Elk Ivories - any use on a cue?

fattirewilly

fattirewilly

Member
I have two elk ivories which are sorta tooth looking, about the size of the last joint on your index finger but flatter. They're too small for a ferrule or joint. Can they be used for inlay or other decoration?

I'm not looking to have a cue built right now because I couldn't tell you what I want, but it's possible in a couple years.
 
cueman said:
Small inlays could be cut out of them.
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Not worth the risk of losing fingers at the band saw imo . Elk horn are plentiful and cheap. You can get huge ones cheaply and cut them. Those tips aren't worth the trouble .
 
JoeyInCali said:
Not worth the risk of losing fingers at the band saw imo . Elk horn are plentiful and cheap. You can get huge ones cheaply and cut them. Those tips aren't worth the trouble .
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I would use a belt sander. I actually thought he was talking about the teeth,
 
fattirewilly said:
I was talking specifically about the ivories, not the antler. The ivories are different from the other teeth, info below for anyone curious. Thank you for any comments.

Elk Ivories: What They Are, How to Extract Them, and Why You Should Keep Them (wideopenspaces.com)
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Note: I’m not a cue smith. I’m a wannabe.

Yes. Elk teeth are considered a form of ivory. I read the article, and the author seems oblivious to the fact that what people value changes dramatically over time. Wars have been fought over stuff restaurants give away (black pepper).

My take: Ivory has passed into the realm of nostalgia. Few of the younger generations have even seen Ivory outside a museum. It’s just a gross old tooth carved by somebody who didn’t have decent plastics. Sorry, but time waits for none.
 
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