Thread: Scale identification ?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

IIRC, a law in effect much as ivory and tortoise. Big pieces are nobueno now.
Here is another pair. Sadly, some panels missing from the box which has a date of Xmas 1907. Don't think it was ever used.

Law is not the issue for MOP.
Quality white MOP come from the same oysters as regular pearls, Pictada Maxima.
It's the same material as the highest grade of pearls.

The species, being actively exploited for perliculture, is in no danger, and there is no excessive cruelty in harnessing the material. Hence no law.
MOP is still available on the market, in different grades.

But not in these sizes.
Culture oysters never (or hardly ever) reach the size you would need for scales nowadays. Not by a lot : you need 7" or so for scales, you can get 5/6" pieces. And it's pricey.

It's more a matter of not being commercially practical or viable than a matter of law : there is more businesses in regular income from oysters that you seed periodically and put back in water than in waiting for the particular ones that will grow big enough to be harvested once.

Originally Posted by Aggelos

Law is not the issue for MOP.
Quality white MOP come from the same oysters as regular pearls, Pictada Maxima.
It's the same material as the highest grade of pearls.

The species, being actively exploited for perliculture, is in no danger, and there is no excessive cruelty in harnessing the material. Hence no law.
MOP is still available on the market, in different grades.

But not in these sizes.
Culture oysters never (or hardly ever) reach the size you would need for scales nowadays. Not by a lot : you need 7" or so for scales, you can get 5/6" pieces. And it's pricey.

It's more a matter of not being commercially practical or viable than a matter of law : there is more businesses in regular income from oysters that you seed periodically and put back in water than in waiting for the particular ones that will grow big enough to be harvested once.

Yes, that is basically the same answer as I got from Dovo back in 2017 when I asked them about their mop scales.

https://sharprazorpalace.com/razors/...p-pearlex.html

Bob

That is interesting. I suppose this is why I still see some real MOP knife scales.
I have no idea why I come up with some things. I did think I had read that somewhere. Addled brain, I suppose.

I see some smaller, thin bits for sale. I may try to replace the missing panels on the box someday.
I should screw that up badly I fear!

Sounds like a good idea since that box is damn gorgeous. And MOP is not that hard to work with provided you don't breathe in the dust.
A fretsaw or even a bandsaw should work nicely, and a belt sander will put it to the correct thickness in a jiff.

And I don't blame you for thinking MOP was protected, so many of the most precious materials are... (And for good reason)