Doing new scales by using dark buffalo horn

hi guys,

today, i had a pair of dark buffalo horn by a friend. i think to do some new scales for a blade. i already used brown ones which were thinner than dark ones. so i have a pair of 160 x 50 x 5 mm. i afraid 5 mm of thickness is too much for only one scale. i would like to know if you get them thinner when you work with dark ones or leave them like that? as i don't have one those grinder machines, i may try with 40 grit sandpaper to remove some material and make them thin about 2.5 mm but as i'm not sure, i would like to have some ideas from those who had the chance to work on this material.

:)

Depends on the razor, but as a ball park figure from 2 to 3 mm. If you are hand sanding to thickness attach each scale to a flat piece of scrap wood with double sided tape and use it as a improvised handle . Check your progress often with calipers.
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Thanks for the tip. Actually yes I will work with hand sanding that's why it bothers me. I worked once with blond horn of 4 5 mm and as I remember it was hard to get the fine thickness .

Do you think 40 grit of SP can work for this? Because I want to go faster at the start and continue to higher grit when I'm close at the 3mm.

I use a drum sander or a bandsaw to change the thickness of my scale material. 1/16" kerf on the band saw so they have to pretty thick to split them on the bandsaw.

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Originally Posted by RezDog

I use a drum sander or a bandsaw to change the thickness of my scale material. 1/16" kerf on the band saw so they have to pretty thick to split them on the bandsaw.

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i know i used a drum sander last time when i was in a workshop, it's pretty cool and fast. but at home i don't have any of those. but only hand sanding.

Yes about 2.5mm would be ideal here's a step by step guide how to get them to the required thickness using only hand tools and some wet & dry paper.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ales-hand.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Yes about 2.5mm would be ideal here's a step by step guide how to get them to the required thickness using only hand tools and some wet & dry paper.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ales-hand.html

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Wow thanks a lot. That helps too much.
Happy new year to all :)