This is a piece of walrus oosik (google it) it is fossilized from an ancient walrus.
As you can see it is large enough for a pen blank; a little over 3/4 inches diameter and about 4 3/4 long.
It has the look and feel of ivory, but it is fossilized bone. In the center there is a visably open pourus area, something like you might find in antler or small animal bones.
Given that a walrus has the largest body size to legnth ratio for this body part, I think there might be an upscale pen buyer with enough ego to want this pretty badly (meet Bob).
I've been <s>holding on to it</s>, make that, "I've owned it" for a year or so but am a little reluctant to start working on it. It is only moderately valuable but I would hate to destroy something that is thousands of years old.
Has anyone had any experience drilling and turning this material?
As you can see it is large enough for a pen blank; a little over 3/4 inches diameter and about 4 3/4 long.
It has the look and feel of ivory, but it is fossilized bone. In the center there is a visably open pourus area, something like you might find in antler or small animal bones.
Given that a walrus has the largest body size to legnth ratio for this body part, I think there might be an upscale pen buyer with enough ego to want this pretty badly (meet Bob).
I've been <s>holding on to it</s>, make that, "I've owned it" for a year or so but am a little reluctant to start working on it. It is only moderately valuable but I would hate to destroy something that is thousands of years old.
Has anyone had any experience drilling and turning this material?