06-13-2013, 10:46 AM
@Damian There is no comparing the two, really. Faux ivory looks nice, but it remains acryl. Real ivory, be it mammoth or elephant, has a pattern which is not replicated in faux ivory, the Schreger lines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schreger_line . So even top class faux ivory has the growth line patterns (like rings in a tree) well done, but misses these characteristic lines.
The quality of mammoth ivory is very dependant on the conditions the tusk has been buried in (and how it was treated after having been found). When nearer to the surface, it is subject to thawing and will crack, if in an environment rich in minerals, mineralisation will take place, both changing the structure due to the fossilisation proces and the colour.
In the case of this sword, a piece of tusk was used which had remained in very good condition. Only a small portion of the tusk was used, as a spatha handle does not need all that much, if carefully cut.
The quality of mammoth ivory is very dependant on the conditions the tusk has been buried in (and how it was treated after having been found). When nearer to the surface, it is subject to thawing and will crack, if in an environment rich in minerals, mineralisation will take place, both changing the structure due to the fossilisation proces and the colour.
In the case of this sword, a piece of tusk was used which had remained in very good condition. Only a small portion of the tusk was used, as a spatha handle does not need all that much, if carefully cut.
