Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Ivory handle stain question

I recently built a knife and handled it with some walrus ivory I brought back from Goodnews Village AK. Does ivory stain easy from blood etc????? How can it be treated to minimize staining??

Ivory is very porous and will absorb just about anything it comes in contact with. Left alone, it will turn to a mellow color but can be whitened up by brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste; it is after all, tooth material. It's not the most durable material for a working knife and requires special care and handling. These sites may help:

Smithsonian Center

Mel Fisher

I make quite a few knives each year with Walrus, and Mastadon handle scales. I would not catgorizethem as serious users.

If it's follilized--it's Brittle--if not it is too Porus--like Mac said.

Both Walrus and Elephant ivory handles have something in common.

It is not a matter of --IF they will Crack--it's just a matter of When.

Just going from the stable--dry conditions of your home to a damp Hunting trip will begin to Crack or Check these materials.

I have been told that Stabalized Giraffe Bone is much Better.--I have NOT found that to be any better. It is Brittle and will crack and shatter like fossilized Mammoth if dropped.

If you want a stable natural material for a handle use Antler or Big Horn Sheep, Impala or any of the Stag Bones. Smooth Indian Buffalo Horn is another one that WILL check and Crack over time no matter what you do.

Mike............................. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks guys. Mike----I have used all the other materials you mentioned plus some. This is the first time I did anything with ivory. This first time use of ivory will be for me personally and I will use it. I just wondered exactly what to expect, and it appears I had it about right. I am working my way up to working with some mammoth ivory.

WMacD----------read the info you noted. I had been told by someone that a light coat of mineral oil would help protect some from the atmospheric conditions. I saw nothing like this mentioned in the info. I have been keeping the handle well treated with Renessaince Wax, hoping it would help as I do intend to carry and use this particular knife some. I personally like some "character" in my handle material and that usually is some form of aging or some unique patern in the material.
MacD or Mike----think either the wax or the mineral oil is worth the effort? of just accept what I get over time?

Bernard Levine is a big proponent of using mineral oil for preservation purposes, but I think he suggests it to protect blades, not porous handle material like Ivory or leather. I have just started using Renaissance Wax on some carbon steel knives that I cleaned up but have no long-term experience with it. It might prevent some staining but I don't think it will stop the expansion and contraction of the Ivory due to temp and humidity changes.

I bought my wax from Dennis Blaine, the importer of Renaissance Restoration products here in the U.S. You might want to give him a call and talk to him about how to protect Ivory, he's also a knife nut and should know what's best in your situation. He spent about a 1/2 hour on the phone with me before I placed an order and is a great guy.

Renaissance Wax

I have never used that brand of wax.

I do use liquid floor wax.

It will seal out the air and help protect the moisture and humidity from attacking the knife.

It will not help with variations of temperature but I think it will slow the deteriation of the natural materials.

It is easily removed with Denatured Acohol if you ever want to strip it off.

Every knife we make is passivated after the knife is 100% finished. ( both carbon and stainless blades)

I'm a firm believer that steel and some other materials have a memory.

I make sure that they remember Oil.

We use a very special custom--hard to get--secret oil for passivating the finished knives. It is called 10w-30.

Mike............................ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Forgot to mention.

We also wax all natural handles.

Again--Super Secret Wax.

It is made by Bees.

I think it is called Beeswax.

don't tell anyone--We guard these secrets so that our knives have mystical powers.

Mike........................... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mike... your a funny one.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

ELF,

Ya Gotta have a Little Fun.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />