Lets talk GEC!

rdave said:
So maybe you guys can help me out on this "abalone" covers stuff. I like the looks of the covers and always want to buy one but they just seem phony or plastic. I read the LVS and ALVS description but I am still not convinced and view them as layered and molded and compressed plastic to create a look. In other words, if I went out off the California coast and dove for abalone I am sure this is not the shell be used on the knife. I have bought a couple covers like turtle shell acrylic but think that is different thing because I know it's acrylic. What do you think?
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I regret not picking up a Looking Glass Pearl knife when I had a chance. I've never seen one in person, but I imagine it feels like acrylic rather than shell. I don't think that would bother me, since I have sentimental feelings about the old Girl Scout knives with the looking glass covers.
Kutmaster GSK cropped (1).jpg

I'm not sure how much this applies, but there is a similar technique to make opal gemstones that are less fragile (and less expensive) The top layer in an opal triplet is usually clear quartz, so it feels more like a gemstone and doesn't scratch as easily as plastic. The bottom layer of a dark material like onyx gives the opal depth and color contrast.
opal-doublet-triplet.jpg
 
rdave said:
In other words, if I went out off the California coast and dove for abalone I am sure this is not the shell be used on the knife. I have bought a couple covers like turtle shell acrylic but think that is different thing because I know it's acrylic. What do you think?
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I think the difference between something like turtle shell acrylic which is just acrylic in a color and pattern reminiscent of turtle shell and the abalone is that abalone really has abalone shell in it. It may still feel like acrylic because there's a layer of acrylic on the top, but inside is either a single or multiple layers of abalone providing the visual appearance of real abalone shell. It's not just colored plastic. I'm pretty sure the inside of an abalone shell really is that colorful. Examples courtesy of quick googling. These are polished but presumably haven't been altered other than that.

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Edited to add: Ignore me. r8shell r8shell 's answer is better. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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Picked up a bag of abalone shells when walking the beaches of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Have played with some of the shells toying with the idea of making jewelry with them or having knives made with them. Even the large shells would probably only be enough for one flat cover as they are semi round shells. Viewed closely, you can see even in it's natural state, the shell is layered, and from personal experience it is brittle. Probably wise to have it stabilized. The layers down on the inside would be stunning but a real challenge to incorporate on a knife. Even the edge is beautiful though.

abalone.jpg


Started cleaning off the outside of this shell several years ago and gave up. Maybe I'll give it another try.

abalone1.jpg


rdave rdave Sorry this doesn't answer your GEC question but I agree with your assessment, looks like some kind of laminate. Not a bad thing considering how brittle abalone shell is, but a thing none the less. GEC did make some real MOP knives.
 
AlwaysTomboy said:
I think the difference between something like turtle shell acrylic which is just acrylic in a color and pattern reminiscent of turtle shell and the abalone is that abalone really has abalone shell in it. It may still feel like acrylic because there's a layer of acrylic on the top, but inside is either a single or multiple layers of abalone providing the visual appearance of real abalone shell. It's not just colored plastic. I'm pretty sure the inside of an abalone shell really is that colorful. Examples courtesy of quick googling. These are polished but presumably haven't been altered other than that.

43134900742_7b6fabca47.jpg


41374181910_60275f5e96_o.jpg


Edited to add: Ignore me. r8shell r8shell 's answer is better. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
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Yep. Now that's abalone. Maybe it's the labeling of LVS or ALVS or some say flat out this knife is abalone shell...I guess you can label any cover whatever you like. It seems, as knifeswapper mentions, when GEC released the real abalone, there were questions then as to exactly what abalone covers were - that's when the prices of the abalone sheets were bantered around. I'm easily fooled but want to believe.
 
Chief said:
Picked up a bag of abalone shells when walking the beaches of Vandenberg Air Force Base. Have played with some of the shells toying with the idea of making jewelry with them or having knives made with them. Even the large shells would probably only be enough for one flat cover as they are semi round shells. Viewed closely, you can see even in it's natural state, the shell is layered, and from personal experience it is brittle. Probably wise to have it stabilized. The layers down on the inside would be stunning but a real challenge to incorporate on a knife. Even the edge is beautiful though.

abalone.jpg


Started cleaning off the outside of this shell several years ago and gave up. Maybe I'll give it another try.

abalone1.jpg


rdave rdave Sorry this doesn't answer your GEC question but I agree with your assessment, looks like some kind of laminate. Not a bad thing considering how brittle abalone shell is, but a thing none the less. GEC did make some real MOP knives.
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Well, it is difficult to beat real abalone particularly when found walking down the beach.
 
Chief Chief

John I made cabochons back in the 70's..with lapidary equipment running coolant. The only thing I recall about Abalone was how dangerous folks claimed it was to grind, especially dry (think glass particles). I believe it is CNC machined now.
 
knifeswapper said:
At one time I bought a large abalone shell; actually a couple because I have part of one around here somewhere. But even the very large are so convex you couldn't find a straight enough spot for maybe a couple peanuts. So, for knives, they have always cut veneers. ALVS is one layer of this veneer, thus the patchwork is very obvious most of the time. LVS is many layers of veneer with only a brush of epoxy between each to hold them together. You can still see the patchwork sometimes, but not nearly like ALVS. LVS is $200-300 per 5x9" sheet; whereas ALVS is $50-75 (in a thickness sufficient to make handles). LVS is as resilient as you would expect it to be. There are many quality levels; Case used some outstanding LVS in the 1990's and labelled it "Genuine Abalone".
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Thank you for the insight Mike, most appreciated.

Russell
 
I am no expert, and all my info is second hand, but my research indicates that abalone and mother of pearl are chemically basically the same. Strangely, I found knifemakers that say they won’t use mother of pearl but will use abalone........

They are both a calcium carbonate. It is not particularly dangerous and does not cause allergic reactions like some claim, but you really want to wear a mask because the material does go airborne.

You also should wear a mask when sanding wood, which has about same danger level as abalone or MOP, depending on wood species.

I have also read that the lip of the shell and the center of the belly/back of the shell are the thickest and most layered areas.

I am really hoping my customs turn out well!
 
"mollusc shell hypersensitivity pneumonitis" : Mollusc dust is very dangerous. Most now cut it under water or some other solution.
 
I guess the ease of working the material and the greatly reduced health risk is why GEC uses the laminated acrylic abalone.

Wish they used it more.

The shell that Tomboy posted seems especially unique and colorful.
 
Railsplitter said:
I suppose it would be entirely dependent on how you use and carry the knife but Jigged Bone is one of the best handle materials for taking on a "pocket worn" look.

Many of the members here have already seen the thread in the link below but I like to link it sometimes when this subject comes up. It's a good real world example of how a knife can age over the years. Probably nothing you didn't already know but it's an interesting thread just the same.
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/sad-old-worn-out-knife-replaced-with-new-old-knife.889159/
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No, Railsplitter, I am actually very new to this hobby. I learn something new from you fine folks everyday, thanks for the link.
 
singin50 said:
I'm reminded of this one from the first #77 run!
Naw, they ain't that Purdy, are they?
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OK - I give...if it was a "real" abalone cover mashed up - LVS or ALVS - I would buy it...this one singin50 posted is a beauty.
 
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These are all looking really good. Will be picking up one of these. Likely a single blade tidouette. Great daily carry
 
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