Restoration of walrus ivory handle

Oriental-Arms · 21st January 2005, 08:57 PM

Hello Marc and welcome into the restoration dilemma world. Walrus is much harder than horn and do not soften with heating or in any other way. One of the major problems with walrus ivory is its structure of softer inner core and harder outer sector. Unfortunately they shrink with age at a different rates hence walrus handles are usually distorted. If the distortion is not too bad you can try to sand its inner side so it will fit the tang. If you are not in a great hurry, bring it to the meeting in Baltimore and we will look at it.

21st January 2005, 08:57 PM	#2
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	Hello Marc and welcome into the restoration dilemma world. Walrus is much harder than horn and do not soften with heating or in any other way. One of the major problems with walrus ivory is its structure of softer inner core and harder outer sector. Unfortunately they shrink with age at a different rates hence walrus handles are usually distorted. If the distortion is not too bad you can try to sand its inner side so it will fit the tang. If you are not in a great hurry, bring it to the meeting in Baltimore and we will look at it.