Abalone

R Dockrell

R Dockrell

Joined
Mar 26, 2000
Messages
658
Has anyone ever used the imitation syntetic stuff.
I have a customer that wants the abalone look on a fixed blade EDC working knife. I am worried about the toughness of the real thing. He is worried about the price of the real thing and the look of the imitation stuff. A picture of the imitation stuff or a knife handle with synthetic abalone would be greatly appreciated.
 
the immatation stuff I've used was acrilic and it scratched easy, I know the real thing is britle, would he go with a rose wood or ebony handle with massive inlays? (or bone or Ivory)

just tossing out Ideas
 
Originally posted by R Dockrell
Has anyone ever used the imitation syntetic stuff.
I have a customer that wants the abalone look on a fixed blade EDC working knife. I am worried about the toughness of the real thing. He is worried about the price of the real thing and the look of the imitation stuff. A picture of the imitation stuff or a knife handle with synthetic abalone would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Robert, check out the first knife at http://customknives.com/availableknives I would not call this "imitation". It is layers of Abalone that is thick enough for me to use on a liner lock. I've sold several knives using this material and have not received any negative feedback.

Talk to Joe Culpepper at http://www.motherofpearl.net/ he can tell you exactly how it is produced.

A.T.
 
Robert, if you do use the real stuff be real cautious. Abalone is very toxic. It is one of the worst. The synthetics I've used were not good, scratched easy and did not have good luster for very long. The real stuff is brittle but easing the edges reduces chipping. Terry
 
I wholeheartedly recommend you take a close look at the site that A.T. referenced. The mosaic abalone that is available is not the imitation plastic stuff. Safety precautions for mother of pearl are listed on this site as well. :) Good info!
C Wilkins
 
I've used this stuff and like it. Careful, it chips and cracks easily, peening pins too heavily can make spiderwebs around the hole. I once made matching handgun scales for a knife rig, looked cool. Easy to work and polishes out very nicely. It has a sort of "squeaky" texture that offers a decent grip, at least dry. I'm afraid I don't know how well it holds up, losing the finish might be an issue. I think it's kind of neat, if you're into garrish. :) Just my 2c.

Dave
 
Thanks for all the info .
But what I really need is how the stuff looks.
Anyone have a pic. of the synthetic stuff?
The customer wants somthing that people will notice . Garrish is good! Any pictures Dave?
 
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