Hello all - I've never worked with any of the pearl scales, like the plain white pearl, nor the Black Lip Pearl.... that Black Lip Pearl is pretty!!! I have a couple questions when using the scales. Is the finish just a thin layer laying on top? Do you grind and shape pearl scales on top? OR - just scribe around the outline and carefully cut and grind to shape without ever touching the top?
I wish to use the scales for a folder - my idea is to scribe around the handle profile, the with a fine tooth saw cut somewhat close to scribe lines leaving plenty to sand off to flush with knife liner. Am I on track? OR - is there better way?
Any suggestions and guidance on working with pearl would be greatly appreciated.
Ken H>
If you haven't worked it before, buy a cheap set or piece of MOP and practice on that first.
Here's a couple random points on it.
cut with a jewelers saw or you can edge grind it with a 120 belt. It grinds away very fast. Don't let the belt joint hit it too hard when edge grinding. A contact wheel works better. MOP hates sharp impacts.
The shiny iridescent layers go 1/3 to 1/2 deep. Typical use is to leave as much surface flat as possible and round over the edges as needed. you can sculpt it a bit and will end up with a white layer exposed that isn't necessarily unpleasant as an accent line.
Drill with brand new sharp bits through the back onto a flat surface until the tip of the bit just starts to break through. Flip it over and drill the dimple to reduce chip out.
Use faster than typical speed with lighter than normal pressure. You grinding should produce dust, not chips.
if it is scratched you can sand out the scratch pretty much the same way you would on steel.
When mounting it to knife, it HATES any side pressure in screw holes. If you pein a pin into MOP, leave room and don't squeeze it.
Expect some natural flaws to work around.
You may may need to sand the back side flat. Hand sand with light palm pressure and fine grit abrasive using water on a flat surface trues it up. Use power at your own peril. I know for a fact how easy it is to drop a scale while disk grinding and ending up with a big chip out of it from the drop.
It kinda stinks when you work it. Don't breath the dust. It is sharp little shards of ceramic.
The upside is, when you get a knife done with it, you will think it's worth it.
