Laguiole knife with Ivory of Mammoth handle

Type : Laguiole knife and folding - Savage edition
Raw material of the handle :  Mammoth Ivory
Bolsters : 2 stainless steel bolsters
Spring : Forged bee on forged and guilloched spring
Raw material of the blade : Damascus stainless steel
Size :  22cm opened (8.7in) - 12cm closed (4.7in)

No dishwasher

Delivered with certificate of authenticity

This Laguiole knife is handmade in the Laguiole Le Fidèle workshops near Thiers, France.

It is unique, and the creation process requires over 170 manual operations by the craftsmen.

Mammoth Ivory handle

Introductory notes:
- Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), international trade in elephant ivory is strictly prohibited.
- Trade in mammoth ivory is legal because it is a fossil material. This trade is subject to extremely strict traceability rules in France.

Fossil Mammoth Ivory: A Precious Ice Age Relic

Fossilized mammoth ivory, often referred to as "mammoth ivory" or simply "mammoth tusk," is a remarkable material with unique properties and a captivating history. It differs significantly from contemporary elephant ivory, both in terms of its origin and its characteristics

Mammoth ivory, as the name suggests, originates from the tusks of mammoths, ancient relatives of modern elephants. These massive creatures roamed the Earth during the Pleistocene epoch, with some species surviving until around 10,000 years ago. The tusks of mammoths are one of the most iconic features of these animals and have fascinated people for centuries.

One of the most striking features of mammoth ivory is its age. These tusks have spent millennia buried in the frozen ground of the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, where the cold, permafrost conditions have helped preserve them. This preservation process imparts unique characteristics to mammoth ivory. The ivory often takes on a creamy white to light tan color, and its surface may exhibit a slight texture due to the crystalline structure of the material.

What sets mammoth ivory apart from contemporary elephant ivory is its coloration. Mammoth ivory tends to be lighter in color, often with a more consistent and subtle hue compared to the warm, yellowish tones of elephant ivory. This variation in color is influenced by factors such as the minerals present in the surrounding soil and the length of time the ivory has spent underground.

The texture of mammoth ivory can vary as well. Some pieces display a polished, smooth surface, while others may retain a more natural texture, which can be quite appealing in artistic applications. The texture and coloration of each mammoth ivory piece are unique, making it a sought-after material for the manufacture of Laguiole knife handles.

The extraction of mammoth ivory is a delicate and challenging process, often carried out in the remote and harsh Arctic wilderness. The primary source of mammoth ivory is the permafrost regions of Siberia, where the tusks have been preserved for thousands of years. The thawing of this permafrost due to global warming and erosion has made these tusks more accessible to modern-day ivory hunters.

Hunters and collectors like Karl Gorokhov venture into these remote areas in search of mammoth tusks. They may spend months in desolate landscapes, enduring extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and encounters with polar bears. The ivory tusks can sometimes surface naturally as the permafrost thaws, but often, hunters must carefully excavate them from the frozen ground.

The extraction process can be painstaking. It involves digging, often in freezing temperatures, and requires specialized tools and equipment. Once a tusk is located, it must be excavated with great care to avoid damaging the ivory. Depending on the size and condition of the tusk, extraction can take many hours or even days.

Once removed from the ground, the mammoth tusks are cleaned, preserved, and prepared for sale. Some tusks are sold as whole pieces, while others are used as raw material for various art and craft projects.

Mammoth ivory remains a rare material for the manufacture of Laguiole knife handles, and in French cutlery in general; indeed 90% of mammoth tusks are monopolized by the Chinese market.

Mammoth ivory's unique characteristics make it a prized material for the manufacture of Laguiole knives. Its creamy white to light tan color and distinct texture can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to Laguiole knife handles, grips, and other cutlery components.

In recent years, the use of mammoth ivory for Laguiole knives handles has gained popularity among collectors and connoisseurs. Its rarity and the knowledge that it comes from creatures that roamed the Earth tens of thousands of years ago make it a unique and appealing choice for those seeking a connection to the past in their Laguiole knife.

The pulp of the fossil mammoth tusk and the rind (outside) of the tusk are two distinct parts of the tusk used for making Laguiole knife handles:
- The pulp of the fossil mammoth tusk, also called inner ivory, is the part inside the crust and is characterized by its ivory color and smooth texture.
- The crust of the fossil mammoth tusk is also known as outer ivory. This part is marked by time, due to its prolonged contact of 10,000 years in permafrost; it is less smooth, rough, with unique hues.

In conclusion, mammoth ivory is a fascinating material with a rich history and unique properties. Its extraction from the frozen landscapes of Siberia is a challenging endeavor, and its use for Laguiole knives handles and adds a touch of elegance and history to Laguiole knives and other utensils. As mammoth ivory continues to captivate the imaginations of artisans and collectors alike, it remains a valuable and cherished material in the world of Laguiole knives.