Anyone venture into making knife handles yet?, Lapidary Options

[EchoBravo]

Had an opportunity to buy a couple Damascus Chef knife blanks. That folded metal looks so cool, I figured I would try to make a knife handle for them out of stone. Unfortunately I do not have a saw big enough to cut some slabs of my own (someday). So I bought a real nice slab of Stone Canyon Jasper off of Etsy. Then attempted my first knife handles. Was a bit of a challenge with my machines but thought It turned out decent. Now to find the right slab for my second knife :^) (yes this was spurred on by that Forged in Fire show ha ha)

Knife came well oil & wrapped in plastic.


Stone Canyon Jasper.



Midway thru the process with temporary pins in the knife to steady the stones so I can monitor how close to the steel I was getting. A couple different angles.




Finished product with brass pins & tinted epoxy for seal/waterproofing handles to the steel (this is where I need a little more practice).

[swizz]

Thanks Mike!
Stone is incredibly difficult to shape for knife scales unless you have serious lapidary equipment. It's extremely beautiful when done properly... but also impractical, unfortunately. The primary reasons being weight, balance, and stone is brittle if dropped. They make for some of the best looking show knives for sure. Check out the works of Jay Fisher Knives for some eye-popping creations, very inspirational.
Keep up the great work!!