Reinforcing boar tusk

[Dansvidania]

Hi everyone,

during my last walk I stumbled upon something that appeared to be the jaw of a boar. I was lucky enough to find the tusks still attached and intact and to extract them. After some research my guess would be that they once belonged to an adult male.

I appreciate greatly when I am able to gather the materials I am going to use for my crafts and hence I would like to make them into something to celebrate the find and the animal.

My concerns are about the mechanical stress they can withstand as they are mostly hollow and I like to carry around the stuff that I make, functional or decorative both.

Google suggested to fill them with clear silicone, but I am afraid the flexibility of the material could lead to cracks in the tusks. Also, even though I am not a worshipper of the 'primitive mindset' I do find that using natural materials when working with animal parts feels to me as more respectful for the animal.

I though about filling them with pine sap, but I would appreciate the guidance of the more expert craftsmen on this forum, because it is of great importance to me not to ruin the specimens.

Thank you all for your attention.

 

[Demonwolf444]

I would fill them with epoxy or something as its pretty stable..

 

[Wayland]

Milliput would be my choice.

 

[JonathanD]

I'd fill them full of clear epoxy or Milliput as Wayland says. Milliput is probably the best option as you can sculpt the end to look more natural. Nice find.

 

[Dansvidania]

Thank you guys, I do have a few different kinds of epoxy putty around, so I'll be evaluating this solution.

 

[British Red]

If you use an acrylic resin you can just pour it into the cavity and let it set. With a putty type epoxy you will need to pack it onto the void.

Try something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jesmonite...Crafts_DrawingSupplies_EH&hash=item4ab1b4b8d2

 

[Dansvidania]

Thank you British Red, I see the seller does not ship to Itay, otherwise that same item would have been interesting.

What do you guys think about pine sap/pitch or any other natural material for the task?

 

[HillBill]

Yeah, pine or birch tar should do ok.

 

[British Red]

Most of the saps are very brittle - I would make up a sap based resin but add some beeswax for flexibility and a wood substrate for resilience. That keeps it natural but will work better than a simple resin.

Google "cutlers resin" for a recipe

 

[ozzy1977]

I would use epoxy, the hohour stuff should give you enough time to pour it in and allow it to settle

 

[mrcharly]

If you really want 'natural' substances, what about something like rabbit skin glue?

 

[mountainm]

I wouldn't use anything dark - use something clear, cream or white unless you don't mind changing the overall colour given it's semi opaque. What about simple plaster of paris then strengthen the caps? Or just stuff them with Plasticine - then cap over.