Post by mystickoi on Aug 16, 2011 19:49:32 GMT -5
Long story, but I'll post the semi-short version.
Years ago when we first opened our koi business, we met a talented stone mason that was doing waterfalls for koi ponds (among other stone and masonry work). He offered to build the waterfall on one of the display ponds we were working on, in exchange for references (a good deal for both of us). Here is the waterfall he built for us (some of these boulders weigh in the tons).
Gosanke Pond by Mystic Koi, on Flickr
He also was working on another pond for one his customers, and brought over half pickup truck load of extra rock that he had left over. He told me that these boulders (they ranged in size from football size to several feet across) were Indian Paint Stones that he had a mine claim to. I thought... wow, cool looking rocks, but never gave it any more thought. Anyway, over time he would come in and take a few here and there, until one day he told me that the mine rights had been closed by the BLM, and so there was no more to be had. Some years back he ended up moving out of state, and so I threw the remaining rocks around our garden area for decoration.
Last year, when I got interested in making cabs, I thought about these rocks again, but all of them are much too large to slab on my little 10" saw. Recently, I found a good deal used 16" Covington saw, and so again started looking at the "smaller" stones I had laying around. I found one that looked to have neat patterns, but it was still several inches too large for my machine. However, I heard of a local rock club that had several large saws, and so off I went to get it trimmed down a bit. The guys over at the club house (Yucaipa Valley) went nuts over the stuff... I had to tell them the whole (long version) story! One guy in particular was so helpful that I ended up giving him a large chunk.
Anyway, I brought the rough back and made several slabs, and then these cabs from it. My associate over here bought a very nice Damascus knife blank that he wants handles made from the material as well (I'm currently working on a knife using Polish Flint, and so he has to wait).
Indian Paint Stone by Mystic Koi, on Flickr
Indian Paint Stone by Mystic Koi, on Flickr
Thanks for looking, and I hope my story was of some minor interest!
Regards,
Bill
Years ago when we first opened our koi business, we met a talented stone mason that was doing waterfalls for koi ponds (among other stone and masonry work). He offered to build the waterfall on one of the display ponds we were working on, in exchange for references (a good deal for both of us). Here is the waterfall he built for us (some of these boulders weigh in the tons).
Gosanke Pond by Mystic Koi, on Flickr
He also was working on another pond for one his customers, and brought over half pickup truck load of extra rock that he had left over. He told me that these boulders (they ranged in size from football size to several feet across) were Indian Paint Stones that he had a mine claim to. I thought... wow, cool looking rocks, but never gave it any more thought. Anyway, over time he would come in and take a few here and there, until one day he told me that the mine rights had been closed by the BLM, and so there was no more to be had. Some years back he ended up moving out of state, and so I threw the remaining rocks around our garden area for decoration.
Last year, when I got interested in making cabs, I thought about these rocks again, but all of them are much too large to slab on my little 10" saw. Recently, I found a good deal used 16" Covington saw, and so again started looking at the "smaller" stones I had laying around. I found one that looked to have neat patterns, but it was still several inches too large for my machine. However, I heard of a local rock club that had several large saws, and so off I went to get it trimmed down a bit. The guys over at the club house (Yucaipa Valley) went nuts over the stuff... I had to tell them the whole (long version) story! One guy in particular was so helpful that I ended up giving him a large chunk.
Anyway, I brought the rough back and made several slabs, and then these cabs from it. My associate over here bought a very nice Damascus knife blank that he wants handles made from the material as well (I'm currently working on a knife using Polish Flint, and so he has to wait).
Indian Paint Stone by Mystic Koi, on Flickr
Indian Paint Stone by Mystic Koi, on Flickr
Thanks for looking, and I hope my story was of some minor interest!
Regards,
Bill
