Thread: Using a razor with heavy scales?

Nice looking horn, they probably would have balanced just fine before the brass liners were added.

Yep have seen and contemplated these scales before when I started but decided against it.
They are unfortunately not made to suit YOUR razor so would be a crap shoot for a fit and balance, your only real option for a balance is the wedge material used, I would look at a piece of horn or bone or even a wedgeless spacer pin type option rather than metal wedge may help
Still in the lessons learnt bucket I say
They might suit a nice heavy wedge and feel spot on but a full hollow reduces the options a bit with the brass liner
JMHO & YMMV

That's the problem when using a metal liner - I did exactly the same with some white Mother of Pearl on nickel silver liners and they are out of balance with the blade. When I did it again, I used very thin G10 and they are much better.

Not the black mop on the whacker I hope mate
Love those scales
Have them as an ideal with nickel silver liners for a JAs Westa wedge needing something special

Originally Posted by Substance

Not the black mop on the whacker I hope mate
Love those scales
Have them as an ideal with nickel silver liners for a JAs Westa wedge needing something special

The black MOP went onto black G10 - they are a much better balance than the nickel silver I used. In the link, the Gilbert Bros razor is the one that's out of balance - even though it's a heavier blade than the Wacker.

http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...her-pearl.html

That's what you call an unbalanced razor and unbalanced the wrong way. I have a Williams razor with very heavy stag scales and I have the same issue. It was one of the first razors he made. It's beautiful but I rarely use it because it's just a pain stropping and shaving.

He offered to shave them down but I just never did it so I guess I can't complain.

Originally Posted by Substance

Yep have seen and contemplated these scales before when I started but decided against it.
They are unfortunately not made to suit YOUR razor so would be a crap shoot for a fit and balance, your only real option for a balance is the wedge material used, I would look at a piece of horn or bone or even a wedgeless spacer pin type option rather than metal wedge may help
Still in the lessons learnt bucket I say
They might suit a nice heavy wedge and feel spot on but a full hollow reduces the options a bit with the brass liner
JMHO & YMMV

Despite its etching, it's probably only 1/4 hollow and a much heavier blade than many of my wedges.

I have a Mastro Livi 7/8 with stag scales. When I got it my first reactions was my God this is big and heavy. After shaving with it a couple of times I realized it shaved great. Better then all my other razors. Why? BALANCE! Feels great in my hand and all I have to do is lay it on my face no pressure. Like shaving with a Mongoose.

Benhunt, that is a lovely set of scales. I can't see the thickness but that is probably the problem. Looks beautiful though!

Mike

I too have an unbalanced razor however its far to beautiful to not give her a dance now and again. Its makeup is brass liners with mother of pearl and abalone shell.