Is This Ivory? Bone? Polished Stag?

[Paladin]

I have run across another item that I have questions about. This is a nice knife with a handle that I cannot decide about. I 1st thought it was ivory but there are some black spots on the sides. I decided they must be the haversian canals which do not exist in ivory.
Also, check the photos of the butt end and ricasso. There seems to be a 'core' and I believe this is epoxy filled. I don't think ivory has any sort of core, does it? Bone does and stag may have the core. I have never seen stag polished down to this finish as it would seem to defeat the purpose of stag, appearance wise.
Someone jump in here and let me have your thoughts as to what kind of handle material you think this might be.

Ray

[orvet]

With the checking I would guess giraffe bone.
Certainly looks like bone though.

[knife7knut]

When I first looked at it I thought it was ivory,but looking at the left side handle makes me give pause. I think it is likely polished bone but what type of bone I'm not sure.

[FRJ]

I think it's bone. The back side of the handle seems to say that. It sure absorbed the dye from the sheath.
Nice knife. Somehow I can't warm up to that style of rivet in the center.

[olderdogs1]

I would guess Camel bone.

Tom

[tongueriver]

I am pretty sure it is bone but I don't know what kind. It is not mine, because I can feel all of mine very well when I get up in the morning.

[Paladin]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate all input!

Ray

[terryl308]

I'm sure it is polished bone of some type and undyed giraffe bone would be a good guess. Terry

[Paladin]

Poor old giraffe,, aren't they endangered?
Just kidding, just kidding.
Thanks, Terry

[Tsar Bomba]

Poor old giraffe,, aren't they endangered?
Just kidding, just kidding.

Apparently not in South Africa...

[terryl308]

Ray , apparently a lot of them die of "natural causes" LOL Terry

[orvet]

A new concept for knife handles: lion jigged bone.

Imagine the nice lion tooth jigging one could find on a giraffe shinbone!

[kootenay joe]

I'm voting Warthog tusk ivory.
picture coming soon.
kj

Arno Bernard 7 3/8" "Wild Dog" with Warthog tusk handles.
Similar to OP knife handles, but the same material ? i'm not sure.
kj

[tongueriver]

I'm voting Warthog tusk ivory. picture coming soon. kj
Arno Bernard 7 3/8" "Wild Dog" with Warthog tusk handles. Similar to OP knife handles, but the same material ? i'm not sure. kj

What a beautiful knife, KJ! But I still think the OP knife is bone.

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Calvin. It is a really nice knife, just the size i like, very comfortable & secure in hand and thinly ground razor sharp; beautiful thick sheath too.
It's a knife i don't need but cannot bring myself to sell.
kj

[Tsar Bomba]

Arno Bernard 7 3/8" "Wild Dog" with Warthog tusk handles.

Dangit, KJ, you just gave me another Bernard to tempt me...

[terryl308]

I'm voting Warthog tusk ivory.
picture coming soon.
kj

Arno Bernard 7 3/8" "Wild Dog" with Warthog tusk handles.
Similar to OP knife handles, but the same material ? i'm not sure.
kj

KJ, nice little knife, I like wart hog ivory also, getting a little high priced but at least not restricted yet. This is one I made for a customer back in 2013 with wart hog ivory. Terry

[kootenay joe]

Very nice Terry !!
Do you see the handles on OP knife as being polished bone ? or possibly warthog ivory ?
kj

[terryl308]

Very nice Terry !!
Do you see the handles on OP knife as being polished bone ? or possibly warthog ivory ?
kj

Kj, could be either but looks more like polished, undyed bone to me. If it is wart hog , they sanded it down to get rid of the natural groove that always has a brownish color (due to rooting around on roots). It would take a pretty big tusk to do that but not impossible. So, bottom line is I'm like everyone else, just guessing at this point. Terry

[Paladin]

Very nice Terry !!
Do you see the handles on OP knife as being polished bone ? or possibly warthog ivory ?
kj

Kj, could be either but looks more like polished, undyed bone to me. If it is wart hog , they sanded it down to get rid of the natural groove that always has a brownish color (due to rooting around on roots). It would take a pretty big tusk to do that but not impossible. So, bottom line is I'm like everyone else, just guessing at this point. Terry

Terry,
Check your PMs.

Ray

[terryl308]

sent you a pm

[Quick Steel]

My first gut instinct was camel bone. I'll stick with that call for a while, just don't ask me to defend it.