Vintage Mother Of Pearl (MOP) Knives

[LongBlade]

Mason beat me to it - nice lot of MOP KJ but would love to see your favorites

And thanks Mason for the compliment on the Southington

[gsmith7158]

Lee and Joe have been tearing this thread up But looks like KJ is about to rip it to shreds. Bring it on boys I'm lovin it.

[FRJ]

A beautiful collection of pearls, KJ.

[FRJ]

Here's an old New York Knife equal end. A pearl that lasted a good long time under use. 3 1/2"

[FRJ]

Here's a great little 3 1/8" used Robeson with a clip for a main blade. 722319

[FRJ]

Here's a little Case XX 9201. Snappy!

[FRJ]

A tiny Robeson. 722290 2 9/16" (never knew that crack was there)

[FRJ]

Frye Phipps & Co.

[FRJ]

Cattaraugus Pen.

[FRJ]

Case XX manicure knife. 8261 ..... A little charmer .........

[FRJ]

Here's a little Case XX 9201. Snappy!

I got fooled: This is imitation pearl.

[FRJ]

MAN OVER BOARD!! MAN OVER BOARD!!
OK, I may have gone a little over board in this thread, but it was lot of fun setting the knives up and adjusting my camera six ways to sunday to spend a lot of time taking pictures, which I love to do.
So, three more knives and a group picture.
Thanks for your indulgence.

Three Robesons .............

[FRJ]

And the third and the herd.

[LongBlade]

Joe .... I think it was more our indulgence buddy - Thanks for sharing that string of awesome pearl knives - can't call them a herd unless they were bone or ivory ...

[FRJ]

Thanks, Lee. OK, maybe a bunch of bottom feeders.
I'm glade you liked them.

[steve99f]

Wow Joe ! Nice pearl.

[gsmith7158]

Wowza!!! What a spread. I've got a new one inbound but will almost be embarassed to show it after Lee and Joe's bombardments.

[FRJ]

Thank you Steve and Greg.

Looking forward to seeing your new knife, Greg.

[gsmith7158]

Thank you Steve and Greg.

Looking forward to seeing your new knife, Greg.

Another little Empire Joe. A two blade pen this time.

[Dinadan]

Joe - nice job of catching the fire in the MOP. I have tried many times with varying success. Getting the lighting and angle perfect takes a bit of doing for me. Fine collection you have there!

[FRJ]

Thanks so much, Mel.
I'm finding that low, subdued light works best for me. Fortunately, I have an adjustable camera so I use a high ISO setting/fast shutter speed, refined image and adjust light coming into the camera.
I also have collected materials to form a book of backgrounds and a steady stick.
It needs some refinement and is a plan in progress but it works in most situations for me.
Thanks again.

[kootenay joe]

Joe are you using a tripod ? And, what is a 'steady stick' for ?
kj

[FRJ]

Thank you, KJ, no, I don't use a tripod. I use the steady stick (my term) to steady the camera and maintain elevation from the subject.
It's only 1/3rd as effective but the image stabilizer in camera takes up the slack.
The attachment will give you an idea of the use of the stick. I need to redesign the stick.

[kootenay joe]

I had forgotten that newer cameras can have image stabilization. I still think a tripod would be helpful as it frees up your hands to position knives exactly as you want them. They are inexpensive, start at ~ $30.
kj

[Dinadan]

Sometimes I also use a steady stick. Most of my photos are taken in front of my window over the garage. I use a little plastic step stool with various materials on top for background texture and color. My window faces west, and for the best MOP shots I like the long slanting rays of the declining sun.

Sometimes I have a little visitor in the background on the window ledge.

This is what the setting sun does to a Bulldog.