Mondt
04-22-2001, 10:49 PM
I have been offered some Baleen, the black bone like structure from a whales mouth. I have seen this used in carvings and such, but has anyone every used it for knife handle material???
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View Full Version : Baleen for Handle Material Mondt 04-22-2001, 10:49 PM I have been offered some Baleen, the black bone like structure from a whales mouth. I have seen this used in carvings and such, but has anyone every used it for knife handle material??? BOB28 04-23-2001, 03:33 AM I don't think I have ever read about or seen any knife with baleen for handle material. You just may well be the first.:) Of course when you get done with the knife pictures will be forthcoming right? Hope so!:D Don Cowles 04-23-2001, 05:02 AM Doug- check state and federal law before you use it. Whale body parts are often taboo. Mondt 04-23-2001, 02:14 PM Don, You hit upon one of my concerns. I've heard that the new legislation up in Alaska has gotten tougher. I'll have to do some more homework. Thanks Mondt 04-24-2001, 09:22 AM CAUTION!!!!! Baleen is not allowed to be altered. I heard back from a man in Fairbanks and he said that a piece of baleen may be carved by a native and must bear his signature. To alter a piece is illegal. He said baleen does make good handle material, but would be about the same as handling the knife with crystal meth! Another wonderful resource legislated away!!! For everyone, take Don's warning and investigate a new handle material before pinning it on! Geno 04-24-2001, 10:05 AM I'm curious. What part of the whale is it anyway? Don Cowles 04-25-2001, 11:30 AM The baleen are sort of like slats on a venitian blind, through which the whale strains sea water to filter out their food (shrimp, plankton, etc.). Don Cowles 04-25-2001, 11:30 AM I guess I no longer have the option of deleting a message (in this case, a duplicate post). Sigh. Love them upgrades. Geno 04-25-2001, 01:06 PM Thanks Don, Is that REPLY button stutterring again? That's OK Bud,Always glad to hear from you. MIKE KOLLER 04-25-2001, 01:58 PM I don't think it was a studder!Check the number on that post of Don's!:evil: Geno 04-27-2001, 07:38 PM HAHAHAHA!!!!!!! I hadn't even noticed that. It's not a number I want to stop on either. kenm 05-03-2001, 12:26 AM The answer mondt received is very close but I'd like to add a couple more twists to the baleen answer. Baleen in its natural state "uncut" is legal. If you cut baleen for use on a knife it is legal for you the maker and owner of the knife to own, BUT you cannot legally sell the knife with baleen in this altered state on it. This information came from a very reliable source to me . I believe this source to be as accurate as you can get on artifacts from Alaska Ken | |