Mother of Pearl engraving experiment

[billrice@charter.net]

I was asked if I could engrave on Mother of Pearl like I do on metal. So I gave it a try. these are for personal inlays on guitars. I found that when you do the right things hand engraving on mother of pearl is possible
let me know what you think.

 

[Eugene Carkoski]

How about a little more information on the point you used, heel Et cetera.

 

[monk]

not shabby at all. rather nice. i thought this material could only be done easily with rotary.

 

[Ed Westerly]

Great job. You had a lot of guts to try it, since all I have heard about MOP is that you couldn't do it! (chips at edges, breaks too easily, etc)

 

[Chujybear]

If the tool cuts down onto the pearl it won't splinter.
Ie a scew edge skated along the lines

 

[Sam]

I've done a bit myself, Bill. Yours looks good. Especially the lettering!

 

[billrice@charter.net]

Thanks Everyone for all the comments.

 

[pat]

Hi Bill,This is a real great first try.Have a look at Larrivee guitars or Gibson banjos.These fine instruments take a very high degree of blood,sweat,tears and money to create.The level of mother of pearl engraving being no exception.Good enough won't do it,they want and will only accept "Over the Top " art.

 

[Chujybear]

Used to work at larrivee. A lifetime ago.
Body sanding and setting inlays.
He does make nice instruments. Those that didn't make the cut were taken out back and smashed.

 

[Arnaud Van Tilburgh]

Looks nice Bill, thanks for sharing this. It confirms that there is more to engrave than just metals. I'm engraving 20 celluloid pen at the moment, that too can be engraved when you pay attention.

arnaud

 

[AndrosCreations]

Thats pretty neat...

...and speaking of Larrivee... i bought one in the late nineties and I think Gene's wife, Wendy did the inlay work. I'm not sure how she does this... it may be more like scrim?