Ivory and its substitutes

[CraigC]

I just scanned the article quickly, but I don't think I saw any mention of using Mastodon (Mammoth) ivory.I didn't notice if any grips use Mastodon. Musicians are facing this issue of Ivory too. It is used on bow tips and some pegs on violins, and if it isn't Mastodon, owners need to be able to prove to Fish and Wildlife (who has jurisdiction with Ivory) that the Elephant Ivory used was pre-1975 ban. Otherwise, you can't sell the item. We also have a Steinway piano--1954--that has ivory keys.

I only included what I own personally. If I had thrown in fossil ivory, it would be all knives. Most the fossil ivory looks like it and not like elephant ivory. To me it's in a class all its own. The fossil ivory clean enough to pass for elephant is gorgeous stuff but relatively rare. Actually more expensive than elephant.

 

[CraigC]

This is copied from Arizona Custom Grips. “Magna Tusk.” This is where the comments of better than Ivory as far as durability came from.

I'll say one thing, their marketing is very good!

 

[CraigC]

I did not know this, CraigC. Thank you for the info. My avatar has real ivory grips and I had no idea that mineral oil would slow the decay of real ivory. ( If you can call it "decay", I always thought of it as "ageing gracefully." )
Also, does exposure to light have any relation to the darkening of ivory with age? Thanks again!!!

It just prevents drying and shrinking with age. I agree that it doesn't really decay but it does change beautifully with age.

This is Arizona Custom Grips "magna tusk" ivory substitute, un-aged.
It's dense and heavy feeling almost like ceramic to me. I do like the way it looks, but it has no grain and will never be mistaken for real ivory.
View attachment 994625

It looks good for what it is. I'm giving serious thought to sending them a couple grip frames.

 

[CraigC]

No information on these grips other than I see they have a nice variety of one piece grips with different finishes, and specifically mention a "stag" copy for Uberti SAA.

http://buffalobrothers.net/epages/6...cf4-e93d79a29461/Categories/On_Line_Store/4-B

I have a set from them that I never installed. I may do that in the near future. I was going to age my Pietta 1860 and they would be fitting for it.

 

[Wolfman0125]

They have lots of grip frames for most western style SASS guns. Some you have to specify the frame type or manufacture date stamp code. You can look in their Ebay store to see different styles. I’m not a spokesperson for them or own stock. Just a happy customer who will definitely buy from them again.

 

[Wolfman0125]

I have a set from them that I never installed. I may do that in the near future. I was going to age my Pietta 1860 and they would be fitting for it.

I have a set from them that I never installed. I may do that in the near future. I was going to age my Pietta 1860 and they would be fitting for it.

Buffalo Brothers is not the same company as Arizona Custom Grips. I own both and there is no comparison between the two as far as quality, fit and finish. Arizona has them beat. I bought the Hickok grips and was sorely disappointed in the fit, but Lois at Buffalo Brothers is good people and they were not bad made, just didn’t fit my Colt so I sold them on Ebay and bought something else.

 

[CraigC]

Who said it was the same?

 

[Wolfman0125]

It was on the post speedo66 quoted they posted a link to Buffalo Brothers. Just saying they are not the same as the grips we were talking about. I probably hit the wrong link

 

[Wolfman0125]

My piece on my Peacemaker grips shall now Rest In Peace.

 

[P5 Guy]

All very fine looking and I see your joy in owning these various grip/stocks.
But to my mind that is akin to putting a fancy handle on a screw driver or ratchet wrench.

 

[Wolfman0125]

All very fine looking and I see your joy in owning these various grip/stocks.
But to my mind that is akin to putting a fancy handle on a screw driver or ratchet wrench.

So...your sayin my gun is a total tool? Them’s mighty tall words there pard’ner. I suspect you got the iron t’ back it up? Lol

 

[v8stang289]

All very fine looking and I see your joy in owning these various grip/stocks.
But to my mind that is akin to putting a fancy handle on a screw driver or ratchet wrench.

Guns are indeed tools, but there's no reason a tool can't be also a work of art, or at least be purty to look at.

