Thread: Question regarding toxic woods list

Im looking at making some scales for a razor and i was looking at the toxic woods list, seems that many, more than i imagined are on there. Is it recommended to avoid ones like skin irritant ect for scales? i notice that a lot of pre cut scale material is wood on this list such as rosewoods and ebony, are these avoidance woods? is it mainly from dusts while shaping? does irritant transfer from scales to blade affecting shaves?

many questions, i know. I have many more too. Im just a little confused by how many woods would be ruled out and im even starting to think about micarta or similar.

thanks in advance for any advice.

If you use the proper precautions I think all wood is "relatively" safe.

You will be putting a finish of some sort on it so the transfer from scales to blade seems minimal to me.

I have used rosewood and a LOT of ebony and have had no issues so far for irritant issues.

To be more precise: the wood itself is safe when used as a finished product. Once it's a pair of scales, it's good. The toxicity comes into play when sanding it. The dust can be very problematic for your respiratory system and eyes. And as long as the dust is in your workshop (you didn't clean it up) it can be problematic even long after you did the sanding.

The same holds true for other materials as well. G10 dust for example is about as healthy as asbestos fibres, which is why I don't use it. Micarta is not much better, though it lacks the danger of glass fibres embedding themselves in your lungs.

The key safety precautions to sanding scale material are:
- wear respirators
- wear goggles
- ventilate
- clean up the dust

Thanks chevhead, that kinda puts my mind at rest. Really didn't fancy micarta. I have been eyeing up some Asian striped ebony and a few burl woods, but as this would be my first razor scaling i think the cheaper ebony would be the better option. Really liking the appearance of some Thuya burl i have been looking at however

Originally Posted by Bruno

To be more precise: the wood itself is safe when used as a finished product. Once it's a pair of scales, it's good. The toxicity comes into play when sanding it. The dust can be very problematic for your respiratory system and eyes. And as long as the dust is in your workshop (you didn't clean it up) it can be problematic even long after you did the sanding.

The same holds true for other materials as well. G10 dust for example is about as healthy as asbestos fibres, which is why I don't use it. Micarta is not much better, though it lacks the danger of glass fibres embedding themselves in your lungs.

The key safety precautions to sanding scale material are:
- wear respirators
- wear goggles
- ventilate
- clean up the dust

Work outdoors, got it

just joking, thanks for the advice folks

Originally Posted by stev

Work outdoors, got it

I found a safer alternative ........ I buy the scales already made ......

wheres the fun in that jimmy?

I've worked with quite a few different woods that are known to cause certain irritations, but only one so far has actually caused irritation to my skin and that was yellowheart. I still work with it since it isn't that bad and the wood looks really nice once finished so its a fair trade off. Each wood affects everyone differently. Like stated above just take precautions and if anything starts to cause serious irritation you can always avoid that wood.

Is not just woods folks,ANYTHING that creates dust particles can be problematic.
I work with alot of exotic materials and breath in this crap every day,it will take a toll on you down the road.

Question, can you point me towards this list, i'd like to look over it and see if anything i've been using is on there.