Anyone one ever work with Kirinite?

[JoeLowett]

Has anybody here worked with kirinite? The stuff looks really cool and i ordered some to play around with. I'm hoping i can make a really neat and unique pair of scales for one of my wade and butcher's with them. The one concern i have is that i have seen knives scaled in the stuff but never a straight razor. Since razor scales are bent in under tension at the pivot i am wondering if this material is up to the task or if it needs to be supported by a backing such as G10.......

In case you have never seen the stuff here's the link..... Kirinite Lava Flow 3/16"x1.5"x5" Scales Pair

Also here's a pic.... kind looks like a bowling ball too me!

[Catrentshaving]

Looks like a cool material and would most likely work...the one problem that I see is that it only seems to come in 5" lengths...usually a little short for making scales.

Edit: Just noticed they have a 5" x 10.5"

[JoeLowett]

correct, the pre cut stuff is under sized... but as your edit states the do have it in sheets which is what i ordered...
i have squeezed scales out of a 2.5 x 5 blank before in a pinch, but at that point your making your scales to fit your material rather then your scales to fit the blade. I wish these companies and people who sell scale blanks could recognized our need for 6.5" x 2" x 1/8" .... some times it seems so many exotic blanks are off limits to straight razor guys due to the undersized nature of the blank. I guess we will leave that discussion for another thread!

[10Pups]

This is going to be on my way soon. Will watch and learn here. From what I read it has all the same properties as g10
"This material is a tough as Corian(tm)" and "It machines beautifully and is a pleasure to work with. Simply shape using typical wood working tools and methods, sand to 400 or 600 grit and give it a light buff to bring out a stunning, grippy finish.


They sold me on it...but I am an easy sell. :<0)

[JoeLowett]

I guess we are the guinea pigs on this one pup! I have high expectations, this stuff ought to be a winner!

[10Pups]

Well I haven't got on the wheel and started running yet... Maybe I'll just see how far you get ...

I have it on my short list of things to get. I saw the lava too and I want both LOL. Is there a SAD (scale acquisition disorder ) or are we starting a new disorder ? I am thinking it would be a great excuse to get more razors. " Well, I have all this scale material I have to use."

[JoeLowett]

I worked with te kirinite I bought and made a pair of scales of it, the material is easy to work with and as pops said polishes to an incredible finish.

I never did use the scales I made as the were short since I was cheap and bought the 5" blank as opposed to going all in on a sheet, seeing as at the time no one on the forum used the stuff. After playing with it I realize it would benefit from a thin .1" g10 liner

I plan or picking more of it up soon and doing something great with it.

[Geezer]

Only thing I noticed is the temp it softens. ~200 degrees F. No boiling sterilizing for it. A common material with those characteristics is a Urethane.
~Richard

[10Pups]

Even when cool it has that pulled taffy feel to it. I have a 6x10 sheet (or whatever) and I can easily bend it. Dang now I got to fix my sweet tooth.