Ivories are all the same regardless of sex. The only difference is the size relative to age. A spike will have about the same size ivory, but the density of the enamel is less. As the animal ages, the enamel gets thicker and will take on a brown staining that makes a pattern unique to each animal. The ivory will then begin to wear and the tooth will start to shorten in height and will begin to flatten out. I have some that are so flat you can actually stand it on end.

The best way I have found to remove them is with a large bladed knife. Insert the knife on the outside edge of the tooth just under the gum. Push upwards rocking the knife front to back. (Don't put your hand on top of the muzzle as the knife can be pushed all the way through if you push too hard) Next do the same on the front and back of the tooth. Finally push the knife upwards on the inside of the tooth. Rock it front to back, then lightly pry to the outside. The tooth should pop out onto the knife blade. It should take about 1 minute to do. Clean the meat off of the bottom of the tooth by scraping with a pocket knife. Don't scrape the main part of the tooth as it will scratch it. Do this right away before it dries or it will be very hard to remove. The teeth can be naturally polished by rubbing them on your pant legs.

Dream to Hunt...Hunt to Dream