Lexan?

[Ray Hammond]

I've just been awarded two huge pieces of lexan- at least that's what I think it is.

1 1/2 inches thick, 4 inches wide by 12 inches long

Is there anything this can be used for?

[kbaknife]

You could knock some hogs on the head with it.

[Ray Hammond]

it is pretty heavy. Its crystal clear too.

Just didn't want to let them throw it out at work, without seeing if there was something that could be done with it.

[skullworks]

I used to work at the GE Lexan Plant in Burkville, AL. Lexan is some amazing stuff! I know a 3/4" thick piece will stop a .45 ACP FMJ. Been there done that! Not sure how well it would work for knife scales though.

[Ray Hammond]

maybe a full tang damascus blade fully etched front to back, with shaped lexan scales to show the whole blade front to back?

[madness522]

That would look very cool Ray.  But you would have to find an epoxy that dried clear so you could still see the damascus.

[Tim Fishell]

Like Skullworks said Lexan is some amazing stuff.  It is the same material that is used for Nascar cars windshields.  We use a lot of it for machine guarding.  It is basically shatter proof plexi-glass.  The cool thing about Lexan is you can put a 1/4" thick piece in a break and bend it 90 degrees without it cracking and no heat required.

A damascus blade with clear scales would look awesome but the stuff does tend to scratch quite easy.

[Lin Rhea]

Ray,
     I know where you are going and it may work. The only thing is, I would not use any glue between the scales and the tang, unless it will contribute to the effect of transparency. After all, your trying to see everything and you want it to look clean. I can envision a blade that is drilled etched and then have the scales completely finished and polished and just pin them being Veerrrryyyy careful.
       I also think that a knife built with the "through tang" construction would be cool to show the inner workings of the knife. It could actually be sealed and glued up, but you could see how things went togther. It might be great for demonstration purposes. Lin

[kbaknife]

I think you'd better send me a chunk of that, Ray, and I'll do a take-down that shows the construction process.

[Kevin Evans]

Hey Ray, Thats a great idea ,Can I sugest gold pins!!!  

[prarieboy]

I think all the knife ideas are great and want to see em when Your done>>>>>>But one thing keeps poppin in my ol bean is if You could turn it on a lathe it would make an awsome coyote or duck call..... Just thinkin

[Ray Hammond]

Well,Rooster I think if we have to go without glue we are going to have to use those chamfered bolts that Lin used in his hidden tang tutorial

Are those available in gold?

Prairie Boy, if I send you a chunk, will you make one for me and one for yourself? Hint Hint I need a coyote call.

[Lin Rhea]

Ray,
 Just a suggestion. You will have a lot of money tied up in Gold if you use Gold bolts. Most of the Gold material will never be seen, because the drilled holes will probably "milk" over and not be transparent. Unless you can polish them, of course. If I was to use Gold at all, I would use pins and pien them to get heads on them. That way, you use smaller material and it will cost less for the stock. Gold is expensive, but the payoff is that it is so soft and will work better than about anything else. This is just something to think about if you decide to go with Gold. Lin

[OconeeDan]

Another idea is to line it with thin veneer of mother of pearl or abalone.
I think a "hidden tang" would be cool too, as previously suggested.  
Another idea for full tang knives, is to get the inside of the scales polished well, have them laser etched with some design on the inside, before assembly.
Dan

[Kevin Evans]

Ray I think thats a great idea with the transparent scales,would be able to see Damascus pattern maybe and gold pins or anything else you use.If your like me though I get the idea in my head (thats easy)Pulling it off a whole nother story,Good Luck Buddy!!!!

[Ray Hammond]

Karl,

Do you want some to do one with? I've got enough to send you a piece as well

[prarieboy]

Hey Ray I would do my best to make You one that You could be proud of.
A chunk 3 to 3.5"long x 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" should work well for one.a 1"x1" will work But it would basicly be a straight cylinder.
I would enjoy doin this. C-Ya Bob