Gold Lip Pearl & 'Brown' Picked Bone

Chris Crawford

Chris Crawford

Joined
Apr 14, 2001
Messages
380
First of all, let me say that I was disappointed and a little aggravated with the last set of 'Brown' picked bone scales that I received from TKS. I've ordered these scales in the past, and they have always come out a nice amber-brown color similar to stag. However, this last set that I got came out so dark that they look almost black on the knife. The problem is that when you get them they are so dark you never know what the final color will be until the surface is ground off and finished. I ordered two more sets of these scales at the same time, and I fear that these will be just as dark. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, what can be done to the scales to lighten them up?

As for the Gold Lip Pearl, I've been asked to build a knife which has scales made of Gold Lip Pearl. Where is a good source to get a quality set of scales? I know that TKS sells them, but I was wandering about their quality, and where else I may be able to pick some up.

Thanks -chris

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Chris Crawford Knives

 
<soapbox> I just want to mention, because I'm so paranoid about lungs, that pearl has a real bad reputation. I understand that its "dust" is kind of curly-que shaped and just loves to hook itself into your nice pink tissues. I haven't used the stuff but they say to drill in water if possible and - naturally! - wear a mask. Maybe this is extreme but I just thought I'd drag it out again. </soapbox>

Do you have a picture of the scales? I've been looking for some dark enough...

Dave
 
<soapbox> I just want to mention, because I'm so paranoid about lungs, that pearl has a real bad reputation. I understand that its "dust" is kind of curly-que shaped and just loves to hook itself into your nice pink tissues. I haven't used the stuff but they say to drill in water if possible and - naturally! - wear a mask. Maybe this is extreme but I just thought I'd drag it out again. </soapbox>

Do you have a picture of the scales? I've been looking for some dark enough...

Dave
 
Dave, if you are looking for some dark scales, these should definitely be dark enough! The link goes to a picture of a slipjoint that I just finished based on my auto pattern. Believe it or not, the bone as actually brown and not black. You can't tell on the knife itself unless you know to look for it.

Slipjoint with so-called "Brown" picked bone scales

After looking at the other links for handle material listed above, I've realized that what I got was "Chocolate" scales rather than "Amber". I just wish TKS had made a distinction rather than calling them both "Brown".

-chris

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Chris Crawford Knives

 
Chris I thought it was just me. I ordered 5 sets of picked bone two were jade they were so dark they were black. I put them in a bowl of rubbing alcohol and hand rubbed a lot of the ink off. Now for the rest of the story I ordered one set a certain color and they sent a different color then what I ordered because they were out of what I wanted ! It gets better or worse I should say, I ordered a 3ft joint 0f PG440 1/8 they sent two of em this was on another order. I am done with em unless I just have to use them. When Ed owned the place I never had a problem.


Glen in Louisiana
 
hey chris..........i just got some great looking gold lip from mother of pearl co.........and the price was not bad at all......if you get down to meridian,stop by.......greg
 
Man I sure hate hearing bad stories about TKS but they really have gotten uneven. They were the first supplier I ordered stuff from when I started back in 1988 - still have that first hobby grinder. :D Chalk it up to nostalgia or weird loyalty but I keep giving em chances...but that can only go so far.

Too bad for you guys with incorrect orders, do you think it'd be worthwhile calling to ask them to fix it? I think Jim is a standup guy and would want to make it right.

You just can't get good help these days! :(
 
I'm sure it's the help,
Jim and Lance will bend over backwards for you. if you play nice..
They can't fix a problem if they don't know there is one.:(
I know it's a pain but new help is a pain to brake in and can get costly for this reason..
if that's the case..:( they don't make the stuff either,
and numbers get messed up at times or just picked wrong,
so ask them what to do. just MHO.:)
 
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