Thread: Making a cracked Genco into a shortie

I guess I got a bit confident fitting purchased horn scales to a shortened blade. This time I crafted my own scales.

I used a polyester material from Lee Valley they claim can be worked like wood. It comes in sheets about 1/8? thick, so I didn?t have to thin it - a bonus since I don?t own a belt sander. I did discover it is a tad brittle, especially when subjected to freezing temperatures in a UPS turck for a weekend before delivery.


They quickly sent replacement sheets packed with much more robust padding at no charge to replace the fractured pieces. I was greatly impressed with their customer service.

Even at room temperature, it was still brittle. My first attempt shattered while using a jig saw and when peening.

Eventually, I covered both sides with painter?s masking tape before cutting the pattern and drilling the pin holes.

I have a photo of an intact Clauss with the shortie for comparison.


This was my first attempt at building scales, so I used a spacer rather than a true wedge. Had to leave something for the next project.


FYI - the colour I used is called ?lapis lazuli?.

Good tips Dave, about the material and the customer service.

Nicely done, especially for a first attempt. I would definitely consider adding a belt grinder to the shop quiver. It opens up a lot of possibilities.

Harbor freight sell a basic belt/disc sander that will do most everything you need for making scales. I bet Ive made 100 sets of scales with mine.

Yep, 4 inch belt and 6 inch disc sander is the best place to start and they aren't that expensive.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Harbor freight sell a basic belt/disc sander that will do most everything you need for making scales. I bet Ive made 100 sets of scales with mine.

Ah yes... the green monster. Very good value and they put it on sale once in a while.

You might find G-10 easier to work with. Last time I scaled a razor I used bone and I rather like using decent bone.

Agreed. Bone makes a very nice finished product also. Case in point:

Here's one I did. These scales were celluloid though. Yours might be also.

https://sharprazorpalace.com/worksho...ml#post1945720

You can see it now but only if you look hard and turn it the right way in the light. It is in my rotation and works flawlessly.

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

Here's one I did. These scales were celluloid though. Yours might be also.

https://sharprazorpalace.com/worksho...ml#post1945720

You can see it now but only if you look hard and turn it the right way in the light. It is in my rotation and works flawlessly.

Whoops! Posted this to the wrong thread. Apologies.