https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/...omas_industry_update&tinid=221559707
Just thought some might find this new material interesting.

Synthetic Ivory was used in the late 1800's when the demand for ivory billiard balls was putting excessive pressure on elephant herds. Ever since then, there have been cheaper substitutes for real ivory. The big advantage to using 3-D printing to make plastic grips will be the cost savings from not having to make an expensive injection mold for very small production runs.

The real thing will likely always be more desirable, and poachers will continue to get big bucks for real ivory on the black market.

A fairly new (to me anyway) artificial resin ivory is very nice to work with and has the look and feel that is so very close to that of the real thing . Called Resin-Ivory+S it is not at all expensive to buy in block or sheet form. Knife maker supply places usually have it.
Maybe it's sold under other names I'm not familiar with.

The real stuff will always be just that.

There are some places where artificial ivory just won't get it done ............IMO

Like an 1830s style coffin handled bowie.

Now that's just absolutely beautiful. Your work? I have a couple of BBQ 1872 open tops with ivory grips and some single actions with synthetic grips. You can feel the difference.

No, not my work. I designed the knife and made the pattern, but my dear friend who made knives for rendezvousers, and who hunted my land for deer, wanted to make me the knife I would want to have if money were no object. That is my "dream" knife. Genuine elephant ivory. And, every steel part of the knife is 320 layer damascus. The scale rivets are brass.

Not sure that comment was addressed to me, but if it was thanks for the positive comments, SRH

Stan, that is one very cool knife! Can you have legal elephant Ivory nowadays or is that documented old ivory? I'm just asking because I don't know the answer to that...Geo

I don't know the answer to either question, Geo. I've had the knife about 20 years, and don't know how old the ivory was before that. Heck, I don't even know the regulations about owning it.

Just found this:

On July 6, 2016, a near-total ban on commercial trade in African elephant ivory went into effect in the United States. The information on this webpage is intended to provide guidance for those who wish to buy, sell, or otherwise trade in elephant ivory. It’s important to note that the new regulations do not restrict personal possession of ivory. If you already own ivory – an heirloom carving that’s been passed down in your family, or a vintage musical instrument with ivory components, those pieces are yours. We know those items created long ago aren’t threatening today’s wild elephants.

I knew about the ban in ivory trade; I just couldn't remember when it went into effect. I think the information you posted answers my question. Something you needed to be aware of anyway. Don't take it to Canada with you if you go hunting up there. Thanks...Geo

Last I heard the African Elephant is not on the endangered list.

Elephant ivory brought into this country after the mid 1980s has been illegal to sell in any form or fashion for a very long time.

Sale and importation of Ivory has been documented for years and years....myself I don't think there ever was a lot of illegal ivory smuggled into this country.
We have alot of people that went to Africa hunting and killed lots of game including lots of Elephants I know of lots of people around Memphis that killed more than their share.

You have to be a hunter to realize this ivory is a trophy....you dont have to like it but Elephants weren't endangered by hunters.

All Obama's law did was punish the people thats ancestors went over to Africa hunting years ago by blocking the sale of the trophy ivory after the hunters death.

In most states raw legal pre mid 1980s ivory is legal to sell with in state lines if you have documentation.

They're are exceptions to this. In most liberal states...Yankee states up the east coast and Yuppie states up the west coast and most pot head states like Colorado....some even went so far as making of 10,000 year old Mammorh ivory illegal to buy or sell.

I'm in Tennessee say I had a Colt with pre 1980s ivory grips and I wanted to sell it on Gunbroker I could legally sell it to a guy Georgia but not to New York...take the grips off the gun and you can not sell the grips alone across state lines.

There's a twist in the law that gives a percentage. I believe it can't be over 50 % of the product or 50 % of the value of the product. Main trouble with using ivory to make things is you can not buy or sell it in raw form across state lines

Unless you're unfortunate enough to live in one of the Commie states....then the restrictions are greater.

I must say Sanford I would've went for a few more brass pins in that butt ugly coffin handle. That knife was a waste of good ivory....shewww.

You must enjoy being wrong frAnk, it seems to be the case more often than not. Colorado has no State laws regarding Elephant ivory or Mammoth ivory.

Have you been putting bourbon on your cheerios again?

https://kniferights.org/state-ivory-ban-summary/

Go smoke another jOint Stevie...

You are the one blowing smoke frAnklin....

I was surprised by the ideas that illegal ivory trade is not an issue in the US and that elephants are not considered endangered. I can't find anything to support either idea.

re the conservation status of African elephants:
"African elephant species now Endangered and Critically Endangered - IUCN Red List "

and re: America's role in the illegal international ivory trade:
USFWS Article Regarding US Ivory Trade

Traffic.org article about US illegal ivory trade


As far as I can tell African elephants certainly are endangered and the United States certainly is a part of the international ivory trade that makes poaching a persistent problem.

I'm afraid most of us don't share your gift for distinguishing good taste in the use of ivory. How could we forget the breath-taking use of ivory on your Benelli Super-Duper Black Eagle?

The more I get to know about yOu the more comforted I am every time yOu don't agree with me. This is just one more exAmple.

Trust me Wood'roe America is not to blame for everything.

Several years back they were taken off the endangered list and limited hunting was allowed....I guess they're back on 'some lists.

Here's what I came up with....quote

"With an estimated 415,000 elephants left on the continent, the species is regarded as vulnerable, although certain populations are being poached towards extinction. ... With only 40,000-50,000 left in the wild, the species is classified as endangered"

The illegal ivory trade goes to China and Japan.....got to like the confiscated ivory tourists trinkets pictured in your link.

With today's liberal media I'm sure if any Ivory was caught entering the United States it would be front page news.

Sanford the ivory gear shift knob in my truck has more soul than that bowie.....

That's good, 'cause the inlay in your SBE sure doesn't.

My Randall will eat that Pak'estan damascus for lunch...

I never cease to be amazed at the improvements in deep thinking that you are exhibiting lately. You're certainly making progress!

Where are you now, at about the 5th grade level?

You can buy mammoth or walrus ivory in Alaska, it just has to have been worked (very little work required) by a native. I much prefer mammoth to elephant. Elephant looks like plastic.

Mammoth does not need to be worked...myself I wouldn't touch Walrus ivory with a 50 ft pole