First rayskin. Now what?

[Chiro75]

I just got hold of my first rayskin. I've never used it before. Anytime I use material from something that was alive (plant or animal) it's important to me to not screw up and not waste anything. So, before I use it I want to know what to do. I assume I just cut the pieces I need and epoxy them to handles or whatever I am using it for, but is there more to it? It's pretty soft and pliable, not the rock hard stuff I've read about. If there's more to it, let me know, and if not, I'll assume I can progress like I thought...

 

[R APPLEBY]

Even rayskin leather can be difficult to sow its the bony scales that get ya.

 

[Burchtree]

progress as you thought.

 

[Dan Gray]

if you have a problem sewing it drill the holes

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

You probably have the tanned stuff that you use for sheaths and wallets.The rawhide stuff is like 10 grit sandpaper.

 

[Chiro75]

You probably have the tanned stuff that you use for sheaths and wallets.The rawhide stuff is like 10 grit sandpaper

Is this a problem to use on knife handles with a wrap over it? What's the best source for the best stuff to use? The rayskin I have came in as part of a knife trade, so I don't know what company it came from.

 

[Burchtree]

It works great for knife handles. Mark the backside and use some good scissors (not your wifes') to cut them.

 

[Dan Gray]

The rayskin I have came in as part of a knife trade, so I don't know what company it came from.

mother nature INC

 

[Chiro75]

mother nature INC

So are you hunting them with a spear, hook and rod, or what?

 

[Dan Gray]

grow them in the tub it's cheeper that way

 

[Ivan Campos]

It will dull very quickly anything you use to cut it with. If you can, use a bandsaw.
You can get ray skin form Mother of Peral (www.knifehandles.com), Co. Universal Agencies (www.knifesupplies.com), Bugei (www.bugei.com), or Adam Unlimited (www.adamunlimited.com)