Hello AR,

I have a set of 40lb tusk that was taken in Zimbabwe back in 2011. Both tusk have cracks and are breaking up? I live in the Canadian Arctic, and the humidity in my house is normal as with the temp inside the house. Is this normal for Elephant tusk to crack?

Thank You in advance.

The humidity factor may seem normal to you but is obviously not to your ivory.

The "atmospheric" conditions in which your ivory is stored must be very dry with very little or no humidity which has resulted in the tusks to dehydrate to the point of cracking.

As a preliminary course of action it might be wise to submerge them in water for at least a week to re-hydrate then look at the different options available to "seal" the pores and prevent dehydration.

go shoot another elephant

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As crazy as it sounds I water all my ivory twice a year ( soak it for 24 - 48 hrs). I also apply baby oil to all my warthog tusks twice a year as well as cats teeth ( leopard skull and Leo skulls).

Direct sunlight, heat and dryness are all harmful !

Charlie

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I would promptly consult with a competent taxidermist before doing anything at all.

Same problem here (also around the artic circle)

Joe,

My ivory also cracked lengthwise while I lived in Cody,WY which is another dry place. I put several adjustable metal hose clamps on the ivory to retard the further cracking and took the tusks to my taxidermist who injected epoxy into the cracks and also filled the nerve hole with epoxy. Once it dried we removed the hose clamps and all has been fine for the last two years.

Mark

A taxidermist at a Safari Show once recommended that I use mineral oil on elephant ivory to keep them from cracking.

To be honest I have never tried that. As for soaking in water, I don't have a bathtub big enough to hold my tusks.

BH63

Scotts liquid gold works for me. Six years and no cracks.

Liquid gold on all my horns and antlers

quote:

Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
A taxidermist at a Safari Show once recommended that I use mineral oil on elephant ivory to keep them from cracking.

To be honest I have never tried that. As for soaking in water, I don't have a bathtub big enough to hold my tusks.

BH63

Use your imagination. Can you not find a plastic kiddie pool or something similar to use?

I live in the desert Southwest, so this was a concern for me. Have used baby oil on my two sets of tusks, applied sparingly and generally once a month. So far, so good for 14 years. And this followed the recommendation of a competent taxidermist.

I understand that museums use a special wax for elephant tusks, for what that's worth.

quote:

Originally posted by BuffHunter63:
A taxidermist at a Safari Show once recommended that I use mineral oil on elephant ivory to keep them from cracking.

To be honest I have never tried that. As for soaking in water, I don't have a bathtub big enough to hold my tusks.

BH63

Try digging a trench that they'll fit in, then line it with a plastic tarp and fill with water. It should work.

Bill Quimby

Thank You for all your replies. Very good info. I will soak them and oil and or seal the tusk. I have Ivory from a Warlus and they have never cracked as of yet and they are old, must be different than Elephant Ivory.

Once again thanks for all the replies. I think the best advice is to go get another set? HEHEHE

I am guessing the walrus are holding up better as the humidity they were harvested in is similar to how they are stored/displayed now.
shane

quote:

Originally posted by npd345:
I am guessing the walrus are holding up better as the humidity they were harvested in is similar to how they are stored/displayed now.
shane

The cracking/splitting of ivory is related to its molecular structure (grain density).

Elephant ivory has less density compared to Hippo and Walrus and dehydration is likely to affect the former faster than the latter two which are denser and therefore harder.

Hippo ivory tends to split lengthwise in de-humidified conditions, typical of European (cold climates) where heaters are deployed so ensure you have a jug of water or humidifier present and maintain a minimum 40% humidity level.

Oiling or waxing the ivory once a year will do it more good than harm and recommended in preventing excessive dehydration.

I have never heard of or seen Elephant or Hippo ivory split or crack in tropical Africa where levels of humidity are very high compared to Europe or USA.

I've never had a problem, but I live in Houston. It's not quite Dar, but not far different at least half the year.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I've never had a problem, but I live in Houston. It's not quite Dar, but not far different at least half the year.

Ivory will not crack/split in a hurry as dehydration does not happen overnight.
I have had ivory which was stored in Europe crack over a period of approximately 5-6 years and have only myself to blame for being negligent/lazy by not doing the recommended "maintenance".

My elephant ivory is about 14 years old and shows absolutely no signs of cracking and I live in a dry climate (Denver).

I think keeping the ivory out of direct sunlight is important (mine reside in a man cave).

BH63

Tusks are prone to split if you don't brace the ends after the nerve is extracted..wrap with tape or have a taxidermist install a clamp or brass cap..fill the nerve hole with plastic wood or epoxy..Your tusks can be repaired by a taxidermist at any rate.

Called my taxidermist, he said they fill the nerve end with epoxy and has never had any crack. Told me not to do any think to them.

My tusks were mounted by Jonas Bros of Denver. Perhaps that is why I don't see any cracking on them.

I do believe that spending extra money on your trophy mounts pays off over the years. Both my Cape Buff mounts (which are over 10 years old), look as good as they did when I first got them.

I've seem other mounts where the ears have started to crack.

BH63