Thread: Scale Preferences

Hope this subject hasn't come up recently, but what type scales do you prefer and why? While many will say looks or personal preference, what I'm interested in is functionality and lasting ability. What do you look for besides good metal?

At the moment I have a preference towards horn. I love the feel and looks of it. I also particularly like the transformation enacted by pure neatsfoot oil on vintage examples. The first time it's like magic.

i look for wood, horn, bone.
because i like the more vintage feel of it and because they look good;
I'm not really into plastics and ivory is mostly to pricey for my wallet

Ladies and gentlemen:

I prefer a specific set of scales for a specific razor, everything from plastic to bone. If the scales complement the razor, then they are my favorites — for that razor. Many of my razors have bone scales — and they are a perfect match. I also have wood and plastic — all perfect matches.

Regards,
Obie

Ivory. Always have done.

1) Ivory
2) Buffalo horn
3) Ebony
4) Stag
5) Cow horn
6) Ram's horn
7) Cracked Ice

more here and here.

Most will tell you once you have handled Elephant Ivory there is nothing else like it and that's my top choice. After that I like wood.

Original is my favorite with vintage razors whenever possible and whatever the material is. With customs ivory, horn, stag horn, ram's horn, and wood in that order. I don't mind a nice acrylic or carbon fiber for a rescale. Micarta is good too.

I've been shying away from the synthetic scales lately. I'm nuts for horn and bone, but not wood so much. The wood scales I've been seeing are just to big and bulky looking.

Wood, horn and bone for me too. I like some celluloid scales if they are interesting, but basically anything organic works for me..!