Thread: Any of you artisans work with Abalone?

I have a couple dozen abalone shells, with some nice mother of pearl. Are any of you able to make scales form abalone shells? Interested in trying? What would it cost?

Abalone shell is very hard and brittle to work in it's natural state, and I am not sure how they make the scales out of them. Probably easier to look for some scale blanks.

In my youth I was an avid Ab diver,have tons of shells.I have a feeling these were thin sliced and laminated some how.
As above they are very hard and brittle,almost like glass.

One artisan I know worked with abalone on occasion. This used to be the razor on the front page of Robert Williams website. Elephant ivory scales with abalone inlays on the blade and scales. He told me he wouldn't be working with the stuff again because of the difficulty.

I think I know who that went to (not me in case you were wondering)
From what I heard, Abalone is a difficult material to work with.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I think I know who that went to (not me in case you were wondering)
From what I heard, Abalone is a difficult material to work with.

If you are referring to the RW posted above, it didn't go to me originally, but it is sitting in my drawer as I type ....... I've only shaved with it twice, having it for years now, and it is a great shaver.

Which drawer would that be Mr. Had?