Escher Screws Up a Pick

[escher7]

I wanted to try using Water Buffalo and Amber in a handle but didn't realize how translucent they both were when taken down to
the thickness of such a small implement. As a result you can see through both, revealing the layout lines and other imperfections
under the handles. Had planned a much more decorative design, but when I realized my error I just finished up with a bit of a
polish. Still OK for a using pick but not too pretty.
You can see in the photos that the original pieces looked more opaque.
This one goes out to Gordon who was kind enough to send me a bunch of wiper blades, although some day I will get him a better
collection grade pick.

[Anarchy_won]

Very nice Escher.

[GWiens2001]

Still think that is beautiful work!

Gordon

[jimylongs]

I wish I could screw up a pick that good. Looks good! Is the handle in the picture the Amber? or the water buffalo?

[escher7]

Still think that is beautiful work!

Gordon

Glad you like it since I will be mailing it to you.

[escher7]

I wish I could screw up a pick that good. Looks good! Is the handle in the picture the Amber? or the water buffalo?

The yellow part is amber, the longer part is water buffalo. I really thought the handle would show black and I was going to carve spiral flutes, but it was too transparent. I think I will do one in ebony.

[GWiens2001]

Still think that is beautiful work!

Gordon

Glad you like it since I will be mailing it to you.

That is very kind of you.

Gordon

[rai]

Amber by the block?
baltic amber is translucent and sometimes shows entombed prehistoric insects who got stuck in the sticky tree sap a million years ago,
then theres african amber, opaque and yellow,

a block of amber may be made of scraps of amber heated and melted to flat pieces that can then be sawed into blocks.
I am not clear on this process, Ive only vaguely heard of it.

would love to hear where you bought that block.

[LockManipulator]

If you made the pick underneath smooth and got rid of the layout lines, I think it's great for a handle material! The see throughness adds to the coolness of it

[Jowens90]

I would be more than happy i was able to mess up a pick and it come out that good, thats great work.

[Oldfast]

Still think that is beautiful work!

I think it still turned out really nice!

I think you could also use this 'see through' factor to your advantage if you
were to etch designs or do some cutting on the edges (or something
like that) on the pick itself before putting the handle over it.

Great stuff, as always Escher

[escher7]

Amber by the block?
baltic amber is translucent and sometimes shows entombed prehistoric insects who got stuck in the sticky tree sap a million years ago,
then theres african amber, opaque and yellow,

a block of amber may be made of scraps of amber heated and melted to flat pieces that can then be sawed into blocks.
I am not clear on this process, Ive only vaguely heard of it.

would love to hear where you bought that block.

Rai, it is from a knob shaped piece left over from my knife making days. You can see the piece cut in half in the picture. Amber has become super expensive, especially if it contains bugs etc. As a result, China and others make counterfeit copies. If you google knife making supplies you can find sources for lots of interesting materials, although I have not seen amber lately, probably because of the price.
Here is one knifemaker source:

http://www.texasknife.com

[escher7]

Re using the see through aspect deliberately, Oldfast and Daggers, I thought of that when I saw the effect. The only problem might be the effects of the glue. I have been using a high strength crazy glue lately because epoxy has been failing to bond properly for some reason, and I think that helps the transparency. Epoxy probably would show. I am considering using a liner with some sort of design, since my artistic abilities are limited. We will see.