Thread: Scale/Tang Width/Alignment

Not sure if this should be in the workshop or the razors thread. If it is in the wrong spot hopefully it can be moved. Anyway someone replied to one of my posts and it reminded of something that I have been thinking about for awhile now. When I first started making scales I read that the width of the pivot end should be about the width of the tang, but never said anything about the alignment. I guess if the scales are too wide or to curved might mess with stropping when opened all the way. So I was looking at my razors that I use that still have the original scales and the widths and alignment are all different. I guess certain manufacturers have the own requirements. Here are 7 of my razors in my rotation from different makers and countries that have original scales. Granted some of them have been repined to clean up the scales. I've opened them all up in a position that is comfortable to strop to me. You can notice the differences in widths and how they line up. Some the tang/scale widths are almost even and some are alittle bigger. Some the tail protrudes from the scales while some doesn't. The Washington razor the scales are quite noticeably wider, but the tang is longer than the rest and allows for easier stropping. It also has the longest blade of all my razors and total length is the longest. If the tang was shorter I think it would cause a problem for me. The one thing that I found in common is how the alignment of the bottom of the scales to the top of the razor. There isn't much variation there. I remember when I first made scales some were curved quite a bit and it messed with my hand position when stropping. Now all of this is my opinion on how I hold the scales and place my fingers. I am curious as to how others are holding the scales and what they find comfortable as well as what your likes are when making a set of scales if you make them. Also curious if anyone has any razors that have scales that are quite abit larger or curved more than others. Since not everyone holds the razors exactly the same there might be some differences in placement where the alignments change.

JMO but you should never hold the scales while stropping,they should act as a fulcrum in the palm of you hand only

I don't hold the scales I hold the tang and rest the scales on my fingers.

You have a nice set of razors - but as the previous posters have indicated, it's the tension between scales and tang that makes the difference.

You will never strop a razor that has sloppy scales.

I'm not talking about the tension. When I strop I flip the razor with the pad of my thumb not the tip of it. Maybe its just me that does it that way. What interests me is the part of the scale that sticks out on the bottom of the scale. I find that if it sticks out to far it affects my flipping motion, but if it sticks out alittle bit on some razors it actually helps. Just curious if other people are bothered by that and what they find comfortable and also curious as to other makers alignment of scales and tang since some tangs are curved and some straight as well as some scales curved and some straight. Also the width of scales vs tang. Since the weight balance seems to affect a razor I was just wondering if the alignment and width seem to affect the razor. Hopefully you get what I mean because I think my wording is confusing.

Most vintage razors just "work" when it comes to egonomics.
Modern razors with unusual proportions thicknesses & widths don't.

Never occurred to me. Guess all the scales I have our make are close to original.
Will have to look later to see the differences.

First thing that comes to mind with some "creations" I've seen is " how are they gonna strop that thang ? "

That is what got me thinking about it. I always wondered if makers made scales within certain tolerances for ergonimics as well like how they have certain tolerances for spine: width ratios or if they just made them to put on a razor to maybe help with balance or just decoration.

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

That is what got me thinking about it. I always wondered if makers made scales within certain tolerances for ergonimics as well like how they have certain tolerances for spine: width ratios or if they just made them to put on a razor to maybe help with balance or just decoration.

Makers of old simply made a handle,sorta like a handle on a hammer or a screwdriver,simple stuff.
Now the custom guys today that make huge blades may take ergonomics into consideration.