As a UK based silversmith I read all of the argentium posts avidly,
waiting for its release in the UK (beginning of next year
apparently). However, I have a friend crossing the pond at the end of
next week and a commission for a set of salad servers that would
really suit the alloy. I have been trying to find a supplier in the
US to sort me out with some 3mm sheet for the handles but am having
no joy - Rio only goes up to 1.6mm, Stuller wont touch me as I am not
a US based company and various others either don’t go to this width
or are not geared to supply to an overseas semi professional such as
myself. Can any of you offer me any suggestions? Probably best to
e-mail me off list for this one (chris at collarsandcuffs.co.uk).
... I have been trying to find a supplier in the US to sort me out
with some 3mm sheet for the handles but am having no joy - Rio only
goes up to 1.6mm, Stuller wont touch me as I am not a US based
company....
Hello CP,
While I can’t say whether Stuller could actually supply 3mm sheet I
do know from experience that they’ll do business with off-shore
people. I’m based in Paris and I’ve had no problem ordering from them.
The trick is to ask for a “metals and tools” account first which
they’ll set up for anyone who asks with or without the usual ream of
paperwork that their regular accounts require. The only caveat with
this “metals” account is that you won’t be able to order gems or
finished goods from them.
… I’ve just checked the Stuller “Metals Book”, which is their
metals catalogue and a large section of useful technical information
sandwiched into one, and the thickest Argentium plate they list is
1.63mm. I’ve been told they’ll do special orders but I think there’s
an 100 oz minimum. You’d have to check with them to get the details.
Another possibility comes to mind. I purchase my Argentium from
Kultakeskus in Finland (http://www.kultakeskus.fi/) and receive it as
5mm plate. My guess is that if you got in touch with them you may well
be able to work something out. Keep in mind that they produce their
own Argentium for in-house use so they’re not going to have a wide
range of on-the-shelf stock like Rio or Stuller. If you deal with
them it’ll be a matter of “this is what I need” and the two of you
will have to work it out from there. If nothing else I’d bet they
could sell you some cut-offs from the 5mm plate which you could roll
down for yourself.
Well, there you go: I’m all out of ideas. Good luck with this. Like
you I’m looking forward to the new year when Cooksons is supposed to
come on line with their Argentium stock.