Thread: Durability, water resistance, feel and other (dis)advantages of scale materials

For me the feel of the scales on a razor is irrelevant in the sense that I do not shave or strop by gripping the scales. For either one I grip the blade by the tang. They are there to protect the blade while in storage. I'd just go with something you like the look of.

I suppose the modern scale materials are more durable than the older traditional ones.

Bob

Good point Bob. I hadnt thought of it that way but you are right. The only time i really touch the scales with a grip is to pick it up out of the drawer and to put it back.

Talk to Ulrick. If you are buying a koraat from him he will work out all the details and advantages/disadvantages. In the end, it is almost entirely aesthetic in choice. His blade will last forever no mater your scale and you dont hold the scale to shave.

His homage to the Filarmonica would be my choice....I think. I dare not look at that Configurator.

Horn is hard to beat, there are razors over a hundred years old sill kicking with original horn scales on them. And it polishes easily and nicely.

It only smells if you are cutting or sanding it, which you won’t be doing.

Camel's bone is a very nice material for scales, I have one custom razor with Camel bone scales and I love the look and feel of them.

I prefer bone over any material as to feel. Still, horn and ivory are quite nice too.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Camel's bone is a very nice material for scales, I have one custom razor with Camel bone scales and I love the look and feel of them.

You dirty devil and that sexy setup. Tis true if you are buying the "one" go big, go mammoth, go ivory, go one-off white whale penis. But, for me go what says "your razor". Who are you and what material defines you? The performance matters about as much as a piss in the corner of a parking lot.

Originally Posted by Speedster

His homage to the Filarmonica would be my choice....I think. I dare not look at that Configurator.

If I counted correctly, there are 156 options in his Sheffield design configurator and 135 options in his #14 design configurator.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

Camel's bone is a very nice material for scales, I have one custom razor with Camel bone scales and I love the look and feel of them.

Camelbone does look nice, but I prefer darker scales. It's also €40 for the camelbone scales, while I was thinking about spending €20-30 for the scales.

You mentioned you want to "wash the lather off" the scales when it gets on there with water.

I would advise against this as water could get into the pivot and be difficult to dry off. Just use some dry paper towel or TP to wipe it off.

My preference is bone or horn, aesthetically speaking.