Thread: 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:



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



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

Found this link. http://coupechou.wikispaces.com/file...dd-chasses.pdf

That is the PDF file I was talking about. Thank you for posting the link.