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I've finished and pinned my first set of scales and I've made some mistakes. These things are huge! This wood looked too good to keep sanding but I should have. I think I bent my pivot pin also. Other than that what do you guys think? BTW the blade is a Joseph Elliot, best silver steel, C+C that I picked up at the gun show for $35 with horn scales. I needed a big blade for the scales. Attachment 192455Attachment 192456Attachment 192457Attachment 192458Attachment 192459
First I love the blade. Not too bad of a job on the scales. Nice shape. Maybe if they were not so thick. Instead of the curve on the outside I would have sanded them flat. That way you have less weight to the scales. Keep at it. You only get better with practice.
We usually learn more from what hits the dust bin than otherwise. They are not that bad but an invaluable lesson for sure. I think you are totally on the right track.
I think the shape and everything looks great but I'd agree about them being too big. Some people like them that way though. I personally hate "chubby" scales and try to make mine as small as functionally possible.
Nice workmanship
The scales look thick & oversized for sure but a good job was done
Not a bad first try. Keep going, you'll get there.
PS your pinning's good too.
Thanks guys. I knew this was the right place to go for some advice. I am filing down the pins now to take the scales apart. As I was filing I found the pins looked a lot better the more I filed. I may go with a flush with the washer look next time. I have another set of blanks that will start at about 1/4". I have a black walnut tree that was cut down so plenty of material to work with and mess up.
Nice shape on the scales. Aim for about 2.5mm 3/32" finished thickness on scales especially a nice hardwood like that. In terms of profile, use an old scale to draw a template then transfer that onto your material. There's plenty of advice in the sticky if you have not already taken a look.
By the way, I'm also from Birmingham - but the original one - so we are only about 3,000 miles apart if you ever want to come over to my shed.
Actually, I learn most from what I manage to fix :)Quote:
Originally Posted by RezDog
In this case, the scales are too thick, and also too wide.
My sister city. I would love to come see your work shop. Sadly I can't trust international travel right now. World is too crazy! I will keep working off the kitchen counter and the easing machine top for now.
Birmingham UK is known as the city of a thousand trades. At one stage it did have a small razor making community but no-where near the size of Sheffield which is 80 miles to the north. It is famous for guns, jewellery and at one stage was heavily dependent on automotive and associated business - it still has the two main Jaguar and Land Rover manufacturing plants.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gomerpile
Sadly, what was once a city centre (downtown) of fine Victorian architecture was destroyed partly by German bombers in WW2 but moreso by city planners in the 1960's who decided that they should be knocked down so that cars could travel freely at ground level, while pedestrians were made to use tunnels underneath the roads. You can imagine the pleasure of using these tunnels last thing at night.
In recent years, this has begun to be reversed and, while it is still not a city you would admire for its beauty, it is getting better.
Birmingham Alabama's, Steel City, history has been lost to the more controversial history of the civil rights movement. I hope in time it will become a thriving metropolitan center again. Untill then we will be known for some great suburbs still. I would love to see it become the new Sologen or Sheffield of the world but I am only one man. LOL! I will do my part, one blade at a time. As soon as I figure out what I am doing.
According to FOX, it's also know as sharia country :roflmaoQuote:
Originally Posted by UKRob
Wide and think scales can be hard to strop and shave with, as can extended pins.
I like the look but they may be hard to hold.
Try making the washer and pin head more symmetrical or just use one washer. You can make the washers the diameter you wish, by chucking them in a drill with a nut and bolt and run them on a diamond plate or file and sandpaper.
Polish them before you pin.
Try filling the wood grain before staining and finishing for a smooth finish, you can also use contrasting filler for a unique finish.
As said, we all learn by doing. Nice work, keep at it.
I am thinking about the colored filler and a ca finish. I have to try a few different things before the next set is done. It seems to me that I can peen the pins and then file them down for a flush with the washer look. Like the dubl duck pins. I have already learned a few things and I'm sure there will be more. Can someone put me another day in the weekend so I have more time to work on my razors!
Very good first try.
It took me about 10 times before I finally got the size right, the thickness right, the wedge right, the pins right, and the pivot hole right. It is a lot to bring together at once, but I learned something from every mistake I made. Now if I could just remember not to make the same mistake again...
Last night I chamfered the inside edge of a scale instead of the outside edge :banghead:
I was working on two sets to begin with and started to chamfer the wrong side on one set. I Might revisit them. They may be just the right size now!
