Thread: Bruno's Blade Club

Sorry, I have just thought that you will need to consider the location of the 3rd pin in relation to the tail to ensure you get a good range of movement on the scales, that pin is going to hit the tail somewhere by the looks. It might be worthwhile mocking it up with card first to see what happens. I did that when I was designing a razor and it helped me a lot with the shape, though I didn't do that with the scales I left them to someone else.

I was thinking the same thing. I keep trying to sketch something up that just covers the edge of the blade but it doesn't seem to look right, and I'm definitely going to have issues with that pin. Back to the drawing board. Thanks for the input.

Ulricus, it's an interesting shape for an interesting blade. I see what you're going for but I agree with the other post above. If you'd like to sketch an outline of the blade I'd be happy to give some sketches / thoughts that might help?

You're after something that suits the blade so the best thing will be to see and hold it, imagine the scales being folded up in use and for stropping, etc. Happy to help with the brainstorming process.

I'll do that. It's just a unique blade (as with most of Bruno's) so I'm trying to come up with a unique set of scales for it, but it seems like scales are generally shaped the way they are for a reason.

I really love Bruno's blades for this very reason. So much scope to make a set of unique scales that really suits them.

You may have seen these in a different thread, but here are my recent Bruno scales, in stained bone:




I wanted these to mirror the shape of the blade. Have some ideas how to show off the shape of yours.

The other thing to consider is the weight of these blades - a thin set of scales may feel light and fragile in comparison.

I did see those, they were actually my inspiration for trying to make a set of scales that flowed with the blade.

Originally Posted by Suavio

I really love Bruno's blades for this very reason. So much scope to make a set of unique scales that really suits them.

You may have seen these in a different thread, but here are my recent Bruno scales, in stained bone:




I wanted these to mirror the shape of the blade. Have some ideas how to show off the shape of yours.

The other thing to consider is the weight of these blades - a thin set of scales may feel light and fragile in comparison.

Can you post some pics of it open, i am trying to get my head around the mechanics of the double pin at the pivot.
I do like the scales, i just am strugling to see how the blade would open very far.

I think you will find the second pin is a decoration only
you may need to drop then third pin completely, my Spanish Monkey Bruno Blade couldn't have it due to the tail length as to clear the blade & still let the tail swing through

Substance is correct, my second rear pin is decorative only.

I'm away from home at the moment but here are a couple of early photos when I was testing the pivot pin using a microfastener (before I'd finished working on polishing the blade). It opens fully and right back as any usual straight razor would.

Originally Posted by Ulricus

I did see those, they were actually my inspiration for trying to make a set of scales that flowed with the blade.

Here are a couple of very quick and rough ideas. Please excuse the very basic graphics - was just a quick way to start brainstorming with the blade shape in mind.

The first is an idea literally from the Aliens movie. I see the front tip of the scales as the alien head, and the rear as the tail. I can imagine a set in bone with an intricately carved face, or in steel with etching. (Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself!) The tail curve is too long, but I think it shows that curves can work with a blade this shape.

The second is much more geometrical, with parts mirroring basic geometric versions of the blade itself. I think the shape of the razor lends itself to scales that can come out past the front tip of the blade, but should stop pretty close to the pivot pin - otherwise it may get unwieldy.

The third was a quick attempt to do what I've done with my Bruno scales, which was to try to follow the shape of the blade in the scales - this version has the tail of the scales too thin, and the front too long, but should give you the idea. I'd make the tail a bit fatter and overall it would look like a squashed version of the blade itself. Not sure how this would work...



Anyway, hope that gets the ideas flowing. I recommend cardboard cutouts to get a feel for how the scales would move, before actually picking any design. Nothing wrong with cardboard and scissors to help shape/modify your designs! Good luck!

P.s. I didn't particularly like the 'Alien' design before, but having looked at it for a while, I have been converted.