Thread: Standardizing the keepers - Questions.

Cheers,

After some experience with my herd of razors, I finally selected some of them as keepers (two MK31, a MK32, a MK1 and a Klas Tornblom). I love them all and use them for distinct purposes (the Tornblom and MK1 are really amazing to contours and to shave under the nose and corners of my mouth, the 31s and 32 for the face and neck region).
All of them have good but old, worn or ugly ordinary scales. Nothing fancy as turtleshell or ivory, just assorted colors of celluloid or another kind of sinthetic material.
I am planning to replace all scales to make them all similar in appearance and to attend my fancy demands, and i really love the aspect, contour and lightness of the scales of the MK1, which is sort of 2mm thick sinthetic material (celluloid by the smell) with subtle stripes of creamish color (faux ivory). I see lots of materials resembling ivory, some of them striped, some not, almost white, cream or yellowish-colored, but this is the aspect I am looking for (see photo).

Who sells this kind of material, either in 2mm sheets or pre-shaped scales?
Can I, by myself, work celluloid with common tools? (I do not know anyone who works with razors in Brazil).
Is this material a good choice, or there are more modern, hydrophobic, stable and/or tough materials, similar in color and texture to replace it?
Can I apply a monogram to them?

Thanks in advance!!!

Here is one I have marked and will look for another I bought from.
GPS Agencies - Supply quality knife handle and inlay material
The 1 I bought was a 12" x 12" sheet of vinyl with the stripes, however, it is very soft and pliable so I wouldn't suggest it.

Masecraft have faux ivory also similar to this in 3mm (1/8") sheet of various sizes,
The acrylic is the same as horn to shape and work I find.
Alternative Ivory Sheets 1/8

Do you have access to a meat processing plant or slaughter yard near you? One of the most common materials used for scales has been cow bone, I get mine from the processing plant near where I live, along with my steaks, roasts and ribs. HMMMM, I hadn't thought of that until now, ribs are just about the perfect shape and size. I might have to try that.

Fayette meats market get a rack of ribs and make scales!

That's what I was thinking. Dinner and a razor.

If the celluloid is giving off an odor, that may not be a good sign. Search the forum for "cell rot". Celluloid, for a variety of factors, is rarely used today. Celluloid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For durability, G-10 is probably most commonly used as it is extremely hard but workable. Or if you really desire the look of celluloid, experiment with micarta which you can make yourself.

Hi, fellas!
Thank you for all suggestions! The links for where to get fake ivory were useful (I learned a lot, and meeeeeeeeeeeeeen... this is kinda expensive... and demands some bureaucracy and extra cash to manage its traffic), the bone suggestion was pretty nice (although I am in seargh for something non-porous and hydrophobic to have less trouble with moisture), and alternatives for the celluloid were very welcome.
DGilloon, the celluloid scales of my MK1 doesn't smell, but I also have an old wade and butcher Invincible with similar scales that did when polished. I am aware of cell rot because I had some problems with it in some pocket knives. I do not know G-10, but I'll search for.
I think Micarta can be a good choice, but the paper doesn't collect moisture? Anyway... I already have phenolic resin somewhere and pollen soft paper with a nice color, and I'll get some more paper with a lighter shade to make the experience.
Thank you all, gentlemen, by the useful information and the amusement.

You can stabilize bone so that it isn't porous and the process isn't really difficult. You can use a vacuum canister or use CA to seal it.