Thread: Zebra Wood Scales - Work In Progress

Here are some scales from a 1/8 blank of zebra wood (I think). Traced them from a 8/8 Wade & Butcher scale so they are pretty big. Ended up a little wider than the originals. Came out pretty well, except for the small chip where the drill came through for the pivot hole (didn't drill before I shaped the scales). It could probably be sanded out. Coarse grit sanded. No finish. About to head out the door so keeping it brief. Here they are!

Where did you find the 1/8 inch blanks? I can find knife scales (blanks) online quite easily, but they are all at least 1/4 inch thick.

Originally Posted by PushCut

Where did you find the 1/8 inch blanks? I can find knife scales (blanks) online quite easily, but they are all at least 1/4 inch thick.

Try Rockler, Bellforest Products, or Woodcraft. Got the Zebra blank at local Woodcraft location.

thank you JP5

Originally Posted by PushCut

thank you JP5

You're welcome. I took apart the razor that had the scales I was copying and these were way off, so I'm going to be reshaping them again.

Good luck with that. Making scales seems tricky to me, but I hope to give it a try this summer.

Originally Posted by PushCut

Good luck with that. Making scales seems tricky to me, but I hope to give it a try this summer.

Not tricky, just takes time. There is a video by lewisrazors that is VERY helpful if your new to making scales. It is on youtube titled "Making Straight Razor Scales with Minimal Tools". You should definitely watch it.


Here are some things I think will save you a lot trouble and money!

- Use harder woods that won't need stabilizing or have already been stabilized. I have some burl and lacewood that is still too soft even though it was stabilized in wood hardener. An acrylic stabilizer may have worked better, but that would have been more expensive.

- Get blanks that are already 1/8". Then you won't need a belt sander or electric saw. A set of scales made of 1/8" wood is not hard to cut with a regular coping saw.

-Make sure to drill your holes before doing the shaping. If it doesn't leave a clean hole on the other side of the scales, you won't have to re-sand the area.

That scale making video is awesome. At this point, I need to work on stropping and shaving; but hopefully I'll be able to rescale my Greaves & Sons.