Elephant Ivory Handles

[Quick Steel]

kj, Given its age I think the condition is quite good. I don't know if there is a way to stop the pin cracks from developing further. Maybe putting on a layer of Renn wax or something similar?

[kootenay joe]

Thanks QS. I think pin cracks in ivory are stable as long as knife is not dropped onto a hard surface. I think the crack occurs with the last tap of the hafter's pin hammer.
The front handle shows no grain and on it's own i would doubt it to be ivory. However the back handle does show some typical ivory grain, so the front handle is also ivory. I mention this so you can know that sometimes ivory will not show any grain.
It does not have "Germany" so could be pre 1891 but more likely F.Herder did not export to USA in early 1900's. Anyone know if or when F. Herder knives were imported into USA ? Note: there are about 5 "Herder" knife manufacturers; this one is "Friedr. Herder Abr.Sohn" ( or "F. Herder"). The crossed keys logo was registered in 1848. Their more well known logo is the Spade that goes back to 1727.
kj

[BWT]

Roland can't help you with the knife information, but it's a beauty!!!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Thanks QS. I think pin cracks in ivory are stable as long as knife is not dropped onto a hard surface. I think the crack occurs with the last tap of the hafter's pin hammer.
The front handle shows no grain and on it's own i would doubt it to be ivory. However the back handle does show some typical ivory grain, so the front handle is also ivory. I mention this so you can know that sometimes ivory will not show any grain.
It does not have "Germany" so could be pre 1891 but more likely F.Herder did not export to USA in early 1900's. Anyone know if or when F. Herder knives were imported into USA ? Note: there are about 5 "Herder" knife manufacturers; this one is "Friedr. Herder Abr.Sohn" ( or "F. Herder"). The crossed keys logo was registered in 1848. Their more well known logo is the Spade that goes back to 1727.
kj

Roland, Simple elegance is the phrase that comes to mind when I see this knife. Very nice.
SSk

[kootenay joe]

I bought it from Bill Claussen who said it came from the Herder Factory display and that it dates to 1880's. He bought much or all ? of the display.
kj

[RobesonsRme.com]

That's awfully white for hundred+ year old ivory.

Beautiful knife.

Charlie Noyes

[kootenay joe]

My understanding is that ivory darkens from contact with skin oils. If never handled the color does not darken. I have some ivory carvings that were purchased as antiques in London about 1910-1914. Some of these are 'white' and have not changed since i first saw them at about age 5 (67 years ago). They are stored in a metal lock box with cotton wool padding. (even the cotton wool is antique, better quality than what you can get now)
kj

[Rocketman]

presumably one of one....bark ivory. Case Classic.

[Quick Steel]

Beautiful knife Rocketman.

[woodwalker]

That is sweet!!

[kootenay joe]

Wow, that is quite a knife ! Made by Queen ?
I have a Queen 'Baby Sunfish' with similar looking ivory.
kj

[doglegg]

Nothing compares to ivory. Very lovely.

[Montanaman]

Beautiful knives in this thread

ABS Master Smith Steve Dunn, sole authorship, elephant ivory

[doglegg]

Yes Sir Kris, yes Sir!!!

[Montanaman]

Yes Sir Kris, yes Sir!!!

Thanks doglegg, it is a very nice knife, IMO. Here is a favorite of my that I used to carry a lot. ABS M.S. John White passed away a few years ago. He was an amazing man, stellar knife maker, and a terrific wood worker, and a few folks are lucky enough to own one of his canoes. Differentially heat treated 1084. Paul Long sheaths

[kootenay joe]

Wow Kris you do have some special knives and i know it is not easy to get hold of the 'special' ones. Not every knife a custom a knife maker creates has this 'instant appeal', that these 2 do.
kj

[Old Hunter]

Yes Sir Kris, yes Sir!!!

Thanks doglegg, it is a very nice knife, IMO. Here is a favorite of my that I used to carry a lot. ABS M.S. John White passed away a few years ago. He was an amazing man, stellar knife maker, and a terrific wood worker, and a few folks are lucky enough to own one of his canoes. Differentially heat treated 1084. Paul Long sheaths

aapkivoryWhite.jpg

Wow Kris, that is a lifetime knife right there - simply perfect! OH

[Rocketman]

Wow, that is quite a knife ! Made by Queen ?
I have a Queen 'Baby Sunfish' with similar looking ivory.
kj

Thanks, it is a Case. I’ve had it for many years. Have a few other Case Ivory’s that are supposed to be one of a kind or one of less than 5-10 mostly prototypes. I presume not enough handle material to enter production. Just prototypes and salesman’s samples.

[Rocketman]

Yes Sir Kris, yes Sir!!!

Thanks doglegg, it is a very nice knife, IMO. Here is a favorite of my that I used to carry a lot. ABS M.S. John White passed away a few years ago. He was an amazing man, stellar knife maker, and a terrific wood worker, and a few folks are lucky enough to own one of his canoes. Differentially heat treated 1084. Paul Long sheaths

aapkivoryWhite.jpg

That is a fine piece of work right there.

[Rocketman]

Beautiful knife Rocketman.

Thanks! I’ve held on to it and quite a few others about 20 years now. Take them out of the box once or twice a year, caress them and love on them a bit, then put them back. Lol.

[Rocketman]

Presumably 1 of 1, Case, Bark Ivory, Red Cartridge

[Rocketman]

Proto...

[Rocketman]

Beautiful knives in this thread

ABS Master Smith Steve Dunn, sole authorship, elephant ivory

aapkivoryDunn.jpg

Stunning knife.

[Montanaman]

Wow Kris you do have some special knives and i know it is not easy to get hold of the 'special' ones. Not every knife a custom a knife maker creates has this 'instant appeal', that these 2 do.
kj

Wow Kris, that is a lifetime knife right there - simply perfect! OH

That is a fine piece of work right there

Stunning knife.

Thanks folks, I really appreciate the comments. Beautiful ivory on those Case's rocketman

[Rocketman]

Wow, that is quite a knife ! Made by Queen ?
I have a Queen 'Baby Sunfish' with similar looking ivory.
kj

I think it was actually made by Queen for Case. Supposed to be a Case Classic.