A HARD QUESTION ABOUT MOTHER OF PEARL HANDLE MATERIAL???

Roger - 50/2050 · Post by **Roger - 50/2050** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:40 pm

Howdy Boys,

I have a few questions about White Mother of Pearl handle material, I have two Fightn Rooster Stockmans & one KA-Bar Congress where the Mother of Pearl handles are starting to show signs of "Milking" (natural clouding of the material) & what I would like to know is what causes this & how do I get rid of it???

"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:43 pm

Hi Roger - 50/2050. If possible, please show photos of what you mean by 'milking' I've not heard of this before. Thanks in advance.

s-k

Roger - 50/2050 · Post by **Roger - 50/2050** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:09 pm

Hey S-K,

I have tried several times to capture this in a photo but taking shots of this handle material is not my strong suite, what I can tell you & my other friends here is I noticed this clouding in the Pearl on cleaning & care day six months ago so I took these knives to a friend that is a Jeweler & that is how I came to use this term "Milking", he also told me there was a way to get rid of this condition but I didn't follow through with it at that time, my friend has since passed away so that is why I am posting these questions to find out??? ....It is occurring on the bottom parts of all three knives close to the back springs, looks as though the Pearls luster is clouded like a thin layer of Milk on a glass or another way to put this is it also looks like one of those old time ghost Marbles, that's all I have on this!

"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 8:48 pm

Roger ; Again I fell it is a cemical reaction to the left over polish.
This is what started me thinking of pressure washing a knife to wash out the gunk left behind. Sorry I can NOT help.

Open the blades 1/2 do you see any pitting starting on the springs yet?
Any black gunk on the springs?

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:13 pm

Hello Roger 50-2050. I've tried to research this for you. Most of what I read applies to pearls but it seems the principle is pretty much the same. The clouding and lack of lustre is usually a result of contact with chemicals, cleaners, acrid sweat which breaks down the nacre. The only possible remedy I have seen is to clean very gently with a damp soft cloth and possibly a very mild cleanser (e.g., a little baby shampoo) if there is any dirt or build-up. Once cleaned and dried, rubbing a little olive oil on with a very soft cloth may bring back some of the lustre. I am going to try it on an old pearl knife of mine to see what happens. I would not want you to try this on a prized possession to find that it worsens the condition. This is not intended as expert advice. Maybe soemone who knows more about this will have some suggestions. Best wishes,

s-k

Roger - 50/2050 · Post by **Roger - 50/2050** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:16 am

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the in put! ....S-K, let me know your findings when you have the time ....Ken, there is no black stuff in any of the three knives, no pitting either on the back springs as all the back springs look almost new mint! ....If any of you have anything to add for me, Cowboy up with your comments as I'M all ears, OK???

"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 5:54 pm

Hi Roger-50/2050.I tried rubbing a small amount of olive oil on to an old pearl handled knife. I used a cotton swab and let is sit for about 5 mins before wiping it away. It didn't seem to have any noticable effect on the cloudy parts. Sorry

s-k

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:25 pm

Roger,

I can offer no help personally, as I am talentless around most tools...

However, I'm going to suggest that you might contact these folks...

http://www.motherofpearl.net/

...and ask them for some input. Maybe they can help us, as I have a couple of pieces that seem to exhibit what you may be describing.

Just a thought.

Bill

Roger - 50/2050 · Post by **Roger - 50/2050** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:22 pm

Hey Bill, S-K & Ken,

I sent an e-mail to Jason Casada of "Mother of Pearl Co., Inc." about this problem & here is his answer back to me with the below recommendation's for cures to this "milking effect" problem!

"Dear Roger,

Thank you for your e-mail. First of all, the gentleman from UK was pretty much dead on. His information is accurate and a good recommendation.

I am assuming that this is not just a surface problem? I do have a recommendation for a surface milkiness.

Unless the problem is under the pearl against the liner, there is not much you can do. If the problem is under the pearl, then the pearl can be removed, lightly sanded and re-handled.

How old are these knives? The most likely cause is contact with some type of oil for a prolonged period of time. If these knives have been carried on a daily basis, then even constant contact with the oils in ones skin will cause the nacre to dis-color.

One other cause could be exposure to another knife with a dyed bone or other natural material handle. Pearl knives should be stored in a clean,dry cloth.

While mother of pearl is probably the most stable and sought after natural handle material, it can still be "contaminated" if exposed to just the right, or I guess wrong, conditions.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Thank you,

Jason Casada
Mother of Pearl Co., Inc."

Ken, It seems you were correct about the oil as Jason's theory on the oils is most probably correct in this case!

S-K, You had the right idea my friend, your brain child answer was right on the money & I will be trying it out real soon to see what happens? ....I know I do not want to remove the handles for Jason's other cure!

Bill, Thanks for pushing me in the right direction on this matter!

Guys, I will be writing Jason back to let him know the year made on all three knives & if he has any more recommendations I will give ya'll an up date ASAP! ....Thanks again guys for all your help on this matter, I just knew I could count on my knifer friends here on this site, you guys are the best & I really appreciate all of your efforts!!!

"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:04 pm

Thanks for the effort Roger.

If nothing else, part of the learning experience for sure.

Bye the bye...I've heard of folks using beeswax to improve luster (or lustre for S/K

), which it does do. However, I didn't notice any change in the cloudy/milky area.

Bill

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:18 pm

Hi Roger. Thanks for posting this for us. You're most welcome

. I'm going to try to work-in the oil a little more on the weekend and let you know what develops. If you have any success, please let us know.

s-k

justold52 · Post by **justold52** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:51 pm

Roger Let me know what oil and polish I should use on mother of pearl.

I just reciver the Water Pik but still have not found the right oil to use yet I have not tryed WD-40 yet. Will this hurt Mother of Pearl ?

smiling-knife · Post by **smiling-knife** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:56 pm

Hi Ken... please do not use WD40 anywhere near your mother of pearl handles. It is solvents and cleansers that produce the damage. Try to keep chemical polishes off the mop.

s-k