Thread: Stone scales

If I'm understanding terminology right, that's what the handles are called. I've seen a lot of replacement wood scales, but I was wondering about various mineral scales like marble, malachite, snowflake obsidian, or even jade. Anyone have an opinion on the feasibility of these or other rocks that would work well for this? Or am I just way off base?

Yes, you can make scales out of these materials as long as they are applied to a liner. First time you drop it on the floor, or it hits just right on your tile countertop and they are likely to crack.

They are also very expensive. You are better off with the flexible materials, unless you just want to look at the razor in a display case.

Originally Posted by urleebird

...unless you just want to look at the razor in a display case.

Some days that seems the much smarter course than actually using one of the things to shave with.

I'm going to go ahead and take a shot at this with some jade I found on ebay. I'll post pictures of my progress and what tools I'm using. Any suggestions for how to open the scales?

Are you referring to removing the old scales?

Yes, I want to remove the old bakelite handle; preferrably without breaking it. Also, any suggestions on how you can tell the size of your razor?

Try drilling on the pin with some cone-shaped diamond drill bit, or if you have steady hands, use regular drill bit, and go slow. the washer should remain in one piece. It worked for me, anyways. When you drill 1-2mm, use something to tap on the pin , and to push it trough the other side. Or, the easy way is to put some pvc tape over the pin to protect the scales, and sand off the pin with a file.

You can tell the size by measuring it back to edge. At least the present size...

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. Assuming I win the bid, I should start getting some pictures soon.

About the stone scales... The purpose of the scales is to protect the razor blade when closed, and provide balance when in use. In order to provide balance and stay fixed in upright position (270 degrees), the scales works together with their elasticity and the form of the tang of the razor (tappered a bit). That is why when you open a good quality razor in shaving position, it stays that way. The best way to see this is to look at the bottom pin at the razor. The spacer between scales is also tappered a bit. This tapper, along with blade tang tapper (or sometimes without it) provides slightly curved scale shape and necesary tension. That is how the razor work... But the new DOVO micarta i have don't have tapered spacer and tang, and the scale curve is done by sanding... Not very smart solution.

That is why your stone scales will not work, and if the razor has tappered tang, they will likely brake, from the lack of elasticity...

hope this helps,
Nenad