All About Pocket Knives

OK, all you helpers out there, can anyone connect me with a craftsman to fix this handle material problem?
I have a Case Classic Hippo Ivory Elephant Toe (Sunfish), dual bull etch, 1 of 3 prototype (see pics) with a Zipper shield. The full description is offered to seal the value of this rare beauty. The knife came to me in the following condition. The ivory is well attached at the center pins on both sides but at both ends, on both sides, the ivory has pulled away from the frame. The ivory is still pinned, but you can stick your fingernail in the gap. To further clarify, when looking at the knife in bottom or top profile, the ivory would appear as a rocker with the middles pinned, and both ends pulled away from the frame on both sides. It is not severe, but is noticable and does affect the value. The rear apparent crack is not, it is a stratification that is only apparent at the surface and is merely more than surface deep.
I would very much like to keep the purchase value of the knife, and I would venture a craftsman could hold the ends down and (re-peen?) the pins, therefore holding (re-attaching?) the ivory down at the frame ends. Is anyone out there qualified, or can you send me in the direction of a person who may fix this w/o ruining the value of the knife by an obvious pin extraction (re-handled look?) Open to other suggestions.
Thanks all,-Glenn

CC Bill?
Bryan?, does Col watch the forums?
Anyone else who is an Ivory guru?
Please help.

Nice looking classic Glenn. Tnx for the info on sig spelling.... On my PM back to you I even spelled your name with an N short!!!! Sorry I can't help with the repair of your knife. It is a beauty though... Ron

Hey Glenn,

What a killer Case Classic - 1996 - 2050 Elephant Toe pattern for sure my knifer friend, it sure would look great in my own Heard! ....I hope some one on this knife site can help you with that repair your in need of , I'M sure there is right guys???


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

I do have an idea. It is a safe one so we won't be repinning and/or cracking your ivory either- I hope. Of all the possible things to try, this is the least invasive. But, of course no one can see the future and I can't rule out a crack.

However, it shouldn't crack.

I do have hippo ivory on hand if worse comes to worse. ( How big is the slab?)

All it needs is to be re-hydrated as the natural oils have been leached out for what ever reason. What to use to re-hydrate is the problem. I can tell you one thing for certain, don't use water......

I have some "STUFF" that is used when you 'bend' ivory. As in musical instruments etc. It hydrates ivory very nicely and safely all of my work has been treated with it when it leaves my studio.

It's the first thing I would try if it where my knife.

I was given this compounded recipe and was sworn to secrecy as to what it contains and what it is used for in ivory working.... I've let half the secret out and that's all the farther I can go. You can send me the knife and I'll give it a try ( I have another idea in conjunction with the re-hydration).........

I hate to sound like a goof ball but these 'secret' recipes take people endless hours of trial and error to come up with and do offer obvious advantages as well as being damn hard to come by.

All we can do is try it. What ever happens, happens. You may have to buy some of this stuff for yourself and treat your knife twice a year for life to keep the moisture level up to the same point it was when it was peened.

What part of the USA do you live in?

I am totally blown away that it hasn't snapped the ivory with pin pressure yet. DO NOT GET IT WET WITH WATER! Water will make it snap!

Colin Paterson aka - realmontanan