Thread: Oh Nooooo

Feeling sad today mates I was noticing that my favorite straight a 1906 Hibbard Spencer Bartlett was getting too loose so I peened the pin to snug it up and it worked great! That is until I went to stop it and the scales shattered in my hands I feel bad because this blade has lasted for 112 years and I went and broke it. Onward and upward. So this means I get to make my first scales and I was going to use a dark wood like cocobolo. I wanted to ask if this is a suitable choice or is there a better dark wood that would be more suitable.
Thanks

David

I really like bog oak, it's dark and the age/ process that makes it seems fitting for a vintage razor.

This could be a dumb question but can you use a pen blank for scales

Originally Posted by dpompian

This could be a dumb question but can you use a pen blank for scales

Depends. Most are a but small for scales, but there are some larger blanks that would work. Check the dimensions and see if the scale design will fit.

As long as it is long enough. Knife scales and pen blanks tend to be too short for the job so make sure you have enough length and with and it should be fine.

Since it is your razor, you get to choose whatever scales look best to you. It does not really matter what the rest of us thing until you try to sell it. There are lots of scale materials available: wood, horn, bone, micarta, G10, etc. So pick the material, color and texture you like.

If there is a Woodcraft in your area, they might have suitable blanks. Also, Bell Forest sells 1/8" thin stock lumber in a variety of exotic woods.

https://www.bellforestproducts.com/thin-stock-lumber/

I have not purchased from them, so I cannot validate their quality and service.

Originally Posted by dpompian

Feeling sad today mates I was noticing that my favorite straight a 1906 Hibbard Spencer Bartlett was getting too loose so I peened the pin to snug it up and it worked great! That is until I went to stop it and the scales shattered in my hands I feel bad because this blade has lasted for 112 years and I went and broke it. Onward and upward. So this means I get to make my first scales and I was going to use a dark wood like cocobolo. I wanted to ask if this is a suitable choice or is there a better dark wood that would be more suitable.
Thanks

David

First and foremost, you didn't break the blade, the scales just reached the end of their usability. I once went to just hone a razor for a guy and the celluloid scales just crumbled in my hand.

Now if you have your heart set on wood, check out this site. They have not only an excellent selection of materials but the Customer Service is Outstanding.

For a small fee they will cut the blocks into 1/8" or so slabs for you. They use a very large bandsaw that takes a 1" blade but is much smaller than a table saw or hand saw so you don't lose as much to the kerf.

With that said, if you do choose wood you would probably have to agree not to hold them responsible for any warping after the cuts.

Anyway, here's the link to the wood blocks, but be sure to check out the acrylics also.

Wood Spindles - Woodturningz

Bellforest is well aware of SRP in fact the 1/8" cuts were done years ago in response to so many of the SRP members asking

They are awesome to work with

They are also one of the few sights that list Jenka hardness numbers, hardwood sometimes aren't that hard I try to never go below 2000 on that scale just something extra to consider

Glen am I correct or don't you use a couple of drops of super glue in the holes in wooden scales to help harden that area up for pinning or am I on drugs?

Your absolutely right, Roy.
I even go to the point of making sure the inside of the scales get a coat, as well as doing the outside with a oil based sealant, of some sorts.