Thread: 7/8 Traditional razor with faux Ivory scales

For this one, I was requested to make a traditional razor, 7/8 round point Damascus, with a preference for natural scales. I kept the blade design traditional Sheffield because that is my preference for vintage.

My original plan for the scales was using the mammoth ivory I bought at the Gembloux show. They were scraps, and I thought I could make a couple of scales out of them. That didn't work exactly as planned, because they didn't curve the way I needed. Out of the cuts I made, I could make 2 scales. Sadly they were for the same side of the razor so now I am the proud owner of a pile of mammoth ivory scraps. With a bit of luck I can reuse them for a small paring knife or such.

My backup plan was casein, which I also bought at that show. Cassein is made from milk protein, and has the color of ivory and a bit of texture. It is odd material to work with. It saws really easy, and hogs out really easy. It also warps significantly when sawing it lengthwise. And the sawdust is really, really, REALLY fluffy. As in: when I was done sawing, I opened my bandsaw, and it was filled completely with casseing fluff, as if someone had stuffed it with rockwool.

It is also porous initially, so you have to work with clean hands to avoid rubbing crud in the pores. But if you buff it after 500 grit hand sanding, you get a nice shiny sealed surface.

Love the classic look of this one Bruno. Really nice!

I love this one, Bruno. I get a kick out of some of your far out designs, but this one is a real gem. Beautiful.

Nice. You can call that one the "Cheese Knife" But seriously, let us know how that cassein material holds up under wet use. It looks very good.