Ivory

[arfer1943]

I have an old antique intricately carved Ivory item that has snapped in two. It is a fairly slender handle that snapped at the thinnest part.

It is of no great value, but I would like to try to repair it.

Any ideas as to what method I should use to produce a reasonably invisible repair. Needless to say the handle won't be used as a handle again, once repaired.

[northwood bob]

Tough question. The trade of ivory is illegal in some instances so many do not know how to deal with the substance. i would first try an epoxy most probalby the 5 minute variety. You should be able to clean the glue that ooozes out of the break fairly easily without harming the adjoining material.

You may also want to post this in the "Carving Materials" section. There may be someone there that has used Ivory in the past.

You may want to take care in assuming that the piece has limited value, you may be supprised

Goog luck and Happy Holidays
Bob

[Steve Reed]

Arfer, SUPER GLUE! The carvers friend. I would go with the "gel" variety. Ivory is fairly dense, and I would think it would work fine. Be careful after gluing that you don't set it on anything or it will bond to that. If you must set it down, put it on wax paper.
Just my opinion, others may differ.
Steve

[Ozark mountain carver]

I agree completely with the super glue method. I would recommend going to a hobby shop and spending the extra few bucks on a good quality thick glue, and also get an accelerator to make the repair WAY less frustrating and a whole lot less messy. The best way is to do this job is with a freind.

Coat each surface to be joined lightly (that is a key word) with the glue, press together firmly, and have your freind spray the joint with the accelerator. You want just enough glue to wet the joint, no excess or driping wet areas wanted here. The glue will set litterally instantaneously when it is sprayed, so you want to be sure you have things where you want them before the accelerator is applied.

You will be amazed at how many uses you will find after you have these two items, they are lifesavers when carving and when doing many other things around the shop and house.

[docdredd]

If I may can I suggest a web site that you may want to check? The Carving Path (Powered by Invision Power Board)
These people do Fine art carvings with Ivory , jade and precious metals. Im sure that some one there would be happy to answer a fellow carvers questions.

[Dagwood]

Well this out of left field and i dont want to ofend anyone by saying it so sorry up front..... I have a friend who makes things out of real IVORY. he uses the "MALE" bone from a Raccoon. As they are Ivory and 100% legal... well so long as your not killing them out of season... etc. he is kinda a mt man and get his right off the road ways... nasty ut he makes some really amazing stuff... Figured "MALE BONE" would be a nicer way of saying it

[chipmunk]

hi, everyone ivory is just a other word for a solid bone calcium with no marrow crazy glue works well on skin,teeth,bone all natural things if u ever used crazy glue u know that it will glue your fingers before it glues the pc. u r gluing together and the only way to get them apart is w/ acetone i use the acetone fingernail polish remover from the dollar store for i use alot of crazy glue,duct tape,zip ties,vise grips if they didn't make them i would be lost,,lol a country boy can survive

[Big Barn]

have you tried mending it with a piece of tagua nut/vegetable ivory? You'll have to use some type of power tool, that stuff is REALLY hard...

[chipmunk]

Originally Posted by Big Barn

have you tried mending it with a piece of tagua nut/vegetable ivory? You'll have to use some type of power tool, that stuff is REALLY hard...

hi, big barn, if u soak the tagua nut in water for a little it will be softer then u can carve it fairly ez once dry it will be hard as a nut!!

[medicinedog]

I was just in TreelineUSA.com and they had Ivory (pre ban) for sale. Its not cheap, I would try the super glue first.
Larry