Thread: W. Greaves & Sons Ne Plus Ultra Wood Scales--Type Wood? Original?

Just acquired this early pre Sheaf Works W. Greaves & Sons from the bay with probably its original coffin. Not only was it heavy and wide, a near 8/8, measuring .99 inches and was etched with Ne Plus Ultra. I was also very surprised and delighted that it really does have black painted "wood" scales. I have found that most of the SR descriptions on eBay state that the scales are "wood" but are in fact, old black horn. I have never had a true set of wood scales that are of such quality that they appear to possibly be original to this old beauty. I have found many sets of rustic homemade replacement wood scales but never had one from the period or probably original to the piece. Have two questions for all who care to comment:
1.) Did the old Sheffield cutlers use wood for their scales? If so, what kind of woods did they use? This looks like it could be walnut but I am a novice in identifying types of wood species.
2.) Are these scales original to the piece?

Please see photos and appreciate your thoughts, insights and comments.

Briefly touch a red hot needle to the inside area of the scales. If it smells like burning hair it is horn.

Them's horn. What a beautiful beast!

Very nice, I have a big old Greaves beast like that....same horn scales on mine, but they were literally brittle dry, cracked on several places, and beyond repair...beautiful smooth shave with that only IMO luxurious Sheffield steel.

Here's mine, as you can tell, it's an old, old soldier

Here is mine, original scales as well

I'm with Tom, those are horn.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Here is mine, original scales as well

That looks vaguely familiar Tom...

Yezzzz, Mike! I know you have seen pics of these scales before!

Originally Posted by Wirm

Briefly touch a red hot needle to the inside area of the scales. If it smells like burning hair it is horn.

Tried the red hot needle test on the inside of the scale and it smells just like burnt wood. Had my daughter and wife try it and both agreed it smelled like burnt wood. It looks like wood to me and now it smells like wood. I can even see the black paint or stain on the inside of the scales. As I said, I really expected it to be horn, as you all do, but it is wood. Now, what kind of wood was used? Anyone have any historic reference to what type wood was used by the early c1820s Sheffield Cutlers?

Originally Posted by ajkenne

Tried the red hot needle test on the inside of the scale and it smells just like burnt wood. Had my daughter and wife try it and both agreed it smelled like burnt wood. It looks like wood to me and now it smells like wood. I can even see the black paint or stain on the inside of the scales. As I said, I really expected it to be horn, as you all do, but it is wood. Now, what kind of wood was used? Anyone have any historic reference to what type wood was used by the early c1820s Sheffield Cutlers?

Thinking of the potential water surrounding a straight razor, I might think it would be mahagony....only reason I say this is I used to make fishing lures using that type of wood....can't really tell from the grain.