Thread: Questions about scales

I recently acquired a new razor for my collection. It was made by East St. Louis cutlery and has very unique scales. Actually the scale is one piece. I've not seen one piece scales before and my question is, was this common at all? The wedge and both sides are all one piece and it has a pivot pin. Any insight anyone might have would be greatly appreciated.
My other question is about aluminum scales. I know they made them but was it common? I have an H. Boker with very light metal scales that I assume is aluminum.

A matter of personal preference IMO. Kind of like does the color blue add value to a set of scales? If you like blue, then yes it does, if not, then it won't matter to you.
The majority of razors have 2 seperate scales and a seperate wedge. One piece scales are not as common, but certainly not unheard of. Same thing with metal scales, a minority but not unheard of.

Both types of scales are out and about in the market. The one piece scales may be found a little more often than the aluminum but metal scales such as sterling silver were used. A gander through some of the razor clubs may provide some of the member's razors with these scales.

I voted that it adds minimal value.

In some instances a set of scales can make a $10 blade worth over $1000.
In most cases though, it doesn't really matter what scales are on it as long as it has them and they're in decent shape.

A vintage razor that does not have vintage scales is no longer a "vintage" razor.
I might call it vintage steel....

However well crafted modern scales are a joy to look at
and to use when joined to fine vintage steel.

A vintage razor with cracked, worm eaten, dull "vintage" scales
very much subtracts from value of what could be a fine shaver.

Value of the scales is relative to what the razor is

Here let me just mention 2 razors to give you an idea

Dubl Duck Lifetime AKA The Grim Reaper
Dubl Duck Wonderedge

Both of these razors are worth serious money with "Excellent" scales, this could be because the scales are fragile finicky PITA's that are rare to find in excellent condition

Also keep in mind there is another breed of collector out there that is only after the scales, they could careless about the blades that are in there, nor do they care about switching these scales around with other blades...

"Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder"

I don't want to rain on your parade but ..... back in the '80s when I used to frequent barber shops trying to talk the old fellows out of their razors ..... I was told by one in particular how in the 'golden days' of the 1950s, before long hair came into vogue, the barber shops were so busy that supply houses had salesman pull up to the shop in a panel truck. It was loaded with all of the stuff that barber's used from hair tonic to Belgian coticules.

Back then barbers still routinely gave shaves and the salesman carried replacement scales in case the barber had a cracked scale, dropped his razor .... For ease of replacement many times the replacement scales were molded one piece with a pivot pin. I've seen a few factory original razors with that type of scales but IMO 9 times out of 10 they are replacement scales. Replacement scales reduce the collector value of a vintage razor to an extent. Some more than others. Welcome to SRP BTW.

I will give my opinion since you asked, but I'm warning you, it's what you paid for it!

If a vintage razor has great condition original scales, then to me they add value. Not neccesarily monetary value, but historical value.
If a vintage razor has busted up or poor condition scales, then I would rather have a set of new scales made in the same pattern with new period correct materials.
If a vintage razor has replacement scales that "speak to me", then I'll keep them. If not, then they come off and period correct as close as possible original material and shape scales get made and go on.

I love razors for their historical value (again not necessarily monetary.) I am only collecting blades that are pre-1850ish. I may be missing some awesome 20th century steel, but I'll be ok.

For me to vote, the options are too narrow. By that I mean, I have a fairly large collection to date. If I were going to make a new acquisition it would have to be quite pristine, so if the scales were carved ivory with pins as inlay, which I am passively looking for, the whole package would have to be in nice condition and capable of taking an edge. It must be functional, however in the event that the scales on the said example were split, such a (unfortunately likely) disaster would preclude my interest. Shallow I know.

To conclude, they are less important than the blade, but if damaged I will not consider any more. Perhaps if I had fewer blades, or similarly several years ago, my answer would differ; but I have reached the point where I have to justify new acquisitions.

I didn't vote but it all depends what you bring to this. If you are a user and minor collector it probably doesn't mean much however if you are a real serious collector the scales mean everything and those folks will pay plenty for something unique and rare.