Thread: what do you guys use?

Hello, first of my name is mykyl (Michael) from Tucson az. I'm 19 and run a sharpening shop in town at the 22nd and Kolb ace hardware. I have been making knives for a few years on and off and just bought my first straight razor about a year ago and decided I wanted to start building my own straights. So this brings me to my question, I'm wondering what you guys all use for your handle materials/what is your favorite? I was also wondering what is the black plastic material that comes on the older straights? Thank you for any help/suggestions.
Sorry if this is in the wrong place please move if it is.

Welcome to SRP!
First, if you are new to straight razor shaving, check out the beginner's section in the Library. It will help answer a lot of the basic shaving questions. If you have any questions on getting started, feel free to post them in the Beginner's section where you will get lots of friendly help.
Hopefully, the straight that you bought was professionally hand honed. If not, send it out to be honed so that it will be sharp and so you will have a reference for your own honing.

Now for your questions.
People use lots of different things for scales (razor handles). Homemade ones are commonly wood or acrylic, but more experienced makers will do horn, ivory, antler, bone, and just about anything.
There is a stickied post at the top of the workshop forum that has a list of where to get scale material, pin material, etc.

The old black handled straights could be made of several different materials. I think the most common was celluloid, but bakelite and rubber were somewhat common. You can also find black dyed horn, baleen, and bone.

That black "plastic" material you're thinking of is probably horn. Depends on the age really. There's also celluloid like previously mentioned.It seems like mostly anything nowadays can somehow be turned into scales. Most popular materials are horn, wood, and plastics. Some use G10 and micarta. I like the look of horn the best but it's not a fun material to work with. I usually use wood. Easy to work with and looks great when you start exploring exotics and burls. Can get pricey though.

Awesome! Thank you guys for the quick replies. I am positive it is not horn. I think it's either the celluloid or the bakelite. I was wondering because I was wanting to find something with the same type of smooth glossy texture but that is still flexible like this stuff is. Is this like the linen micarta when it is sanded and finished? I will definitely move towards the more expensive woods. The ace hardware I work at has a custom wood shop and I get scrap pieces of wood from them. I also want to get some horn material. Is buffalo the most common? And would a belt sander take it down good?