Thread: Making a set of horn scales by hand.

Originally Posted by luckypip

Hi Jaime
Many thanks for the great tutorial, its just what I was looking for as i have only this week managed to get hold of a lovely horn and am intending to make some scale from it !
One question - The horn has a natural curve to it an I wonder if you know of any technique of straightening it flat ?
I have look on Wiki and generally on the forum and web and cannot find an answer - any ideas anyone ?

The blanks I use are quite straight but sometimes they may have a slight bow to them, you can sometimes use this to your advantage by using the ever so slight natural curve when you cut equal pieces make sure your curve goes out on both sides when you make and assemble the scales.

Originally Posted by Laurens

Careful with straightening horn, it bends back over time. You'd be safer to saw your scales from the original shape.

Thanks for telling us about that.. I learned the hard way. Fortunately on my own razor though!
I have used both hand and power for making scales and sometimes hand work is quicker!

~Richard

Thanks for creating this tutorial. I'm a big fan of horn scales and I plan on using these instructions to make my own set soon.

Originally Posted by Laurens

Careful with straightening horn, it bends back over time. You'd be safer to saw your scales from the original shape.

Not discounting your warning but flat horn plates were originally round & changed by heat & pressure.
Of course many old horn scales are warped which supports what you say but that's a lot of time to consider.

Hi guys!

This is a video from a business who has been working with horn since I believe 1749!

Seems to work for them!

The Making of Abbeyhorn Shoe Horns | A Continuous Lean.

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by onimaru55

Not discounting your warning but flat horn plates were originally round & changed by heat & pressure.
Of course many old horn scales are warped which supports what you say but that's a lot of time to consider.

Modern black horn is from Water Buffalo and comes in a half inch thick chunk. It also warps. It is best to cut the inside of both scales from the same block side with a slight cup in it..
Some black steer horn is also processed by heat. It shows as a white streaking in the horn.
Steer horn is the one used in the above video and most of it is pressed hot to make a slab also. And..it does tend to bend and warp when exposed to unequal moisture on the sides. The really cheap imported stuff often also has de-laminations from poor heat control during processing.
Just my few years of doing things the hard or cheap way.
~Richard

That is just an awesome tutorial, Jaime!!

How did u make the spacer

I use a similar method to this, Making Wedges - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Another factor when using modern horn plates. A razor I rescaled about three years ago now the blade tip clicking on the wedge.
I made the mistake of making the end of blade clearance to the wedge very small to look more classy! I would think that at least a 3/32nds to 1/8th" or more is needed. Use the same side of the slab for the inside of both scales!
Wet sanding also adds a bit of length to the scales when making them. So let them dry for a few days before finishing the assembly.
It will work out with practice!
~Richard