Thread: What are you working on?

You have certainly enough to keep you busy for a while. You have some potentially wonderful blades in that group. Nice finds.

I too am going to start trying to make some wood scales - been inspired by the recent work of Outback and Gasman. I only have hand tools other than my Dremel. What will you be using to cut the scales?

Originally Posted by DZEC

I too am going to start trying to make some wood scales - been inspired by the recent work of Outback and Gasman. I only have hand tools other than my Dremel. What will you be using to cut the scales?

I'm not sure yet- that's how much I don't know. My stepdad was a contractor so I'll have a wide variety of options available to me.

Here pretty soon I'll be going into the Library entries, watching videos and searching threads (just like when I first started honing).

If you get going on your project, be sure to post about it in here. I'll be looking to pick up on any pointers/advice you are given.

I keep rewatching this video by the intrepid Mr. Lewis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQm7YToDSpc

Well....if that ain't a tasty group of razors. If ya need help in saving the scales on this one, I may be able to help you out.




I've done some pretty crazy things with horn.

Originally Posted by outback

I've done some pretty crazy things with horn.

I think it would be appropriate to replace “crazy” with “amazing”.

That's a great looking retore!

The Mappin's scales say "Mappin's 75 Cent Razor" on them, and they are very distict. I thought I was going to need to trash them, but Sharpton advised me to try to restore them instead. I had no idea that could be an option. It is amazing what some of you folks are able to do.

Cutting out wood scales is not hard. Making them is realy not that hard either. To cut them out i start with a 1/8 inch blank. Trace the basic shape onto it with a fine sharpie, go to my scroll saw (or you can use a coping hand saw in a vice) and cut out the shape but staying on the outside of the line a bit. Then i use a bench belt sander and sand it the rest of the way to the lines. From there its a matter of what you want as a shape. Change it up a little from the original plan by looking at the curves and round or straight lines.

BTW, i trace an old scale or make my own shape and draw it onto thin cardboard and cut it out. Then trace onto the wood blank. This makes both the basic shape. If a blank is big enough you can get two scales out of one blank.

Then i will put some two sided tape and put the two side together and sand again to the final shape. This makes both identical. Take apart and sand both side smooth on the belt sander to look at the grain and figure which is going to be what side. Then sand to the proper thickness. Sand the basic bevel around the edges then its close enough for hand work.

Hope that helps.

I use mostly hand tools when making scales. I do use either a bandsaw or scroll saw for basic cut out. I use rasps, files and sanding blocks to get my outline, then shape with a scraper for horn or a rasp and file for bone. I do not usually make wood scales.

Just started on the W&B.

There's actually some metal under the rust!

Originally Posted by sonnythehooligan

Just started on the W&B.

There's actually some metal under the rust!

The W&B celebrated are great blades! It can be a real challenge to get the blade face just right without ruining the stamp. Especially if there's some deep pitting, so then ya gotta just call it.
That's a great restore project there!