Thread: Gemstone scales

I suppose you could make some scales out of thin sheet brass and then epoxy a paper thin coat of the powdered gem onto it. I don't know how practical it is but it's the only thing I could think of that might work.

Regarding the current scales-possible clean up is order, and originals can be kept.

To provide best advice if that easier way is something to consider, posting an image would be good. Likely can sand and polish to make shinny. Possible the 'ricketyness' only requires securing by tapping on the pins to tighten it up.

To have full size gemstones show their full brillance, I think you would want a setting to raise the stone so light can get under it. You also would not want to cover the stone with anything, including something like clear epoxy resin. That would diminish the light bouncing through the stone, losing the desired sparkle.

If that is not the path, then it is something like the glitter or powder (I am unfamiliar with powder)

Easiest way would be if you can find glitter acrylic, (or celluloid if available) and make scales from that material.

Otherwise your making something with glitter(or powder?). I have been playing with glitter, epoxy resin, and dye on thin gauge perforated stainless sheet. It lets light through well, but I trust epoxy resin on thin g10 more. Since g10 is epoxy based, that seems to be the logical bond for long term life.

Cut the scales from thin g10, to make liners, pour epoxy resin over them, dust with glitter or powder. Pay attention can not see any g10 through the glitter. If so, add more until can not see it. As setting up, dust with another layer. Assuming you have good coverage, cover with clear after fully dry. After dry final shape, sand and polish.

As noted in Glen's reply, weight and flex is something to pay attention to, so you'll be making scales as thin as reasonable.

This sorta brings full circle. It sure would be easy if you could clean and tighten the originals, lol

That's exactly what I was thinking!!!

Look, goldstone is not translucent, so light cannot travel through it. I makes use of something called Aventurescence where it bounces light off the surface. So I thought to myself, if I can get thin sheets of black perspex (a.k.a. plexiglass a.k.a. acrylic) and coat it with a epoxy that has been dyed black and green with very fine green glitter in it, it might give it the same efffect as what green goldstone would. Problem is I'm afraid it would look a bit 'tacky', like tupperware with glitter in it

Originally Posted by RazorFang

Ok I'm new to straight shaving, but one thing I would like to know, would it be possible to make scales from gemstones? I think it would look really cool to make scales from synthetic starstone or synthetic sunstones(the blue and orange stones that look like they are clumps of glitter), or even rainbow obsidian.

Any other suggestions on what might suit a straight razor if it is possible to make scales from gemstones?

gemstones?
Tough to do... you will have to be inventive. Look at mother of pearl and abalone threads.
If you take something like a medical tongue depressor as
a base and add layers with inlays some things might be possible.

For the most part the flex does two things.
It opens the scales with the aid of the wedge and
provides a slot to protect the blade in.
It also provides tension (friction) to keep the
scales from flopping about at the pivot.

Some modern razors have nylon bushings to
help with the tension/ friction bit.

There are some threads with astounding metal
sculptures for scales. It is possible to inlay silver
and if the profile of the scales are right you can
control the flex.

Be inventive...
Have fun.

Originally Posted by RazorFang

Understood, but in a very fine powder form?

I had a look at a catalogue from a company that sells Smooth-on products here in South Africa, and I think if your gemstones are ground very fine, like dust, with a soft epoxy, it will be flexible enough. When you mix gravel in with cement, it makes the cement flexible, but also very hard in terms of impact resistant, so thats the principle I hope to apply to this.

See if you can find some gold leaf.
burnish it on a middle layer of CA finish.

there's a pic floating around here of someone who mixed gold flakes into an epoxy resin and shaped it into scales...pretty cool looking actually...

Originally Posted by shavemybaby

there's a pic floating around here of someone who mixed gold flakes into an epoxy resin and shaped it into scales...pretty cool looking actually...

I posted two in gold like that, the two first links below. Also the third link is mother of pearl in a technique that may do what you are trying


http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ph-elliot.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...ld-scales.html

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...10-scales.html

I found a SA store that sells polyester pearls, carbon fibre, black holographic carbon fibre, white holographic carbon fibre.

So, whould carbon fibre scales look good?

I'd go with whatever walt suggests. The processes he goes through to complete a unique project is second to none.

If you check lapidary supply shops you can get a variety of minerals like malachite or turquoise for instance ground up and then you can make an an epoxy mix which looks very much like the actual mineral if done right. For that matter you can grind up any mineral yourself if you have the tools to do it and make whatever strikes your fancy. Mica bits will give the glitter effect.