Composite Reconstruction Gemstone

[TCooper]

Recontructed Stone- has anyone used this stuff? Does it look like real stone? Is it worth buying any? Any info will help.

Thanks

 

[Gene Martin]

I've used it from time to time, just bought some more. Other than cutting, it works with your belt grinder. Slab it , unless you bought slabs, with a tile saw. You can use a metal cutting bandsaw but it's REALLY hard on the teeth.

Drill it with HSS or better, a good sharp bit. Peck at the holes like you would with stainless. Grind it with a sharp belt. Finish it out to 600 then buff and it looks great.

Use whatever epoxy you normally use to attach the handles.

The two absolutely mortal sins with this stuff are overheating and trying to bend it . Make sure your pin holes are just a bit oversize. and your tang is really flat. You might even put some spacer material with it, although I seldom do. If the tang isn't flat and you clamp the scales down tight for your epoxy to cure, or the slab isn't flat, expect a crack.

Several years ago I used quite a bit of it. I tool a knife, glued the handles on, then repeatedly dropped it tang first on a slab. I finally managed to chip a corner. If you put a rear bolster on, or a buttcap for a full tang, you should never have a problem with cracking. On a smaller knife, just round the rear corners well and you shouldn't have a problem. It can make a beautiful knife.

Gene

 

[delbert ealy]

Ditto what Gene said, Although I did use my metal cutting bandsaw to cut the stuff I used, but then I'm used to using alot of blades.
The malachite can be really stunning, its my favorite.
Del

 

[TCooper]

Awesome, glad to hear about that malachite, its my favorite natural stone, and exactly what I was thinking of using, what type of buffing wheel gets the best finish, I typical use sewn and loose muslin.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

As with any material like this, Avoid breathing the dust at all costs....especially Malachite.
Stacy