Thread: Scales - vs- Tang -vs- Stropping

So true,scale Ergonomics are very often overlooked in favor of wild and crazy.

Which one looks like it would roll the best?

When he first started out, one of the top custom makers put his scales/pivot end too close to the heel of the blade, making a very short area of tang to hold and flip. Made it very awkward to strop. It was doable but required relearning that particular razor every time I went to it. Presently making someone else happy. The second from the right is similar to what I'm talking about. Lynn, and maybe some others mentioned it to the guy and he began making his razors with a more generous space between the end of the scales and the tang. The short tangs looked cool though.

Another thing that really bugs me is custom scales with an overly wide taper towards the wedge end. Makes flipping the razor awkward in my stumpy hands.

I always make the scales the width of the tang. Even a little narrower is fine, but wider can be a real pain to strop.
When the razor is open for stropping the tang should line up nicely with the scales, too much curve to the scales also can cause stropping issues even when the scales are similar width with the tang.

Great observation! Granted, im a relative newb, but of 5 straights ( one semi-vintage), I have 2 that are just less natural to hold and balance to strop. The scales and tang are somewhat " out of line", not to the eye, but to the hand, and I have to concentrate harder to keep them properly aligned when stropping.

Thanks Glen for the insight...I thought it was just my newness!

Harold

Originally Posted by Haroldg48

Great observation! Granted, im a relative newb, but of 5 straights ( one semi-vintage), I have 2 that are just less natural to hold and balance to strop. The scales and tang are somewhat " out of line", not to the eye, but to the hand, and I have to concentrate harder to keep them properly aligned when stropping.

Thanks Glen for the insight...I thought it was just my newness!

Harold

One of the most Important aspects of stropping is, IMO, blade tension,That blade has to be tight in the scales (to a point)for me the tighter the better.A loose Floppy blade will Kill stropping every time.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

One of the most Important aspects of stropping is, IMO, blade tension,That blade has to be tight in the scales (to a point)for me the tighter the better.A loose Floppy blade will Kill stropping every time.

Very true, and that has to do with how the scales are made and also the wedge. The scales have to be flexible enough to allow for optimal tightness on the pivot pin, but also the wedge has to be the right angle and thickness to help the tension.

Originally Posted by mainaman

Very true, and that has to do with how the scales are made and also the wedge. The scales have to be flexible enough to allow for optimal tightness on the pivot pin, but also the wedge has to be the right angle and thickness to help the tension.

Absolutly,is more to making scales than meets the eye,are lots of perameters envolved,not just pinning two pces of wood together.

Nothing like flipping a razor on the return part of the lap and all of a sudden it feels like it is coming out of your hand. Real exciting when bare footed :<0) I have to admit that some of my first pivot pins were sooo tight I had to lube them twice a day :<0)