Favorite Scale Material

Howdy all,

Hope you all had a great shave this morning.

As I was cleaning up my shave collection today I spent some time just looking over my straights. Just looking at the blade and scales comparing how each were made,and what I liked best about each razor.

But then I began thinking what other members might think. So I was wondering what you guys love about your straights? Is there one scale material you like more than other? A certain grind? Type of finish?

So many reasons to love your straights let's hear some of your!

my two latest buys were a Whacker 7/8 with a set of beautiful multicolor horn, and an Alex Jacques custom thats has a set of g10 scales with a jade wedges. As far as scales go, these are real lookers

My favorite scale material is black horn. I also like black plastic. I imagine I would like ebony, but I have never had any ebony scales.

Are we talking about working on for a restoration or just in general?

For a restoration, I like G10. It's fun to work with and I think it's pretty easy. The finished result can be pretty amazing if done right.

For a razor to use, I like basic acrylic - on the thin side. Horn is really nice too, but won't it warp over time?

For a grind, I like hollows with bellies. I like the feedback I get and they're usually easy to hone.

I cannot speak of other grinds than hollow because that is what both my razors are. I am looking for a large wedge to purchase and try. I prefer wood scales over all others. It gives it an early American look and feel.

It doesn't matter Restored or Vintage for me, I love the Cracked Ice look...
Give me Vintage Celluloid in any color you want with the Ice, Ice, Baby...and if it is all warped and cracked then change it to the brightest flashiest Acrylic you can find...
I want the steel gleaming and shiny, I actually prefer a satin to a mirror, myself, but make it as hollow as you can get it...

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Originally Posted by jpm7676

my two latest buys were a Whacker 7/8 with a set of beautiful multicolor horn, and an Alex Jacques custom thats has a set of g10 scales with a jade wedges. As far as scales go, these are real lookers

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That whacker is gorgeous!! :drool: I think that might go on my wishlist!

what is g10? whatever it is.. it looks great.. as for me.. i love the look of transparent horn.

Where I live oak trees are a very big deal (I actually live on Old Oak Lane). They are native to my area and everyone is very proud to have them as a part of our history and community. I would like the next scales I get to be in oak for this reason. I currently have carbon fiber scales that very thin and very nice that I like a lot as well.

Hah, the age old question! For me it's a no brainer- Carbon fiber, G10, and micarta! Anything that won't have issues such as warping, cracking, breaking, swelling, etc. Ideal scale materials IMHO.

As for favorite scale material mine is bone or ivory. Old, stained and aged. I would like to actually hold a set of blond horn. Wood just does not do it for me and I don't care for any of the new materials.

Grind and size? 1/4 hollow to wedge, 5/8 to 6/8 and an oblique point.

Zacsdaddy

Lately I've been digging on the bigger blades with thin grinds. I'm not a fan of round points, but I am open to any interesting points even with a small toe radius. I am a wood person always have been, always will be. I like horn, but hate the delamination. I like the colors of some plastics and own mostly variations of such, but they seem so fake. I own ivory, but don't care. I think bone looks dirty where the pores are although one could fill those with colored epoxy, it might look cool. Sorry started typing my thoughts.

basil,

Smooth polished Rams horn; Mr Neil Miller of www.strop-shop.co.uk has re-scaled a few of my razors in this material, and it is just beautiful :)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Nuthin' sexier than cracked ice! Give it to me baby! I like horn for a more traditional look on the older blades.

wait.. so can someone tell me what g10 is?

I like all different grinds of razors, from wedge to full hollow. They all shave differently, and I really like the variety in the way they feel...!

In terms of scales, I like most things. Glens acrylic scales are very striking, I love the organic look of things like horn, bone and wood, and I also really like the modern looking scales like carbon fibre and micarta. The only thing I dont like are plasticy looking scales; Thats not to say I have anything against plastic scales, but I dont like them to look plasticy!

I like the idea of bone of some kind or a wood like ebony. I`ve got a load of Mahogany I`m making rifle stocks with at the moment, I may well make a few sets of scales aswell being as I`ve got some currently useless razors here...

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Originally Posted by vthomlinson

wait.. so can someone tell me what g10 is?

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Try this link: G10 FR4, Micarta®, Garolite, Copper Clad, Tube, Rod - JJ Orly.

When I get started on my Muzzleloaders I'll save the scrap wood for scales as well. Even though most wood scales do little for me, there are some FINE woods out there that really shine. I'm still sanding down my sets of Manzaneta wood from my folks ranch, see what happens.

My favorits though are pretty much on the organic side of things. Horn, bone and such, plastics are functional and all but leave me flat and thats no fun...

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Originally Posted by holli4pirating

My favorite scale material is black horn. I also like black plastic. I imagine I would like ebony, but I have never had any ebony scales.

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What good taste you have, holli. I would only add that I like bone (especially blackened) too, but your post nails my favorites, even down to the comment on ebony.

I like natural materials. Acrylics and plastics do nothing for me, the only ones which I have are on a Puma 39 because lets face it, you just don't rescale a Puma!

Carbon fibre and G-10 on Sheffields for me is like the people who put 22 inch chrome alloys on a vintage Jaguar. Fair enough if they are to go on a brand new custom razor as the original scales, but I like to keep things original or as close to as possible. But we are all different.

My favourites are ivory scales. The kertain grain of the Schraeger lines alternating in the light when held at different angles is sheer beauty. Horn is also very attractive, especially the figured examples.
Mother of pearl is also beautiful and I have one NOS Solingen razor with genuine MOP scales. They are quite heavy though.

Wood can be very nice, but its not for me as I am no fan of rescales unless one has to.

G-10/FR-4 Epoxy

G-10/FR-4 is a thermosetting industrial laminate consisting of a continuous filament glass cloth material with an epoxy resin binder. This product, first introduced in the 1950's, has characteristics of high strength, excellent electrical properties and chemical resistance. These properties are maintained not only at room temperature but also under humid or moist conditions.
Today what is called G-10 is actually FR-4, the flame retardant version of G-10. The material FR-4 can usually be used where G-10 is specified, however G-10 should not be used where FR-4 is specified.
Both G-10 and FR-4 are rated at 285 degree F continuous operating temperature. Because they are thermosets, no melting will occur with these grades, however charring will be observed after extended periods above the temperature rating. FR-4 has a flammability rating of 94 V-0.
With these outstanding characteristics, it is easy to understand why G-10/FR-4 is such a versatile material and is used in a wide variety of applications.

Was used in Aerospace. Most is made in an autoclave. High temp or low temp.

favorite grind, whatevers sharpest, but i like full hollows, and i have a penchant for faux tortoiseshell, genuine tortoiseshell just doesnt do it for me, also the old school bone handles are slicker than oil to my eye