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Making a set of horn scales by hand.
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I also forgot to add, do not part the scales until you are fully satisfied with the shape sanding and finish of the scales, then what I do is drop them into a plastic kitchen bowl full of warm water and using lets say 6K wet & dry as my final finish you will then get some of the water going in between the masking tape and double sided tape making it much easier for the scales part company.
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Very nice tutorial, professional looking presentation.
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Beautiful job on the scales and the tutorial!
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Those pics make for a nice tutorial, clean and concise instruction. I like it, thanks for taking the time to make them.
Charlie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
spazola
Those pics make for a nice tutorial, clean and concise instruction. I like it, thanks for taking the time to make them.
Charlie
Jamie,
As Charlie said, very informative and precisely done! Nice Job! I hope this becomes a WIKI!:rock:
I would presume that the horn was ordered and came ‘pre-flattened’? Yes, No, Maybe So? :shrug:
Again, very nicely done! :tu
Roy
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Very nice tutorial and you got an excellent result! Do you always do your scales just by hand?
Beautiful spinework on that razor, by the way.
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That's right Roy, there's well known seller on Ebay I've purchased off him many times, he sells those blanks in this size.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Laurens
Very nice tutorial and you got an excellent result! Do you always do your scales just by hand?
Beautiful spinework on that razor, by the way.
No I do use on occasion a bench sander, but I've also made many sets without any power tools or machinery, I like to show people that you can do things without power tools.
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great tutorial, thanks for the effort !
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It appears that the wedge is made out of metal. What type is it? Thanks.
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The wedge is also made from horn.
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My eyes must be failing me then! Ive done a few horn rescales(pre made scales) and have used up to 1200 w/d. I need to find some finer. Would emery on felt buffing wheel polish as well? as I have plenty of that. Thanks.
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All hand worked no polishing wheels, after the initial shaping using lower end grits I usually go to my kitchen sink filled with warm water then using micro mesh up the levels from 1K all the way up to 6K, then a final little buff over with a cotton and some brasso metal polish, then a final wipe and polish with a little Renaissance wax.
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Perfect tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Maciek.
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awesome thread man, I actually don't have any tool and been making some horn scales in very similar way to you
Rafal
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Awesome thread Jamie...
Going to link it in the Workshop sticky also :tu
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same here, nice of you celticcrusader to post the tutorial, pics... I have sofar only managed to find 2k sandpaper,.. what kind of polishing would be best,.. I guess rouge would leave too much of a coloring in "micro gaps"?, would Maas be ok, I just ordered the thing :)?
Do you guys apply any finish to the horns aka oiling or CA with woods?
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Great tute Jamie.
Now for the new prospects tell 'em how many hours that takes. ;)
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You are right there anything that as the words handmade, should also include the words labor intensive.
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Good job and very educational for us all. Make do with what you have. Good philosophy................Well done.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
celticcrusader
You are right there anything that as the words handmade, should also include the words labor intensive.
+1 on the time factor to make any scales by hand, it is definitely very labor intensive
A job very well done on this tutorial
I have recently finished my first set of horn scales
Can you tell me how you prevented damage to the scales while trial fitting and shaping the wedge for them?
This is the part that gave me the most problems when making my own scales
Thank you for sharing this tutorial :)
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Hi Ricky, lets say we have finished the dry run of fitting the blade with micro nuts and bolts and everything seems fine, now what I do is make the wedge a little to big so as to stand a little proud of the scales, now pin the wedge tightly into the horn scales without the blade, then rework the wedge until flush and smooth then proceed with higher end grits until both wedge and scales are highly polished and finished, like this one.
http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/w...4.jpg~original
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..what about the finish,.. do you apply and finishing substance to the horn scales or is it all just sand paper and polishing,... if so, what kind of polishing compound do you usually use on horn (I'm guessing that eg rouge does leave too much of a color on honey and buffalo horns)?
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I do apply a little neatsfoot oil occasionally you can also apply a little Ren wax and buff them off with a dry cloth.
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Thanks for sharing with us, Jaime. It is amazing what someone with skill can do with minimal tools. I am about ready to try my hand at scale making so I was excited when you posted this. Thanks again.
p.s. Great close up pictures!
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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 ?
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Careful with straightening horn, it bends back over time. You'd be safer to saw your scales from the original shape.
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Quote:
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.
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Quote:
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
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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.
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Quote:
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. :shrug:
Of course many old horn scales are warped which supports what you say but that's a lot of time to consider. :)
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Hi guys!
This is a video from a business who has been working with horn since I believe 1749!
Seems to work for them!:shrug:
The Making of Abbeyhorn Shoe Horns | A Continuous Lean.
Enjoy! :tu
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
onimaru55
Not discounting your warning but flat horn plates were originally round & changed by heat & pressure. :shrug:
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
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That is just an awesome tutorial, Jaime!!
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How did u make the spacer
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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