Thread: Ivory

Just a heads up for those that work with Ivory,want to work with Ivory,plan on selling Ivory scaled Razors.
New federal laws will go into effect in the next 90 days banning interstate sales of all Ivory unless you have have a huge paper trail and costly permits to trade in Ivory.
You will not be able to sell leagally your vintage razors with Ivory scales,Just a heads Up.
U.S. to ban most commercial trade of elephant ivory - latimes.com

I guess they will have to be labeled as "natural" scales or something of the sort.

I think it's silly as long as it's pre-ban. Only problem is that if I purchase a couple slabs from someone, you really cannot be sure if it's pre-ban or not if it's a fresh cut piece...at least for someone with my limited knowledge. Ivory is a wonderful material to work with. I don't condone the slaughter of a elephant for ivory, but if it dies of natural causes I think the whole carcass should be utilized if at all possible. Circus elephants must have their tusks trimmed from time to time as well, this should be legal no matter what. Just another "Law" to add to the stack. I'm sure I am breaking a law sitting here at my PC...

Worst part is the "burdon of proof". How can I prove that my ivory scaled razors are pre-ban? Will these razors be contraband now?

yea, the original law went into effect how many years ago? 40 or so and there's all this "preban" material just lying around. If they don't ban it there is no way to enforce it.

Even if you get caught with it they are not going to prosecute individuals with small amounts. It's mainly for traders and folks with big supplies.

So true Shooter, is no way (without DNA testing) to prove that the pce you buy comes from a legal tusk.
Every oz. of Ivory I have ever sold or used is 100% legal,most 90 to 150 yrs old.
In the past two days I have talked with every major Ivory dealer in the U.S. They are in panic mode as some hold hugh stocks of leagal Ivory.
The law is the law and they all will abide by it.

Can you tell the difference between hippo and elephant ivory?

I think that brings the US into line with a lot of other countries in how the sale of ivory is dealt with. I have no idea of how a raw piece of ivory can easily and quickly be determine to be pre ban even by people knowledgeable in the stuff. I would guess the SOP for enforcement officials would be to take the easy way out and just say no.

That would be a shame and a waste of pre ban ivory especially on razors that were made before the ban and the damage had already been done. Personally I have qualms with owning Sheffield razors , pre 1891, with original ivory scales.

Bob

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

yea, the original law went into effect how many years ago? 40 or so and there's all this "preban" material just lying around. If they don't ban it there is no way to enforce it.

Even if you get caught with it they are not going to prosecute individuals with small amounts. It's mainly for traders and folks with big supplies.

I disagree Big,when the feds totally outlaw Ivory (in about two mos) selling it will be no differant than selling drugs,is the law of the land.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

Can you tell the difference between hippo and elephant ivory?

Absolutly, both are like night and day differant.

I've never worked with hippo is why I ask.

Will it be illegal to even possess it?