Thread: Salvaging Crown Embossing on Scales

OK, knew it was buried here somewhere. How about this approach http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...in-scales.html ?

Bob

Having recently gone the "structural crutch" route using .025" carbon plate (from dragon plate), I can say that it works fine. My challenge was the bond between the scale material (wood) and the carbon. Despite some history with composite structure, I could not get a great bond between the carbon and wood. The wood was quite brittle and broke (pealing away from the carbon) on a couple of instances while working the shaping. Although, I wouldn't hesitate to to it again with the lessons learned.

If I were contemplating this, I would do some experimenting with what glues work well with celluloid. I don't know how you would be able to hide the seams between the donor scales and the original. Maybe use a contrasting color and make it part of the design?

The inlay route appeals to me as well but that is just because I am looking to broaden my skills in that area...

Originally Posted by Splashone

The inlay route appeals to me as well but that is just because I am looking to broaden my skills in that area...

Bob I'd have quoted you as well but don't know how to insert multiple quotes...

I've taken that particular dive into inlay waters and it's well worth the time. Though, each of my inlaid scales may come with a bit of "human meat inlay" as well for a time - needle files can rip a bit of skin as well as blades and sanders.

Seriously, what I'm finding is that with inlay it's tough to determine which is more important, design or execution (but both are pretty much "the whole ballgame"). That wasn't completely obvious until finding a tiny gap between inlay material and surface of the scale after I began to sand off the area. Aaarrgggg!!!! But, in a day or two I'll wrap up a few I'm working on and post some pics. If these turn out it'll be well worth the effort. I started out "small" - just a single piece of material inlaid on each scale, but even that got complicated once I deviated from a pure rectangular inlay. Oh, and I guess I didn't "inlay" as much as cut out a hole in the scale material and try to fit an inlay that's the same thickness as the scale and hole. Lots of issues arise there...

The idea of casting resin scales is likely something I'll try - but maybe not with this particular blade - too many other "new" methods I'm in the process of trying/learning at the moment. It appears that when I have time on my hands (finally!) I tend to cast a wide net for new ideas and techniques and have to manage how many I take on at once. Guess I have a bit of ADHD without the deficit part!