Mother of Pearl Scales

Col Defender

Col Defender

Joined
Nov 11, 2011
Messages
1,398
Thinking about making a knife with Mother of Pearl Scales this spring. I think the blanks are available from several sources. Anyone used them? Can they be sanded and shaped like wood scales? I would really appreciate any guidance, ideas etc about using them.


Thanks!.
 
I use a lot of MOP. It is brittle, but fairly tough if treated right.

Study the colors and pattern to determine the best orientation. Make sure BOTH pieces are oriented the same way. It can look very different from different ends.

It is soft and works easily with normal tools. It will cut with a jewelers saw somewhat slowly (you will go through a few blades on a set of scales). Use a metal cutting band saw with care or it will chip along the cut. A fine tooth blade is a must.
It files well with a good file.
It sands easily.

Drill slowly with a stiff backer (aluminum works well).
Do not stress it at all .... it is brittle.
Fit pins carefully and peen ever so gently ( screws are far better). MOP is a great material for karat gold pins.

Use fresh and sharp abrasives - AVOID HEAT.
Work slowly - AVOID HEAT. Grinding too aggressively may cause chipping along the edges.
Sand to at least 1000grit ( I often go to 8000) and buff gently with white rouge - AVOID HEAT.

Scraps can be shaped into various things and inlaid into wood or ivory handles.

It scrimshaws fairly nice with very sharp carbide scrim tools. Putting your makers initials or name on edge of the MOP is really classy.

Done well, there is probably no more impressive handle material for a high end knife. It pairs well with engraved bolsters, gold accents, and damascus.
It can be sculpted to make a nice folder a stunning folder.

Frank Niro is the king of MOP in my opinion.
Here is an example of his work:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1082418-Little-suprise-on-the-porch
 
Last edited:
What Stacy says!
There is no more beautiful or classy handle material.
 
A big thank you Stacy !
You can use a rotary tool with those red cut off discs to trim. I have had a tough time finding good pearl. There is lots around that has cracks, but even on the bottom that becomes a problem. Epoxy and CA glue doesn't improve it's looks. The one place I was buying from for the last 20 years is now saying the can't or won't. I have found this newer company on Ebay that is selling pearl as they say it is for thickness and quality. It is in China but delivery is cheap and the mail service for me here in Canada very quick. There web store on Ebay is jnnpearlinlay Their prices are very reasonable as well.
You can see more of my pearl knives at Custom Knife Gallery of Colorado
 
Not to hijack the thread, but Mr. Niro I just checked out your work and there must be a very fine line between art and utility in your world because they all looked like art to me!
 
I was under the impression that the dust from MOP is extremely toxic, can anyone confirm this?
 
GHEzell said:
I was under the impression that the dust from MOP is extremely toxic, can anyone confirm this?
Click to expand...

That is a constantly recurring wives tale. It is entirely false. The powder from grinding MOP is Calcium Carbonate. Any fine dust is bad to breathe, but it is not toxic in any way.
This and, " the fumes from galvanized metal will kill you", are probably the two most passed on false tales. Both should not be breathed, but neither is "extremely toxic".
 
Mother of Pearl was extremely expensive even at the turn of the last century. A set of carved MOP Single Action Army grips in 1903 was $16.75. A new SAA was $13.

The old MOP was much more beautiful that what is available today. One story I have heard is that the old MOP was from the white abalone while current material is from clam shells. I would like to know if this is true.
 
An A grade set of MOP 3" X 1" X .120" today will cost about $90. I saw some very high quality cut MOP for pistol grips selling for $300 or there about several months back. They were cut to shape.
Mop was never cut from abalone shells nor is it today cut from clam shells which are far more porous. Abalone on the other hand are very much smaller shells and more convoluted. Try to get some "large" abalone scales. One of my buyers recently bought a set 3" X 1" X .120." and paid about $290. On the other hand pearl is in my opinion a super good material to use. It is stable as it is an consistent to cut and shape. However, it doesn't seem to have the popularity as in the past.
Frank
 
Well, as was said the dust is bad if inhailed, but the question was about FUMES. No the fumes are NOT toxic. I talked to a specialist in masks and dusts who told me a simple paper mouth and nose covering mask would work well for pearl dust. Some of the dust from many materials can be very bad to individuals. I am now particularly aggravated by coco bolo dust.
Frank
 
One problem with MOP is that the individual particles often for a "fish hook" and when entering the lungs are difficult to dislodge and cough out because they hook into the lung. Along with some other materials like asbestos, for example, they can lead to cancer. One must remember that ALL wood dust is, at the least, an irritant and a protective mask should always be worn. Potential dangers to others coming into your shop (children, family, customers, etc) should be planned for. Exhaust fans are important. Some materials should not be cut inside. When I work with MOP, and some woods, I work OUTSIDE. I cut MOP with diamond saws and grinders flushing with copius amounts of water. I use breathing protection and a fan. MOP is dangerous. If you can smell it, you are not doing it right. Some materials are dangerous due to their oils. Cocobola and some other woods contain the same form of oil as poison ivy. It does not effect some. Others it does not effect at first but repeated exposure can make you highly allergic. If you google wood toxicity, you will see a large chart of common and exotic woods. One even attacks your heart. Be careful out there.

By the way, fiberglass can be as bad as ANYTHING! Be very careful with G10 and similar products.

It would be wise to have a discussion with a medical doctor about his subject listed here and get permission to list the toxicity chart.
 
Well put. I'm not that articulate and would hate for good folks to get harmed.
 
Hey, for gosh sakes use the protection necessary or quick making knives. You are coming on as if to do this in any manner will cause your death. Take care brother and be thankful just because you don't want to do it, others will take care and will.
Frank
 
By the way, how do you figure the old MOP was prettier than it is today? Perhaps you meant that the old MOP was mostly sold only in a top grade quality whereas today most is sold that is a poor grade. Pay the money and you will find the top quality high figure, no cracks, very full of colours like pink and blue.
 
Frank, perhaps you are not familiar with 100+ year old mother of pearl used in handgun grips. I have not seen anything today, anywhere in this quality.

As far as MOP dust/fumes go, here is my take on the matter. To me, fumes would be the result of burning which doesn't happen in grinding. What one may call "fumes" are extremely small particles of dust. These are just as dangerous as larger particles. If you can smell them, you are in potential danger. Again, the safest manner is to work outside, with a fan, with good protective filters, and under water. Anyone who does not use these techniques, I simply wish the best of luck.
 
And yes Peter I have seen the most fantastic pistol grips and when I asked to buy that quality of pearl I was told all that good and that big was going into the making of those grips. It was a site in Thiland . The site owner figured his pearl was so good as knife scales that he offered them only one at a time not in sets. About the dust an all,. Yes it will be there and also from the steel, wood, ivory and all the rest that goes into knife making. Sure one needs to deal with the situation. There have been some terribly bad cuts that have been received by knife makers. This also means be careful but no need to scream about it.
Pearl is a beautiful material to work with and I encourage all to put on a paper mask to cover nose and mouth and go to it!!!
Frank
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top