for years i wanted to build a cue with a solid ivory handle. i wanted at least 10 inches of ivory, i checked with warther at the time the cost would be close to 1000.00 for a piece of ivory 1 1/4 inches dia by 10 inches long. then it would have to be drilled and cored. i talked to a few other builders, and was told that the ivory could very easily crack in the drilling process. and because ivory is very heavy there might be a weight problem. it looked like a lot of risks. a segmented handle might be a bit better, but i wanted a solid handle. i bought every kind of horn, bone i could find that might be big enough. water buffalo, giraffe leg bone, sambar stag, whitetail, american buffalo, gemsbok, a few others i can't remember and elk antler. i finally found a dealer that cuts 100's of lbs each year of elk sheds he ships to the orient, he saves me all the pieces straight enough, solid enough that might work for handles. its more durable than ivory, it will not break or chip as quick as ivory will, i know its not ivory but a great 2nd.
chuck
