I would give Culpepper a call, they have different materials besides MOP. I bought my coral at a show.
I have used both tiger coral and pink coral for knife handles. The only problem I had was overcomming the fear factor. The fear of cracking a piece of $60 material!!! I started out cutting the coral with a carbide grit blade in a band saw, running at a fairly high speed, like for wood. It cut with no problem although I didn't try to cut any tight "turns". I have used this same blade to cut Rhodocrosite, jade and stellite!
Then I drilled .094 dia holes with a carbide drill, I think a regular drill would have worked just fine. Still being afraid to crack it, I profiled close to the handle shape with my belt grinder using a 220 belt. I did the inside curves with my die grinder and a sanding drum. At this point I was past the risky part and glued the coral to the knife with the pins at the same time. I did not even attempt to peen the pins! I finished everything with a finer belt on the belt grinder and a finer drum on the die grinder. Then I went to wet sandpaper and finally to the buffer. I found it to be softer than MOP or abalone and less likely to crack. If no cost was involved, working with it is not bad at all! Be sure to wear a dust mask!!
Neil
[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 18 September 1999).]
