So far vinegar soaking has delivered the best overall results with Abalone for me, but even then small hairline cracks are visible. Yesterday I tried something on a whim and it will be my Abalone method of choice from now on. I scanned a piece of Abalone and saved it to disc. Then I took some of the decal media from the Rodmaker article and just printed myself some Abalone.

In photoshop I can color the Abalone to whatever shade or color hue I want. Wtih the different media available, you can get various effects including one that looks close enough to the genuine article to fool most anyone who looks at it. I have printed, applied and finished Abalone on white, gold, sliver and holographic papers. The stuff on white is closest to original if that's what you're after. The holo paper has the same reflective properties as the real thing although can be a bit overwhelming in the sunlight. On gold and silver paper a certain tint to those colors takes place. All look good and none show any cracks or imperfections.

This is the quickest, easiest and best looking Abalone inlay work I have turned out so far. I don't get many calls for it and would rarely do this on a customer's rod, but if requested, this is how I'll do it from now on. It is also much lighter than using real Abalone when that is a consideration. Purists will want to continue using the genuine article, all others may want to give this a try and see how they like it. Just one more avenue to get a similar effect without the cracking or time involved in the other Abalone methods.

Absolutely briliant, Bill. That's thinking "ouside the box".

The quality of your printed Abalone depends mostly on the quality of your scanner and ability of your printer. What I have cooked up is almost identical to the genuine article but lacks the sparkle and glint, until a thick coat of finish is applied. With holo you have it right out of the box, but it is almost more colorful than actual Abalone.

Great idea. I wonder how it would look printed on clear decal paper with an underwrap of metallic gold or metallic silver thread? Do any thread makers have a white thread with a metallic look, pearl perhaps. That might provide the extra vibrancy associated with the real thing.

Thanks,
Chad Huderle

Huderle Custom Rods
Prior Lake, MN

Do you mean Gudebrod metallic pearl? Which is also available in the 1/8" wide braid.

Yes. Not sure about 1/8" wide but size A is what I've used in the past. As an example, the walleye on this link was done with a gold (non-metallic) size A underwrap. What ever I didn't want to show through the decal was colored black.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Thanks,
Chad Huderle

Huderle Custom Rods
Prior Lake, MN

As the old saying goes: "Seeing is believing" --- So POST SOME PICTURE FOR US!


Rena

Bill, where does one obtain the white, gold, and holographic papers that you mentioned above. Great idea, the cracking .has been giving me problems big time even with trying various techniques. Thanks you your help.

Leo futrell

Swampland Tackle - sponsor to the left - has the print media.

Bill in WV

Just reading this to my lady, and she said, "What about doing this with snake skins? Or gator skins?"
I have been buying snake skins (python, cobra, etc) from an online @#$%& site as well as from our friends at Mudhole and using them in place of diamond wraps and in handle inlays over graphite tubing, but the skins are expensive. This could be a viable alternative. Has anyone tried it yet?