Thread: Help with scales.

So I'm sitting here looking at razors and my wife goes "Why do they call them scales?" I had to admit, I don't know.

Can someone provide an education on this? Thanks!

I don't know. Maybe a long time ago, the scales were made out of some kind of animals scales, like crocodile or something.

I always thought it went back to the fish metaphor. The scales are on the sides. Life is full of fish metaphors.

I assumed it's because they balance out the razor during use and enclose it otherwise.

The English term "scale" is derived from the Old English word "scell" and German word "schale" and "scala" which all translate to "shell". "Schale" is the term used for the straight razor handle in German, so they are basically calling it a shell. I am guessing it's called that because it is the part of the razor that contains the blade when closed (like a shell).
In the English Dialect Dictionary (pg. 235), one of the definitions for "Scale" is "The ivory, horn, or other covering of the handle of a knife".


I would just tell anybody who ask that they got their name from old terminology.



All this information is just what I came up with from Internet research.


Sources:
Online Etymology Dictionary
http://straightrazorpalace.com/srpwi...ic_Anatomy.png
The English dialect dictionary ... - Google Books

I thought they were called 'scales' as a well made pair always provide balance to the razor. Glen originally illustrated this a couple of years ago demonstrating a razor should balance on the tang.

Originally Posted by Scipio

I thought they were called 'scales' as a well made pair always provide balance to the razor. Glen originally illustrated this a couple of years ago demonstrating a razor should balance on the tang.

Not too sure. But...

I read on Wiki that the straight razor handle is also called:

Schale - German, meaning shell (which is what the word scale is derived from).

Manche - French, meaning sleve

Cacha - Spanish, meaning handle


I bet people called the handle schales in the old days back in Germany and England and over time and with western movement it just became spelled scales.


The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Scale - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Originally Posted by doncarlt86

Not too sure. But...

I read on Wiki that the straight razor handle is also called:

Schale - German, meaning shell (which is what the word scale is derived from).

Manche - French, meaning sleve

Cacha - Spanish, meaning handle


I bet people called the handle schales in the old days back in Germany and England and over time and with western movement it just became spelled scales.


The straight razor - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Scale - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

So I'm going to go with the explanation that: They're called scales from a German term meaning shell. You could think of them as the razor case. Sounds good.

Thanks for doing the research!