Previewing scales on your computer

Ever wonder what your scales might look like before you invest in woods or other materials? It can be done!

I downloaded a pdf file from this site that had 11 pages of scale outlines for many original razor scales. The name of the file was Bdd-chasses.pdf. For the life of me, I can not find it again to post a link in this message. It is unimportant any how. The point is this: I converted the file to a JPEG file so I could play around with it on my computer. After the conversion, I put one page of the file into Photo Shop and began erasing the interior of the blades' outlines. Then I saved the file as PNG file and was off and running. Now the fun begins!

I downloaded pictures from eBay from Sellers who listed razor or knife blanks. I then used Microsoft Image Composer (you could use any program that allows you to send one image or another to the background or foreground. The result? I was able to weed out many blanks I thought at first might look good on a razor and was able to find several that gave me the WOW factor I was looking for. Sure beats cutting out cardboard and holding it up to your computer screen! ;)

Here are some samples of how it looks when you place the template over some pictures of wood:

Attachment 101880

Here is another example of some woods I am currently looking into:

Attachment 101881

I tried to upload the PNG file, thinking members could download it and use it. It did not work so I removed it. If anyone wants the file, please tell me how I can get it to you.

I am new to SRP and have been reading posts in the forum daily. I am learning a lot about this "hobby" that has practical applications. I have ordered and received one razor from eBay and since then, I have been working/experimenting with a number of things. Soon to come: (1) the first strop I ever built: from leather motorcycle chaps; (2) my restoration of the first eBay razor plus two more I have subsequently purchased; (3) my "Redneck Dremel Speed Controller"; (4) removing pins, making scales and re-pinning them; (5) my efforts at honing and stropping; and last, but not least, my first straight razor shave experience.

When this all began, I thought I had covered everything with the basics: Very good "Solingen" German steel razor ($15.50); badger hair brush ($9.99); home made strop ($2.50 for hardware - not counting my time and items I had on hand); Col. Conk Shave Soap 2.25 oz ($5.00); Norton 4k/8k waterstone ($80.00); and holder for sharpening stone ($15.00). Total cost: $128.00! I thought I was in hog heaven getting into a new hobby for less than $150. But then I came to this forum and, given my nature, I just HAD to expand my repertoire of tools (God only knows how much I LOVE new tools). So I got a vibratory tumbler; purchased walnut and corn cob materials; bought some nickle silver rod and SS washers; put money into a small ball pien hammer (and yes, that is the correct spelling of "peen"); and acquired several blanks of wood for scales (of course I used the PNG file to help me select - that is what this whole post is about!!!).

Sorry for getting carried away but you know how it is with a new convert. I look forward to sharing my experiences and learning so much more from this forum