Trad Gang

Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: BAO on September 21, 2009, 10:22:00 AM

Title: Elk Ivory
Post by: BAO on September 21, 2009, 10:22:00 AM

Just got back from my first DIY Colorado elk hunt.  I was luck enough to shoot a nice cow with my longbow.  My question is:  What is the best way to clean up the ivories?  Also, I am looking for ideas to use/display the ivories.  Thanks

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: Kip on September 21, 2009, 10:31:00 AM

I had made a gold cap at the top and hung it on a chain arounfd my neck.

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: razorsharptokill on September 21, 2009, 11:06:00 AM

Rings are pretty cool with elk ivory

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: Tree Killer on September 21, 2009, 11:08:00 AM

Quote

Originally posted by BAO:
Just got back from my first DIY Colorado elk hunt.  I was luck enough to shoot a nice cow with my longbow.  My question is:  What is the best way to clean up the ivories?  Also, I am looking for ideas to use/display the ivories.  Thanks

After you scrape off as much gunk from the base, put them in your pocket with a bunch of coins and pack them around for a week. They'll get cleaned up nicely and have a nice shine to them.

Congrats on the cow!    :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: wapiti792 on September 21, 2009, 11:10:00 AM

I had a necklace made up with trade beads and the elk ivory at the center. Cleaning it was easy: Just a little alcohol to clean off the grime and blood with a toothbrush with soap and water. Congrats! Those ivories are something special!

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: Shinken on September 21, 2009, 11:29:00 AM

My preferred method is to go to your local tobacco vendor/smoke shop and get a small cloth/cotton bag of ready to roll leaf.

And like Tree Killa says - after you scrape off as much of the big stuff as you can on the base - drop the ivories into the pouch and tie it off good.

Carry it around in your pocket and when you remember, roll those buglers around in the bag with the tobacco a few times or more each day.  Those ivories will get nice and polished and take on a rich hue.  If they are from an older bull or cow, you will get nice concentric highlights on the worn surfaces.

When you are done, you can make your buddy or someone happy by giving them the pouch of tobacco....

:~)

Happy polishing!

Shoot straight, Shinken

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: Tom Phillips on September 21, 2009, 01:22:00 PM

Rocky Mtn. Scrimshaw does awesome work with Ivories & Bear Claws.Gold & Silver caps of many sizes & shapes.  they have a web-site.

  Congrads on the Elk.

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: doeboy on September 21, 2009, 02:04:00 PM

Guys,

Are we talking teeth? sorry for the dumb question.

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: JimB on September 21, 2009, 02:13:00 PM

doeboy,elk have 2 teeth in the upper jaw which are actually vestigial canine teeth.They are about 1/2" wide,rounded and are actually ivory.They are ivory colored but have amber colored concentric rings and when polished up,make nice jewelry like rings,pendants etc..

Anybody have a picture?If not,I'll try to get one up this afternoon.

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: BAO on September 21, 2009, 02:18:00 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys!

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: MnFn on September 21, 2009, 02:33:00 PM

I had a jeweler make a ring out of them for both of my girls. They turned out very nice.

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: doeboy on September 21, 2009, 02:48:00 PM

Thanks JimB

Title: Re: Elk Ivory
Post by: knobby on September 21, 2009, 03:58:00 PM

Fellow member,"Schlaggerman",makes some nice wildlife jewelry. He recently made up an elk ivory with three diamonds pendant for my wife, and everyone that sees it likes it.
   It's the perfect arrangement. You continue to elk hunt, and she's happy with the results of your successes, especially when there are diamonds involved. That, my friend, is a win/win situation!