Rhodochrosite

[Gus Kalanzis]

Does anyone have any experience in using this as handle material?
Thanks,
Gus

 

[Alan Folts]

Well I have used tigers eye, malachite, black and rainbow obsidion, soapstone, jade, and various other natural stones for handles and inlays over the years.

Are you going to work it yourself or are you considering it for a handle material for a project or what?

My angle on stone is to grind it fast and furious, down to a rough size, and then the fun starts, lots of wet grinding and hours of hand finishing...lots of fun..

post some further details here and maybe i can help more...

Alan Folts..

 

[Gus Kalanzis]

Hi Alan,

Was thinking about it on a project with Darrel. If we do not use it, maybe on the next one in line (which is the one you and I have talked about

) Just wanted to get an idea of what I was asking of my knifemaking friends and to see if anyone has used it.
Rhodochrosite is a georgous mineral that IMHO would look great with damascus with the right design, but it may be too brittle.
Thanks as always,
Gus

[This message has been edited by Gus Kalanzis (edited 11-05-98).]

 

[Marvin Edgeworth]

Rhodochrosite is a really beautiful material. Polishing and shaping is relatively easy. Unfortunately, it's also soft (3.5-4) and brittle. While it may be appropriate as an inlay for an 'art' knife, I'd be very dubious about using it on a 'working' knife.
In contrast, jade is a relatively hard and incredibly tough material, actually stronger than most of the metals used for knife handles or scales.
If you use it, I wish you luck. Just be VERY careful in shipping and use.


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[Gus Kalanzis]

Thanks Marvin and Alan,

Now a tough decision on keeping a nice 14lb slab as is or cutting out part of it for handles that one is going to have to fester for a while.

 

[Darrel Ralph]

Back from NY wowowo
Let me know Gus well do what you need ..
It may be a bit soft..