Thread: Ivory Cosmetic Restoration

Does anyone have any ideas for restoring yellowed natural ivory scales to a cleaner/brighter condition? Lemon juice has helped, but scales are still dingy looking. Thanks for reply.

Originally Posted by dancraig

Does anyone have any ideas for restoring yellowed natural ivory scales to a cleaner/brighter condition? Lemon juice has helped, but scales are still dingy looking. Thanks for reply.

If they have got a sort of translucent yellowed look throughout the scale material, then it is going to be arduous - if not impossible - to remove it. The reason for surface yellowing is oxidisation, suinlight, polishing - if only surface deep you can remove it, but to work on the scales properly you will have to (probably) unpin them, sand the surface down to clean material, then work up in grits and buff to a finished lustre. Tripoli is good.

If the yellowing has been caused by (a) oil seepage from enthusiastically over oiling the pivot, (b) rust from being in close contact with a rusted blade, or (c) use of an oil to "shine" the scales up you will not have much joy as it will be uniformly distributed in the thickness of the scales.

Some people advocate the use of serious chemicals - bleaches, etc, that will make the surface look whiter. They also bite into the surface, producing a slight "wooliness" that you have to get rid off with sandpaper, steel wool, etc. However, the disappointing thing is that as the scales regain their former polished glory, the stain becomes apparant again.

If it isn't that bad I would try to live with it. If un-pinning and sanding does not cure it, nothing will - with the possible exception of a long lie in a solvent bath.

Regards,
Neil

One other thing - if they aren't too badly stained, toothpaste will do more than just lemon juice.

Thank-you for all the good information.
I bought the razor from a seller that didn't notice the scales were natural ivory. It wasn't evident until I began to clean the gunk off. After a cleaning the chevron pattern became evident, although faint, on both sides. The pattern, along with passing the hot pin test, seems to indicate natural ivory.
They are clean now, I think I will take your advice and just leave well enough alone.
Thanks again.

Ivory as it ages develops that coloration. It's almost like a patina and is considered desireable. I wouldn't mess with it.

One other thing - if they aren't too badly stained, toothpaste will do more than just lemon juice.

A little "Ultra Brite" and a soft sponge really did brighten things up. Makes sense, ivory scales are just a piece of a huge tooth.

How do you tell if the scales are ivory or some other type of bone

This website will tell you everything you need to know
Society of American Silversmiths - Working With Ivory

Originally Posted by frankcop

How do you tell if the scales are ivory or some other type of bone

Ivory isn't bone, its a kind of tooth and made from dentine, so unlike bone it will not have the nerve/capillary network running through it.

With bone, sometimes organic matter remains in the tiny tubular capillaries, shrinking and darkening with age. It can be disguised by bleaching, but you should be able to see the tiny holes with an eyeglass. Over time the holes get filled with grime and look like a lot dark pin-points or beard stubble. Ivory does not have this look.

There are other pointers, but the above is usually the easiest to see.

Regards,
Neil

I, personally, like yellowed ivory. If you want to get those things white, try either hydrogen peroxide or some over-the-counter tooth whitening products.