Thread: Scale shape preference

Hey, I've noticed after looking at lots and lots of razors that there seems to be two camps in the replacement scale world. on both sides, guys having it done and guys doing it themselves. one camp varies their scale shapes, sometimes extremely, and the other camp doesn't, sometimes not at all.

So here is what I'm wondering, those of you that have a strong like for just one type of handle shape, which shape is it (if it isn't already obvious from your collection/work) and what is your reason for sticking with it. Looks? comfort? easy of making?

and the other side, those that vary your tastes in handles. is there a shape you find more comfortable but don't settle on because of aesthetics? or the handles haven't really affected the feel of the razors?

I'll start. For me I of course vary what I have. I think that different blades require different designs to complement them, visually, and I like finding the right pairing. although I have found some handles a bit less comfortable to work with, it is usually in the stropping not when actually shaving. unless the balance is really off.

and although, if you've seen the w&b with the rivets (affectionately dubbed "sasha", I try to name my razors, my wife says I'm nuts) you might not believe this, but I don't like too radical a design either. the balance between design AND comfort has to be there. I see some that look good, but I know from the shape or carving that I the feel would be off for me. Sasha is pretty wild by most standards, but feels and shaves like a dream.

Who's next?

Red

im a noob, and i only have one razor so far. but i too agree that any decent razor collection will have varied scales.
like you said, different blades look good with different shaped scales.

i personally prefer anything custom made, just the fact that someone put personal time and effort into it makes it special, a work or art to me.
i also find intricate patterns on scales as appealing as the shapes

I prefer the classic shapes, rounded in both ends, the simple style of the small american wedges, the french style with the pointed coffin style scales and the scales of the big old sheffields, rounded at pivot and broader more flat at the other end.
Then of course they can be varied with materials, color and small variations. I prefer synthetics for the bathroom (as You can se from the album of razors in my profile) wood for things i take to the woods like reel end of flyrod, net and knife.

Amund.

I too like the classic shapes. I like to use the older styles as templates. Sheffield is best. The old horn ones with bolsters, you know?

James.

It doesn't matter to me. I never hold the scales while shaving.

As long as the scales complement the blade, its all good to me.

Oddly enough, I like all of my scales to be exactly the same. I'm trying to build my 'dream team' of seven razors. The razors will all be different, but they will be a boxed set so I want them to have identical scales, just the blades themselves being different.

I've actually made some moulds from an old set of Sheffield scales so that I can cast my own scales in resin.
To me, it's the blade not the scales which is important, the scales are just something to hold the blade.

I like a lot of the exotic shapes for aesthetics but sometimes if they are too bulky, they get in the way when stropping and potentially honing too.

I like to keep a shape that compliments the lines of the blade. This usually ends up mimicking the shape of the original scales. But, I do like to try and mix up the materials a little. Plus, I'm not a really big fan of the shiny black scales, unless they have a little extra interest.

for me what matters is the scale match the blade, it could be the best looking scales or blade there is but if they don't go well together if custom I will usually pass on that razor. I like the classic shape and size of older scales and if worn I try to replace them with something in similar shape and size but not necessarily color or material.

Speaking of shapes, I wonder if am I the only one that hates faux bamboo scales?