Thread: Two firsts: Duck & CA

I actually started making these scales for a W&B Bow, but they turned out to look better on a Dubl Duck Special No 1 that I have been putting off rescaling for a while. The proportions of the two blades are very nearly identical, but the shape of the tang on the Dubl Duck was a better fit.

Not only is my first DublDuck, it was also the first time I tried using CA glue for finishing wood. In this case it was spalted maple that I bought on ebay. The wood looked great, but it was much softer than I had expected which is why I opted to try CA rather than Tung Oil which I usually use on wood. I figured that the extra strength of the glue would make up for the unexpectedly soft wood. Sadly I found the CA process a bit of an exercise in frustration, but it did eventually give a nice finish. I think it went a long way to strengthening the scales too.

The wedge is soapstone. I chose that for two reasons. First, I have a bunch of small chunks of soapstone left over from making my razor and brush stands. And second, it adds a nice bit of extra weight. Also, I was really just curious as to how soapstone would work as a wedge. And to be honest it really is more of a spacer than a wedge. I originally started out with a nice wedge shape, but it was forcing the scales too wide, so I went back to the drawing board and opted for a spacer instead.

I think they look great!! Certainly a much better job than I could do!

Looks pretty good to me too. What wood did you use for the scales?

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Looks pretty good to me too. What wood did you use for the scales?

Bob

Thanks - it is spalted maple. "Spalted" refers to the discolouration caused by a fungi that forms those lines in the wood.

Edit: and I have *no* idea what kind of maple it is apart from it being spalted. I would love to get my hands on some birdseye and flame maple one of these days.

Bob:
He posted he used "spalted maple" whatever that is. This is not to be confused with "retired maple" or "alumnus maple."

Sadly the Acer Torontensis has a tendency to create elevated expectations early on in the shave only to be met with bitter disappointment and collapse well before the end of the final pass.

Hee, hee...

Originally Posted by Cangooner

Sadly the Acer Torontensis has a tendency to create elevated expectations early on in the shave only to be met with bitter disappointment and collapse well before the end of the final pass.

Hee, hee...

"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bulls*it."
-My coffee mug

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bulls*it."
-My coffee mug

Words to live by, my friend!

They got me through grad school after I retired. That, and a mean face-off look I learned from looking at Messier's ugly mug helped a bit!

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

Bob:
He posted he used "spalted maple" whatever that is. This is not to be confused with "retired maple" or "alumnus maple."

Damn, missed that. I really should start using my cheaters and mouth the words while I read these posts. Getting old is no heck. I don't know what "spalted" maple is either but sounds kinds kinky so it must be good.

Bob