cutting up elephant tusks

T

Travis Fry

Well-Known Member
I may have the opportunity soon to saw down a pair of pre-ban, fully legal elephant tusks into knife handles/scales. I have at my disposal 1) a cheap wood cutting bandsaw with a thin blade and large teeth 2) a metal bandsaw with a bi-metal blade, i think 14tpi but maybe 18 (can't remember, bought it from Tracy) 3) a table saw, 4) a scroll saw, and 5)numerous hand saws.

I know I need to go slow and be careful to avoid ANY heat buildup, not to dunk it in water, etc., but I've never sawn a whole tusk before. Can anyone offer any pointers? Which saw should I use? What TPI? How do I lay out my cuts?

Any help is appreciated.
 
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Call Charlie Turnage and talk to him,he is the tusk cuttin expert.I messed up a nice chunk of Mammoth once and now I just send it to Charlie and have him cut it up.
His web site is fineturnage.com

Stan
 
You could also go to the Boone Trading Company site. I think that they have some information on working with ivory there.

Doug
 
Stan,
You and I are on the same page. As soon as I got off the phone with the maybe customer that has the tusks, I called Charlie. He was out, but I'll try again before I cut anything.
 
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