Finished deep-dyed camel bone

[Atlas Knife Company]

At a hammer-in, my son decided he wanted amber deep-dyed camel bone for the handle of his first forged knife. It was a bad idea and we tried to dissuade him, but he was adamant. If we grind the scales to a normal shape, the grooves are removed and it's white instead of orange and black. My thought is to use a dremel and add new grooves and use a magic marker. And better ideas?

Here's a link to the scales.
http://www.usaknifemaker.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=95_66&products_id=2462

 

[mgysgthath]

I've often wondered about grinding on such nice natural material.. so I'm curious to see what answers are presented.

 

[Mr. M]

Only grind the edges and break the corners slightly would be how I would use that (or even better, Don't use it )

 

[kc custom]

Take as much of the material as possible away from the BACKSIDE of the bone as long as it still fits the handle.
Its done constantly on stag, jigged bone, and such.
Ken

 

[zerogee]

Yep, grind down the thickness from the BACK of the scales, then shape the profiles to the handles and round off what little is needed then. Use minimal hand sanding to the faces of the scales to finish.

 

[Frank Niro]

The more expensive ivory pieces are coloured only on one side. Do as much sizing as you can on the back first. Here again the natural scales can demand a lot of previous experience in working them to make them look their very best. My wife used to say to me "what happened to all the pretty syuff that was there?" Frank