Thread: Bone scales

So the first straight razor I bought was gold dollar. It shaved great and got me on the path to shave nirvana. But the scales sucked and cracked at the hing pin with in a week so I bought a Parker and a straight from whipped dog and put it in the drawer for awhile. Well figured it was time to do something with this razor so I thought hey how about bone scales! So off to the pet store to pick up some cow bones.


Here is me roughing out the blanks. I had to go through a few bones at the store to find ones with suitable flats. Once I cut those I layed out the shape and took them to the bench grinder.


Got them close and then temp glued them together with paper in between and elmers glue so I could match them up on the grinder


Sorry didnt take a pic of me making the bone wedge. But after shaping I gently split them apart and supper glued the wedge into place useing a finishing nail as a temp hing pin.

I need to clean up the wedge and get it pinned but I like how it has turned out so far.

Thanks for looking

looking good, cant wait to see the final product

Me neither lol

Originally Posted by Substance

looking good, cant wait to see the final product

Yeah, please show the finished project!

Well done. I really like result.

I was with the SWMBO at the Pet Store/Groomer picking up the dogs the other day.
SWMBO found me going through the horn bin, wanted to know what I thought I was doing...

FYI, if you fold a US dollar bill in half lengthwise you have a pretty good gauge on what you need for an average scale blank...just saying'...

Let us know how this turns out, and what are you thinking about for a finish?

Originally Posted by MJC

Let us know how this turns out, and what are you thinking about for a finish?

Following up on the above, I think you're going to need a finish of some kind to keep them from soaking up and holding moisture, thus messing up the blade over time. Please keep us posted with pics when all is done! Look great!!

I've done scales using dog bones from the pet store and it worked perfect. The bone I bought was bleached and sterilized. I used a good coating of Ren wax for the finish and it's done well.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

I've done scales using dog bones from the pet store and it worked perfect. The bone I bought was bleached and sterilized. I used a good coating of Ren wax for the finish and it's done well.

And to think I use bleached white cow bone from eBay for my bone scales!!!!

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

I've done scales using dog bones from the pet store and it worked perfect. The bone I bought was bleached and sterilized. I used a good coating of Ren wax for the finish and it's done well.

Ren wax will have to look for some. Been trying to think of a finish thanks for the tip.
Still working on it folks. Been busy with back to school for the kids, work, and honey do list. I got the wedge profiled and did some reshaping of the blade ( slowly going thru the sanding). Still need to get to the store and pick up some brass rod to pin it up. Will try and snap a couple pics later today so you all can see the progress.