Thread: Rescaled Dowd Blake & Co 'Barbers Choice'

Here's a Dowd Blake I just made some scales for, and here's some scales I'm working on. Still need to do some rounding and detail work etc. Engraving and what not. Will be dyed black with white engraving if all goes well. The wedge doesn't work the greatest on that Dowd. Needed more of a decline. I just find it difficult to wear it to a taper north to south, without tapering it east to west in the process. That I do find difficult. I generally just rub it on sand paper with pressure on one end.

I have a short pin in a piece of wood, quite close to the end. I put a piece of carpet tape on it and then the piece I am going to taper for the wedge, the I use a file then sandpaper on a backer to make my taper. I find it easier than trying to move the wedge back and forth.
Your scales are getting pretty nice. Your pinning looks good too.

Thank ya sir. It means a lot. And I'll have to give that a try because this just isn't working the greatest.lol

Rez, Do you use the short pin for a gauge for the thick end or thin end of the wedge? Or am I missing something?

Originally Posted by Gasman

Rez, Do you use the short pin for a gauge for the thick end or thin end of the wedge? Or am I missing something?

Me too wondering. Sounds like something I want to try.

I believe the short pin is to hold the wedge against the piece of wood via the carpet tape while shaping. The pin hole in the wedge would fit over the little pin in the shaping block and the carpet tape keeps things from moving around while profiling.
I assume that’s what Shaun means, cause that’s how I do it as well.
Allows you to shape the wedges N-W, S-E taper angles more precisely.

And I agree, these are looking more sleek and supple, the one with the inlays inparticular is catching my eye.
Cheers.

Mike nailed it. The short pin fits into the hole in the wedge. Sorry guys, it made sense in my head. There is also the same rig in a post around here somewhere, but I can’t find it. It has pictures and explanations. Perhaps hidden in the what are you working on thread.

I got it now. I'll give it a go next time. I manage to keep my wedges flat on the belt sander but the wedge gets a bit warm fast and I can only sand off so much of my finger tips. LOL. Thanks for clearing this up.

And I should give credit to Moudonrouge and My carver for the inspiration on the set I am working on there. Carry on gents. Just felt I should give them credit for the idea as not to offend anyone.

Heres a pic of a jig, similar to what Rez is talking about.


The use of a large file, works for me.