I started Everquest I think March 21 1999. After playing some months I left. I came back in 2001. I'm fairly confident I saw chipped bone rods in 1999. I think most of us didn't use them, but I think I did once or twice, I'm just not sure if it was 1999 or 2001. I do know it was early on when I knew about them.
How many people have forgotten about these? The downside was the cost. For a new player it was high.
I foudn this on allah:
http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/item.html?item=3616
As early as Jan 2001 a player is saying they were on a merchant in Kelethin. Me, I played in Qeynos mostly, and I'm sure I saw them on a merchant somewhere. I wish I could find concrete evidence.