Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Mesophilic on April 15, 2020, 04:39:40 pm

Title: Piano key ivory
Post by: Mesophilic on April 15, 2020, 04:39:40 pm

My neighbor is hauling off an old piano to the dump.  I popped the ivory off the keys, cause no sense in wasting good legal ivory.

Aside from inlay, anyone have some other interesting ideas I could do with it?

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: osage outlaw on April 15, 2020, 04:41:55 pm

I used them in tip overlays

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: Stoker on April 15, 2020, 04:52:28 pm

Don't forget the Ebony keys. 8)
Thanks
Leroy

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: Handforged on April 15, 2020, 05:28:56 pm

scrimshaw? Not sure how thick the ivory is on some of those older pianos. Some had solid keys while others were just a thin veneer about 1/16" thick.

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: Mesophilic on April 15, 2020, 06:31:37 pm

These are the thin veneers, as you described about 1/16" thick.

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: EdwardS on April 15, 2020, 07:37:28 pm

It's beautiful for scrimshaw.  It's also tough enough for strike plates and even nock inserts.  Ivory to me is a joy to work.

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: Mesophilic on April 15, 2020, 07:53:01 pm

Didn't even think about strike plates...thanks!

I'm guessing they used hide glue back in the day because a brief soak in warm water and the little bits of wood stuck on to them slide right off.   I also noticed that they used some kind of toothing tool because the glue sides are definatly ridged.

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: EdwardS on April 15, 2020, 08:21:55 pm

Yeah, everything on an old piano is hide glue.  Those ebony keys are awesome too.

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: Pat B on April 15, 2020, 09:36:52 pm

Spines for reinforced self nocks on arrows.

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: Mesophilic on April 16, 2020, 01:21:36 pm

I have some long skinnier pieces from the back part of the keys...would work great for nock reinforcements.  The veneers were laid down in two pieces for most of the keys.

Title: Re: Piano key ivory
Post by: JEB on April 16, 2020, 03:04:29 pm

Just wunderin? When did they quit using ivory?  Every once in awhile you see a craigslist add for a free piano. I would take it and scrap it out just for the keys. Would love to foot some arrow  self nocks with ivory.