Introducing our
NEW Abalone Shell Inlay for your custom rod!
What is Abalone Inlay?
| Mother of pearl (nacre) is the material which
composes the pearl oyster (Pinctada species) shell, although
normally the term refers only to the interior lining of the
shell. All shelled mollusks possess a shell lining that
resembles mother of pearl, but those of the pearl oyster and
abalone are especially attractive and the shells are large
enough to yield reasonably large flat pearl blanks. Oyster
mother of pearl is usually white or gold, with red, blue, and
green iridescence and often with swirl, "eyes," a curly pattern,
or other figure that results from proximity to the hinge or from
imperfections or worm borings in the outer shell. |
Sample Abalone Inlays |
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click image to enlarge
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Pearl oysters are native to the warmer parts of the Pacific and
Indian Oceans, from the Gulf of California to the Red Sea, and
are "farmed" in Asia for the cultured pearl industry. I don't
know if they are also used for food. I also don't know what, if
any, percentage |
of the pearl oyster
shells that are imported for inlay pearl originate in cultured
oyster beds, but I hope it's large. Abalone (several Haliotis
species, of which red and green abalone are the most popular for
inlay) is confined to cold water parts of the Pacific Ocean, and
doesn't occur in the Indian Ocean. Abalone for inlay originates
completely from "wild" specimens harvested for their meat, which
is considered an ultimate seafood delicacy. Some abalone is now
being farmed, and perhaps in the future most of the commercial
material for food and shell will originate from such sources.
Other materials occasionally or commonly used for fishing rod
inlay include bone, ivory, tortoise shell, silver, gold, brass,
nickel silver, and various woods and plastics ("mother of toilet
seat"). Each has its own peculiarities, but the process for
cutting and inlaying all such materials is basically the same.
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| Several steps are entailed in converting an arched shell to flat
pieces for inlay blanks. Once they have been handcrafted on your new
rod and covered with epoxy rod finish, you will have a custom rod
that is truly unique and that you can be truly be proud of for a
lifetime of service. |
click image to enlarge |
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| I hope you will consider this beautiful process for your next
custom rod project. Give me a call and we'll get started on your
masterpiece that will be the envy of all the guys at the marina!
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click image to enlarge |
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Check out more examples on our
Rods, Wraps, and Guides page! |