 

[Wolfman0125]

Yep they are indeed. I was just joshing you by the way.

 

[Kookla]

Really like the look of the resin ivory with those Schreger lines. Does anyone know who's making Blackhawk grips with them? The site has the blanks for sale and I supposed I could get a set and give it a whirl... but I'd like them to not look like they were gnawed out.

 

[StrawHat]

Fancy wood on tools is not appropriate? I have rosewood on many of my hand planes, mahogany on others. If I can find a properly shaped antler, I will put it on one of my No 1 or No 2 handplanes. I also know of several turnscrews (screwdrivers) that have ivory grips.

Kevin

 

[dredd]

I started to do this as a post but the deeper I got, the more I thought, this needs to be an article. And so it is.....

http://www.sixgunner.org/ivory.html

View attachment 992498

I enjoyed this. I appreciate your work.

I picked up a set of Magna Tusks for my 44-40 Vaquero.

I am very pleased with them so far.

 

[Wolfman0125]

Thanks for the article. It was very well done. I like the look and feel of my grips but now I am covetous of those who have real Ivory. I did not know about the Schreger lines. Arizona does make an aged mammoth tusk grip with cracks and pitted look that might be a close facsimile of them. While beautiful, they would not look right on a new gun like mine, but would be awesome on a distressed piece.

 

[Wolfman0125]

My meager collection thus far:

 

[AndyUSMC1107]

I started to do this as a post but the deeper I got, the more I thought, this needs to be an article. And so it is.....

http://www.sixgunner.org/ivory.html

View attachment 992498

CraigC, I make Custom Fitted Handgun Display Cases I sell/take orders for. I too am a big fan of Ivory “handles!” I’m also a Custom Knife-Maker, as as such have laid on a supply of Mammoth/Walrus ivory for knife-making.

As far as the Handgun Cases, I have many handguns wearing faux ivory/ & Plastic as RE: a Schofield BB gun. That’s in a display along w/a Uberti 1873 Colt SAA. Since my made-up Cases are meant to showcase what I can make for a potential customer, and also being a Schrimshander, I scribe crack-lines/Shreager (Sp) lines in the grip butt. After scribing all lines I use Liquitex BASICS ACRYLIC RAW UMBER and BLEU PHTALO TO age the grips.

I’m preparing to make a set of “highly mineralized Ancient Walrus ivory to put on my personal S&W 1905 6” 5-Screw HE 32-20.

I’ll be posting pics when done.

 

[BOISE BADWOLF]

I seen this post and the mention of Arizona custom grips and their Magna Tusk. I felt I had to share my opinion. I have a few sets of Arizona custom grips and both are their Magna Tusk Ivory, one aged and one aged distressed version. The look and feel of these grips is amazing. Very solid grips and when you hold them you can just tell they are not junk. They have held up as they should with stout 44 mag loads and look amazing doin so. The customer service is over and above to say the least. The first set I ordered (distressed version) i had to epoxy together (comes in 3 pieces). Well I had sent a msg with a question at around midnight while putting them together (not expecting a response until the next day and hopefully) and they responded in like 5 min to help me out. I liked the look and feel so much I ended up ordering another set of just the aged version and this time went with the custom fit. I sent my grip frame in and in no time everything came back perfect. I personally really like and recommend Arizona's Magna Tusk. I included a few pictures. Gun is a Traditions 1873 SA .44 mag by Pietta.

 

[Wolfman0125]

I think they are a great alternative to real ivory. I bought a set, and considering some for my 1858 Remington. I bought this set for my Taylor’s 1873 Cattleman.

 

[milemaker13]

Little did I know that when Shane said "a gun is a tool, Marion", he was foretelling the glue-gun-like handguns we carry today.

Ha, glue-gun-like. That a good one too

 

[reedman]

I just googled mastedon handgun grips, and Boone Trading was one of the first ones to show up. Their grips look beautiful, and they are reasonably priced. Since anything I carry is generally IWB or in my pocket, I don't think it would be a smart purchase for me.