shell veneer scales WIP

**virreslirre** · 08-03-2012, 11:56 AM

Hello!

Im gonna make this real quick because my computer is acting up a bit.
I recently asked for advice here on B&B on the subject of laminating veneer, i got some good pointers. Thank you!

Anyway, heres the scales in production. They are still hardening so im gonna leave them alone for a couple of days more before actual pinning.
Theres a series of pictures below because i thought it would be good to see for some new members here, even though there is a couple of really good tutorials on the subject. You really cant have to many.

So, 14 Guiellermo Hoppe solingen, 7/8
soon to be dressed in laminated shell veneer, liner is black paper and top coat is a pouring of resin to get a rounded top with a nice shine and.

And, ill also post the latest finished blade, a Pierce dressed in Amaranth and CA-finished.

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**virreslirre** · 08-03-2012, 11:57 AM

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**virreslirre** · 08-03-2012, 11:59 AM

Sorry for the caotic order of pictures... im a bit stressed out. bsod alot... Heres the Pierce!

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**virreslirre** · 08-03-2012, 12:04 PM

oh, and the syringes are my best tip for working with epoxy resin. They are absolutley perfect for measuring up small amounts of resin. The mixture have to be dead-on to be able to harden properly and i've had a number of failures because of this in the past so the syringes are a life-saver for me. At least thats how my brand of resin acts..
So, post one and last picture, thats the almost hardened veneer laminate ready for drilling.
Im gonna clean this thread up a bit with the help of a more reliable internet-machine soon, bare with me.

**ladykate** · 08-03-2012, 03:28 PM

I like the way it looks at the fresh pour.

I often have trouble in the drying stage. The stuff just doesn't dry evenly for me and I'll get a slight ripple or greeble or two. Wish it would look like it does when I pour it! Requires the normal sanding and polishing - and the resin that I use is somewhat soft so I have to be very careful else it will roll on me if I get over-zealous and sand it too hard.

**virreslirre** · 08-03-2012, 04:59 PM

Thats a bummer, the whole idea suppose to be post-pour sanding/buffing free. Are you sure you are mixing it properly? I made 15 ml for the top-pour and i mixed that small amount for 5 minutes, vigerously.
Mixing and having the correct amounts of each substance is ultra-critical.
I must have made at least 7 sub par attempts prior to this, it worked out but it was not flawless, a bit of sanding and buffing etc.
But, i guess it pretty much comes down to which resin you use, i bought the most expensive one to be safe..

**hig789** · 08-03-2012, 05:49 PM

That's sweet. I have a razor with laminate abalone scales and they are beautiful. I think yours will turn out the same. Nice work so far.

**Pkrankow** · 08-03-2012, 06:22 PM

What epoxy are you using.

That looks good. I have considered using shell veneer but had not ideas on how to go about it.

Phil

**hig789** · 08-03-2012, 08:17 PM

Mastercraft has sheets of the premade laminate.

**virreslirre** · 08-04-2012, 11:41 AM

And i got mine from edelholzverkauf in germany, god site for wood in peticular. The veneer is god if you want to decide the thickness and direction of the shell and backing. It gives you more options.

**virreslirre** · 08-09-2012, 02:17 AM

Ok, all done! Totally screwed up the bone wedge, i got excited and skimped a bit on the detailing.. Anyway here it is, the blade is kinda cool, its a 14 guillermo hoppe but it is also stamped with the henkels twins... 7/8.
http://m.flickr.com/lightbox?id=7745384542

**virreslirre** · 08-09-2012, 02:19 AM

http://m.flickr.com/lightbox?id=7745386850

**redbreast** · 08-09-2012, 02:37 AM

Very nice, Very nice indeed.

**hig789** · 08-10-2012, 04:05 PM

Turned out great. Very nice work.

**NexlevMM** · 08-10-2012, 04:33 PM

Incredible scales. They look great!

**virreslirre** · 08-18-2012, 03:32 PM

thank you all for the uplifting comments!!
And i have to say, this is real easy, i never thought about laminating before and then just pour the top coat to get the rounded profile but it is super-easy and real fast. No sanding, no fuss, jus pour and take a nap.
I'll happily help if anyone have any questions, im no expert in anyway but ill have a couple under my belt by now.

**Bk124tt** · 08-19-2012, 08:24 AM

Those look great congrats

**Trudo1** · 08-20-2012, 10:23 PM

Whats the paper liner all about ? Awesome scales !

**virreslirre** · 08-20-2012, 11:17 PM

The paperliner is there to get the colors in the paua-sheet to "pop". You can use any color you like and you will have a slight tint of that color in the finished scales. I used paper because its hard to get suitable material in the correct thickness, i don want to sand it to thickness. And also because i could just incorporate the shell in the laminate, not worrying what type of glue to use.