Stone Handles?

[Astygma]

Hey fellas,

I am still laboring on my first blade, and am wondering if anyone has some suggestions, or experience with making a stone handle, like material suggestions or techniques?

Thanks Guys

Jeremy

 

[DGG]

Jade is a favorite. It is so tough and strong you can make the whole blade out of it. It comes in all sorts of colors from very light green to almost jet black. It has a certain warm feel to it that many types of stone don't possess. It is considered good luck in parts of asia.

Obviously the brittleness of many type of stone has to be considered. I have seen stone inlaid in wood scales, opal, pearl oyster shell, etc. which is very attractive.

http://www.jayfisher.com/ladronja.htm

http://www.gemworld.com/CustomProd.asp

You would of course need some lapidary equipment for grinding and polishing the stone.

 

[MikeByrd30]

Hey fellas,

I am still laboring on my first blade, and am wondering if anyone has some suggestions, or experience with making a stone handle, like material suggestions or techniques?

Thanks Guys

Jeremy

Hey there Jeremy. Stone can make a beautiful handle with a great grip, although it is pretty hard to shape without alot of Lapidary Machinery. Stone can be very brittle to work with.
There are several types of re-constituted stone available now days. They come in nice chunks and are easier to work with, although not as easy as shaping plastic.
Stabilized stone is made from the original mineral, ground and reformed into a usable mass with the use of plastic binders. The material can be anything from half plastic to as little as 14% depending on quality. If you can, go with the type with the higher mineral content.

Let us know how it goes-
Mike

 

[Astygma]

wow thanks for the help guys, your replies have led me to my Geologist friend of many years who has a myriad of lapidary equipment and some nice choices for materials. He suggested perhaps some obsidian, or perhaps hematite.. any other suggestions? thanks again for all the help!