Smooth/bevel the edges on jigged GEC?

[Big_Red]

Just wondering if I can take an emory board or high grit sandpaper to the edges of some jigged bone GEC's without damaging the finish - any harm done?

Not a big deal, but I'd prefer to bevel this bottom edge:

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

I did the same to some stag handles on a folder, many years ago. Edges were pretty 'square', like in your pic. I'd assume at least some of the color would be removed, on the dyed bone. I don't have any experience in re-coloring bone scales, so hopefully you'll get advice from others here about that.

If I were going to undertake this project, I'd begin very gently, with fine-grit sandpaper (around 1000 grit or so, give or take). Sounds like you're not planning on removing a lot of material from the edge, so I think the fine grit sandpaper should do the trick, without being too aggressive or leaving heavy scratches afterwards. I've found a small, flexible art/drafting-type eraser (I use a 'MAGIC RUB' eraser) to be very useful as a sanding 'block', around which I wrap the sandpaper. The flexibility of the rubber eraser will make it conform naturally to the contours, without 'flat-spotting' them. I'd also recommend some dust protection for your nose/sinuses/lungs. I've heard the dust from sanding bone/stag and other materials can be toxic, if inhaled.

Good luck.

 

[DennisStrickland]

food color should work as a dye but start lighter than desired & darken in successive baths . citric acid sets the dye to stop bleed.--dennis

 

[kamagong]

Just carry and use the knife. After a while the edges will round off on their own, and the whole knife will start to acquire that pocketworn feeling.

 

[Big_Red]

Just carry and use the knife. After a while the edges will round off on their own, and the whole knife will start to acquire that pocketworn feeling.

That sounds like my best bet if I don't want to screw up the coloring. Although I'm not sure my slacks pocket will do much for smoothing the edges