Featured Sheffield knife. Bone or Ivory?

Neat looking knife here by George Clayton & Co. of Sheffield. I can find next to no output by them on google. Nice looking knife I think, despite the condition. Is this ivory or bone? Has that old ivory color and what I believe are the proper striation patterns. It’s quite long, what would it’s purpose be? Desert/cake knife?

 

Ivory

 

There is a number of methods for testing for ivory. One you may hear about at some point in any antiques forum is the hot pin method. This runs the risk of damaging what you are testing, so check out the following link for more options and a breakdown of the hot pin test as well.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/antiquesfyi/tips/damagedone/index.html

 

True. Another vote for ivory. And silver? Any marks?

 

Appears to be Ivory to me also.

 

Looks like you can see the Schreger lines...

 

Ivory for me too. No point in taking a hot pin to the poor thing. Fine steel wool and oil on the blade yes, hot pins no.

 

We do not recommend that here on the board.


Might be part of a fruit serving set.



https://www.acsilver.co.uk/shop/pc/...y-Hall-Co-Antique-Victorian-1881-50p10902.htm

 

Good, neither was I, the link I posted outlines many alternatives to the hot pin method and gives various reasons why it should not be used.

 

Sorry, I didn't click on it to check it out.
Apologies.

 

Schreger lines are only visible in cross sections of tusk. This has naturally been carved going along the length of the tusk, which has a grain of its own, but not called Schreger lines. Ivory cut the long way looks like this:

 

So I live and learn........Thanks, @Bronwen!

 

Poor thing. It needs a good oiling and some steel wool.

 

Thanks I found that and I think one other knife. No other comps.

 

I think it’s likely silver (the collar and bottom cap) but it’s not marked. Those metal pieces are really nicely done either way. No marks that I’ve seen though.

 

Thanks for the link. I was thinking dessert or fruit was my second choice. Something soft obviously.

 

Great to know. It didn’t have zig zaggy pattern but I was pretty sure it was what I thought it was.

 

I’ll try that method thanks!