Thread: So I'm going to start making scale kits, what EXACTLY do you want in a kit?

Starting sometime in April I will be producing scale kits and selling them in B/S/T forum.

I need some input on what exactly people want in several areas.

1) Wood
What kinds? I will be starting with aprox 5 woods. You decide what ones.

2) level of finish of scale blanks
Do you want rectangles to be cut to shape yourself? as in two peices 6 x 1 x 1/8

Do you want basic scale shape? Oversized basic scale shape?

Do you want them coated in some sort of finish?

3)wedges
Where the heck do I get a large wedge blank?
Is lead ok? I can do lead.

4)Horn
I can make horn blanks from either Bison horn or cattle horn.
The Bison is black and the cattle varies, sometime 2 or 3 colors in the same horn, ie. honey turning white, white turning black , honey turning black
Is two tone horn ok?
Is anyone interested in horn blanks?
Again, what level of finish? Bark on, sanded smooth(220), polished??

if you guys have links that would be helpful then please post them.
I have located the vast majority of what I need but more eyes are always better

my vote would be olive wood and oak.

I've put together scale kits for some people who asked for them. Here's what I included.

scale blanks - 6" x 1" x 1/8" is nearly ideal. The thickness I wouldn't have less than 1/8" or greater than 5/32".
Pins - usually 4-5" of 1/16" brass rod.
collars - 6 at most are required, but i usually throw in 8 or more because they're quite easy to lose.
washers - 2 to use as inside washers, 6 more if they want bulls-eye style collars, and a few more because these are easy to loose too.
wedge - usually a extra piece of 1/8" acrylic or polycarbonate that they can fashion a wedge from. an extra piece of wood the same as the scales blanks could also be used.

That's all I can think of, don't think I'm missing anything, but I'm kind of out of it right now.

I would (and do) want completely finished scales, pins, washers, collars and the like. The big thing for me is finished and ready to peen over. I would be looking at mainly thick wood (i like the heft), purpleheart looks sweet with a high gloss finish and silver collars. Let me know when they are available i have some poor nekkid razors floating around up here in the great white north.

I like horn for scales... What will be the price for those? Blanks only...

Nenad

Originally Posted by bpatton

my vote would be olive wood and oak.

yes to those... plus rosewood.

Horn and antler for sure.

My wishlist for scales for my "orphan" blades.

I'd "like" to have as many of the ancillary parts as possible, ie.. pins, washers, collars, etc...I guess eventually, I'll make up the various tools and dies, to make my own, but for the moment, I'd be willing to buy them from someone in the community... I like to get several sets of pins, washers and collars with out scales also...

I can either supply outlines of scales on paper, or the original scale for you to profile with Dremel or other router attachment. I guess for me the rough profile maybe routed out with a curved radius bit to give a nice rounded shape. I'd be willing to do all the final sanding, buffing, & finish work & coating with CA or tung or linseed oil (or whatever).

1.) I have a DD Dwarf Blade had shrunken scales. I'd be interested in a set of exotic wood or bone in a really nice golden yellow color as close to the original DD yellow as possible. I might consider some DD style inlay work in another material like the original DD scales.

2.) I have DD SatinEdge with shrunken scales. I'd be interested in a set of exotic wood or bone scales in a really nice golden yellow color as close to the original DD yellow as possible. I might consider some DD style inlay work in another material like the original DD scales.

3.) I've got an ancient massive Masonic meat cleaver with a really interesting set of drk brown buff horn scales, that can't be rescued. I'd like a replacement set of scales in mid or drk brown cow or buffalo horn.

4.) I've got a really schweet C-Mon blade (Shrunken scales! again!) that needs scales too. I was thinking something really nice and elegant like ebony with an ivory mid section, and nice big red diamond C-Mon inlay....(I can dream... can't I?)

5.) I've got a really nice R.W. Case Blade that also needs a set of scales. I have no idea what the original scales looked like, but I figure something nice and elegant would work for me there as well.

BTW guys, a million years ago I used to make silicone rubber molds and cast prototypes in epoxy, urethane, polyester, and acrylic...

The technology has moved on since I did this kind of work 30 years ago, but I gather that there are various plastic systems that can be set up at room temperature, you don't necessarily need an autoclave, and the fumes aren't as bad as they used to be 30 years ago when I did this kind of work....so a lot of the this kind of "home-brew" casting can be done in a kitchen, attic, basement, or garage type shop...

I'd like to link up with anyone who's doing this... to exchange notes and info....

Whoever is interested in providing this service, please feel free to PM me with your contact info...

Tony

In a recently acquired bucket of rust, several of the "toasted" str8s had the unmistakeable pattern of pitting and oxidation caused by the decomposition of their celluloid scales.

Obviusly the first thing to do is separate the scales from the blade and isolate the "suffering" and thusly "afflicted" scales way from all other str8s in your collection.

Is there any way to "arrest", "contain" or "cure" the scales?

Also is there any method to treat the blade so that it remains "protected" and "immunized" from the acid gases caused by the decomposing celluloid scales...

Tony

on the woods is 1/8 thick and very flat going to be ok or do I need to go find thicker?
I'm looking for thicker but sheets are hard to find and a table saw wastes almost as much as you use

I sent some of the horn to Joe C and he had trouble with it, I didn't when I used it but I'm going to have to do some work with it to make sure it doesn't warp post working.

I'm starting with raw horn so it's kind of a learning process.

Like I said, I'm sure I can provide what you need, I just need to know what that is so keep making suggestions.