Jerry, The flat topping that you refer to is an indication of less time spent on the pattern. After the initial master lines are cut, each line needs to be deepened or pointed up. To finish full cuts, each diamond needs to be cut on all four sides. Cutting on two sides only often results in a flat top appearance.
Intentional flat checkering , as with some english, is done with entirely different tools, spacing and angle of the cutter. What you are seeing is hastly done work.
As for beads, many are simply press fit. When they are threaded they are usually 3x56 or 4x40. We have seen altered threads to anything imaginable.
Brad
|
Threaded Mode