Thread: Jade hones which I would like to see be made into scales

Jade is of course mined and there is plenty of it. First you have to distinguish between nephrite which is called jade but isn't and is cheap and plentiful and the mineral Jadeite which is the real mccoy. Usually colorless to green and in between. The stuff thats transparent is worth a fortune and the translucent stuff is much cheaper. Opaque stuff is reasonable. True Jadeite is very hard stuff.

Originally Posted by shayne

spencer,

perhaps some of you have seen chinese women wearing jade bracelets the solid round ones. the conventional wisdom is even if they fall down most likely the bracelet wouldnt break. they look kinda frail (the bracelets not the women) but its really tough material I think.

My mother tried on an antique Jade bracelet around 40 years ago. She then couldn't get it off. She has worn it ever since. I was told the story that if you fell and the bracelet broke it saved your life.

I have some Jade hiding somewhere in my basement and this thread is going to start another project.

Tim

Scales need to flex...

Rule no.1 for happy lifestyles: Know the boundaries of form and function. Trying to cross them will only result in frustration, and $90 of ruined jade...

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Scales need to flex...

...

I might be showing my ignorance here but I thought that was the reason that some scales used a third pin.

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

I might be showing my ignorance here but I thought that was the reason that some scales used a third pin.

Tim

Adding a third pin does nothing to make a material any more flexible. It can be used to add a little extra bow to a flexible material, but it doesn't change the properties of the scale itself.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

Adding a third pin does nothing to make a material any more flexible. It can be used to add a little extra bow to a flexible material, but it doesn't change the properties of the scale itself.

I thought the third pin was to keep the blade from falling through a wide gap in material that wasn't flexable.

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

I thought the third pin was to keep the blade from falling through a wide gap in material that wasn't flexable.

Tim

I really wish I had the computer skills to make some sort of graphic, but even if the third pin was supporting the razor, the scales would still need to flex to meet at the tang of the razor...

Without a picture I don't really know how to explain it... but take a look at good scales, and you might see what I'm talking about. I'll try and scan a sketch to show what I mean.

You probably could create a set of scales such that the scales don't flex and the third pin acts to support the tang.... in much the same way that you can shave with a microtome. Or you could make shoes out of your hones... There are ways to make it work, but there are other things which are designed for the job.

Originally Posted by BKratchmer

, but even if the third pin was supporting the razor, the scales would still need to flex to meet at the tang of the razor...

Without a picture I don't really know how to explain it... but take a look at good scales, and you might see what I'm talking about. I'll try and scan a sketch to show what I mean.

I will take a look at mine. I see that you have mentioned attending the Minnesota meet and I do to. This would be a good topic of discussion as I learn better by seeing. And I can explain myself better in person.

If the tang was designed to have flexable scales it would be tapered to make them flex. For rigid scales a paralell tang design wouldn't impart forces on the scales. Would the solution be a custom tang for custom scales? Rambling again and time for me to go to bed.

Tim

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Or you could make shoes out of your hones...

Nice mental image there.