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All videos I have some new videos showing how to grade work and handle various fossil projects
Mammoth ivory knife handle material link to mammoth not sets, but bark, chunks to cut yourself as well as other fossils for handle material ideas raw mammoth ivory |
Mammoth ivory is popular for knife handles. Here I offer matched sets for use as knife handles. Prices vary due to grade of ivory, color, weight , size . Some will be all natural, some stabilized, some stabilized and dyed. I try to distinguish in the description. All natural can be cost prohibitive! Unstable can fall apart! Some material needs filler in the back to make it flat, fill voids. Most material I find myself and originates here in Alaska and is about 40,000 years old. All is dry and been out of the ground over a year. I make knives myself so understand the fossil needs and can answer questions on suitability etc.
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What gives the colors to the fossils?
Ice-age material is 10 -80,000 years old. Over this time period several factors effect cold, but mostly it is minerals in the soil migrating in. Copper suspended in water gives blues as is turquoise- assurize malachite. Iron tends to offer up reds. Bacterial algae gives greens. Fungus can give purples. Damage to the fossil weak spots take on minerals faster. Temperature and sun effect color, and the fossil can move in an earthquake etc causing new exposure to different areas and thus a color mix within the same fossil.
What does stabilized mean?
Fossils are old, most often a weaker material then the original raw. There can be rot, cracks, serious bends. Such material is unsuited for use in projects. Stabilizing is a way ti fill cracks, impregnate resin, straighten, add desired colors so the fossil material is stronger, more water-resistant and less likely to expand contract or change over time. Many desirable natural desired colors are rare, and expensive. Adding to color to the impregnating resin gives a natural or desired look without the exorbitant price. Rocks like turquoise as well as most woods are 'altered' dyed stained stabilized and fossils are added to this list. All natural or stabilized will be marked and priced accordingly by ethical dealers as with anything from nature taht has been altered.
How is fossil ivory graded?
It is difficult! Not all dealers agree! I used to be a trapper. Fur dealers go by about 26 grades, but furs are bought from trappers- sold to the public in just 3 grades. The fossil market is similar. Solid good color good shape for specific markets like knife makers is easy to grades as high and desirable! Gooig down in grade are warps, inside or outside curves, internal material, cracks and soft spots. If some if this has blue the grade is still high. Material taht needs stabilizing to be dependable is lower grade. The bottom line will be, what will a customer pay and can a craft person turn it into a reasonable profit? You can ruin grade A, or turn grade C into a work of art! In general grade A takes less knowledge and ability to make look nice, the material speaks for itself. Power grades are usually 'a problem,' of one kind or other and a professional understands and can work with the crack the soft spot etc. Lower grades could have more character and treated correctly can be the most desired! This is part of what makes it hard to put a level of desire on it and corresponding price. Outer bark is enamel and tends to be harder so is usually higher grade. I have videos to watch to help choose a grade.
How accurate are measurements-weight?
This is sold as 'raw material.' Each different and unique with minimal work put into it because shop time is $65 an hour and the question comes down to how much of my time do yo wish to pay for compared to how much is materials cost? My weight is most accurate as ivory tends to sell by the weight within a grade category. Thickness can vary by 1/16th so I round up or down or give an average. Measurement is n o more accurate than the width of the bad saw blade. I'm not going to recut it. See specific pieces for more money will have the comment on better accuracy, for those for who it matters a lot. if you have a project requiring exacting fit, square evens, drop me and note and I can tell you if a selected piece will work for your project. Keeping in mind the best flat and square will usually coat more.
Fossil mammoth ivory knife scales 12.5 ounces
$250.00
$200.00
45,000 year old fossil mammoth ivory from the Nenana Riv4r Alaska. 12.5 ounces. 5 x 2 1/4 x 1/2 inches thick. A nice hefty large set,, good color, solid. Some filler on back side so back is flat, should not show when used as knife scales. Could be carved, to dark for scrimshaw I think. Grade B, and price reflects not #1 perfect. A few slight imperfections on the surface, filler in gthe back not top colors souvght after. Very large segt and good price
Knife scales mammoth ivory 2 ounces
$65.00
$50.00
Sold out
4 x 1 x ¼ inches. Nice sold material no cracks good color is shallow. Slight hollow back. A tad on the thin side for some knives, might be best for pocket knife, or pendants.
Mammoth ivory set 14 ounces
$300.00
$210.00
A very large set 5 c 2 3/4 x 1 inch. Maybe for pistol grips (a common hard to get need) Solid but restoration and thin laminate wood back to keep it flat. See pictures. Backing should not show- blends in well just a little on the edge or could be sanded off entirely. Good price for the size. - almost a full pound of material.
Mammoth ivory set 1.3 ounces
$45.00
$40.00
4 x 1 x 1/8th thick inches. Solid, no soft spots or cracks, takes high shine. Hints of blue and gray below surface could be brought out. Nice flat back. Best for folder knife slightly thin and small for hunter skinner style or could bee jewelry material.
Mammoth ivory set 2.6 ounces
$50.00
$45.00
5 1/2 x 1 x 1/4 inches thick. Solid, dark colors run fairly deep.
Mammoth ivory set .8 ounces
$35.00
Sold out
Fossil ivory set for small knife. 2.4 x ½ x 11/4 inches. Cut for pocket knife scales. Ok colors not going deep, (even some blue if you can save it) but descent tans through the thickness. Solid flat back no cracks or imperfections. Good price due to small size and weight (usually sold by the weight)
Fossil mammoth ivory knife scales 1.1 oz
$30.00
Nice smaller set for pocket knife size. 3 3/4 x 3/4 wide x 1/16 thick Weigh's 1.1 ounces. Some natural dark and blue colors running deep. No cracks or flaws. Slight filler in back to ensure smooth flat back.
Fossil mammoth ivory set 1 ounce
$30.00
Small mammoth ivory set 1 ounce. 3 1/4 x 3/4 wide x 1/8th thick. Tan colors not running deep, fades to cream. Uniform, flat no cracks, good shape, strong, hard will take a nice polish.
Fossil mammoth ivory set 1.8 ounces
$70.00
$60.00
Nice set 4 1/4 x just under 1 inch wide x 1/8th thick. Nice dark colors with blue running deep. Stabilized due to this set had some soft spots (now hard). Sight filler in back to ensure smooth flat strong back. Good shape, no cracks. Slightly less then perfect (reflected in discount) due to need of the filler.
fossil mammoth ivory set
$85.00
For knife scales, extra large possibly pistol grips. Filler on back of one side so back can be perfectly flat. Could be sanded past filler, but sacrifice thickness. Some grey and alligator pattern. 4 x 2 x 1/2 inches
Mammoth fossil ivory 3 sets
$100.00
3 rough sets of mammoth ivory bark for knife scales. Great color about 4 x 2 x 1/4 thick. Will require some work, mostly to get the backs flat can be filled (for thicker scales) or sanded flat (easier.) I included plenty of pictures. One set shows back to show waht they need. Price is good since you are not paying for the work to make 'finished scales) The price is about 1/3 of what worth when finshed. Great choice for a knife maker on a budget, someone who wants to do more of the handle work (decdie on thickness and where to stop for color etc)
Fossil mammoth ivory set 4.2 ounces
$60.00
Mammoth fossil bark ivory set (two pieces for knife scales) 4 x 1 3/3 x 1/4 inches. Nice colors. This was thin material I laminated to hardwood back.. This gives plenty of thickness, stops ivory from ever warping, gives a nice fat solid back. Visually not noticeable. Price is about half price over all solid material of this quality.