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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,731
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Help please. Does anyone have a piece of Ray skin (Shagrin) to do a restoration on a Dha handle. Would need a piece approx 8" x 6".
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#2 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 520
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I do not have any but I have gotten it before at Tandy Leather if there are any of those stores where you are. they also have a web site
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#3 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,731
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Regards |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
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Hi Stuart, I'll have a look in my local leather supplier when they open up again, could be a little while as they closed their door whilst there is a family illness. I reckon they might just have some as I am amazed everytime I go there with the amount any variation they have. I'll keep you posted.
PM me your email addy if you like. best regards Gavin Australia PS how do customs view the import of this skin....any trouble you think?? |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ca, usa
Posts: 92
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You might try Fred Lohman if you can't find it elsewhere:
http://www.japanese-swords.com/ |
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#6 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,731
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 987
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#8 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
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Here's the environmentalist message:
Sharks and rays are declining all over the world, due to overfishing (i.e. for shark fins), by-catch, and habitat loss. Some of the largest rays and sharks are endangered, whether they are listed or not. The basic problem for all these fish is that they are long-lived and reproduce slowly. Hence, any poorly controlled fishing can mess them up quickly, and they take a long time to recover. As top predators, their disappearance has major impacts all the way down the food chain, and can cause things like increased disease outbreaks in game fish (sharks eat sick fish and can stop outbreaks) and unwelcome changes in coral reef structure (coral-eating fish multiply, and overgraze reefs). That said, I'm not against using shagrin on a sword. The question is, can you use existing skin (perhaps by recycling it from a woman's purse) as opposed to killing a ray just for a hand-sized piece of skin? If you can, then it makes sense to do so. Considering CITES issues, it also makes sense to use a demonstrably older resource, because those are not regulated by CITES regulations, whereas fresh material is. My 0.02 cents, F |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
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Thanks Mark and Fearn.
Yes I am well aware of CITIES and agree re killing just for the sake of it is not on. I have decided to wait until I can either get a piece from a handbag or wallet (or shoes). It would really not matter if it was artificial as I believe it is VERY hard to tell the difference unless you look at the back---which of course would be hidden on the handle. Also I have got on to a local source of Skate skin--related to the Ray, but much smaller, and a commercial fish species here. Something will suit I'm sure, but it has to look right otherwise there is little point in restoration. Will see how things pan out, but in the meantime, thanks to all who have given suggestions. Will post some pics at a later date when restoration is done. Stuart |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,247
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Great news, Stuart. If you go with the skate skin, I'd be interested in hearing how it works out.
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#11 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 2,731
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Hi Fearn,
Will certainly let you know (if I remember!!). F Y I The item I am restoring (as far as is possible) is the Dha ref thread Very Long Dha--have a look. Stuart |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 293
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Fearn, thank you for reminding all of us of our environmental responsibilities.
I would like to share a couple of photos I took a few weeks ago on mantas being hunted and slaughtered for their meat and skin. Very sad ![]() On the ligher side, private initiatives are already taking place in order to provide alternative livelihood for these subsistence fishermen. If I may add ... The degradation of the environment has also caused the demise of some ethnic peoples who made beautiful bladed weapons. For centuries, they have relied on nature's abundance for food, habitation, etc. Unfortunately, the commercial onslaught/harvesting of these natural resources (mainly coming from external economies) has negatively impacted the environment and consequently, these peoples. My 2 cents. Stuart, your decision is commendable. I hope that it will serve as an example for all of us sharing the same love for arms and bladed weapons. Nonoy |
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#13 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
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