Went by Woodcraft with the wife while we were out shopping. I showed her some of the cool woods they had. And she picked out a nice piece for me to make into scales. It had a label on it saying "Certified Authentic Bethlehem Olivewood". I asked the guys at the store if they could cut it up for me and what they would charge. They said they are not allowed to do it. Bummer!
So I went home, and hated to do it, but used my table saw to cut it into 1/8" thick blanks.
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I think these will make for some very nice looking scales.
While I was at Woodcraft, I found a pen blank that was see-thru in Orange with streaks of brown like the scales I had just made and bought it to cut up and make a wedge for the orange scales I just made. Got it sanded and pinned up just a bit ago. Here is what it looks like now. Just needs a trip across the stones...
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The wedge turned out being a little yellow after thinning it down, but it's see-thru to match the scales. And I think I did a nice job on the wedge.
I've got two sets of wood scales in the finishing stage. Trying to do a bit of grain filling. Then to the many coats of Tru-oil for the last. Maybe in a week or two, I should have them ready.