IZZIT Ivory orIZZINTIT?

[mrwatch]

let me be clear, I would say that if you have a knife scale off or a ring for a fixed blade knife off then maybe try the back or underneath side before putting it back on so it will not show. They are talking things like the ivory on antique piano keys and a tiny ring on a violin bow or bagpipes is a no-no. Thinks for the read and the link as I have asked several stores for a black light flashlight. Although I collect rocks and fossils. They list more than one wave length of black light depending on what the use is. I will order one of these. I hope that they never start going into antique malls and shows and start confiscating things like an old Nets-key or bracelet charms and scrimshaw etc.

[bestgear]

If they come for my 120 year old piano from the Ukraine, I'm going to do 88 years - that's when I'll be the artist formerly known as bestgear.

[kootenay joe]

Quote mrwatch: "I hope that they never start going into antique malls and shows and start confiscating things like an old Nets-key or bracelet charms and scrimshaw etc."
I cannot see this happening. There are so many more pressing needs to address, like poverty, unemployment, worsening hurricanes & tornadoes, etc.
I sincerely hope resources are put towards helping people who really need it rather than chasing around after bits of old ivory.
kj

[Beechtree]

Lovely Line Up K7K! This is a great example of the different ivory patterns. About the late 1700s ivory was also dyed a green color!
MrWatch, I think K7K's use of a magnifier to see the grain is the best way to tell if something is ivory, composite ivory or synthetic. The faux stuff really only does a pretty mediocre job at looking like ivory. I think are the most difficult genuine ivory to distinguish is the type that is so white it is hard to discern a grain pattern; and the ones that are cut in such a way as to leave small holes that can be mistaken for the haversian canals (small black dots) of smooth bone.

[knife7knut]

Lovely Line Up K7K! This is a great example of the different ivory patterns. About the late 1700s ivory was also dyed a green color!
MrWatch, I think K7K's use of a magnifier to see the grain is the best way to tell if something is ivory, composite ivory or synthetic. The faux stuff really only does a pretty mediocre job at looking like ivory. I think are the most difficult genuine ivory to distinguish is the type that is so white it is hard to discern a grain pattern; and the ones that are cut in such a way as to leave small holes that can be mistaken for the haversian canals (small black dots) of smooth bone.

Thanks for the kind words. I had completely forgotten about the green dyeing of ivory;thanks for reminding me. I would agree that the smooth ivory is the most difficult to discern. I am NOT in favor of any destructive method of testing ANY material. I have several beautiful little fob knives in my collection that have been disfigured by someone doing an acid test to see if they are gold.

[Beechtree]

^

[Dixieland Sam 44]

Hello
I’m new to the class here. I may not be on the correct thread on the IVORY pocket knife SCALES, but hopefully my navigational skills will come on in time.
I’ve been collecting knives for decades, I’ve got some little Sheffield knives with scales that I’m sure are genuine Ivory of some type. However personally I have way more questions about this handle material than answers, even after what I consider a “large amount” of research on the material itself. So collectors, shockingly to me, will almost refuse to discuss it! Folks can pretend “it’s” not there but we all know it is because we’ve seen it, whether you knew
what you were looking at or not. So any and all relevant and certain information on this will be handy. Here’s a few “facts” that I believe to be true:
-Whale,Walrus,Elephant,Warthog and maybe Hippo teeth were commonly used for scales.
- There is the “French Ivory” angle, which appears to be Ivory pieces ground to dust, glued and pressed to form.
- Ivory can be extremely difficult to differentiate between bone that’s been slicked up and very high quality Celluloid -that some makers obviously had and might be darn near impossible to identify unless it’s in your hand (hence low internet sales).
- Collectibility?? . In 90% of knife value references that I’ve seen, Ivory and Tortoise shell are the top 2 most valuable handle materials out there, yes, worth more than stag and pearl-sometimes combined. Also no one has to mention how rare the two are in the general collectible knife marketplace.
- Controversial?? The ‘deed’ has been done way over 100 years ago. The international enforcement focus has always been on stopping the ‘deed’ itself and arresting the very worst actors involved. Antique Collectible ivory pocket knives will always be around and available.
This is really not as much information as it seems and might be debatable. So what can y’all add or subtract from this??