First Crack at Making Scales

Hello all,

I recently got lucky, and acquired a Finney Tally-Ho as part of a lot. The blade cleaned up easily, and is certainly one of my top shavers. Unfortunately, it was wearing a pair of generic black plastic scales that didn't seem to fit a blade of such awesomeness.

I found some nice scale blanks on Etsy, and got a pair each of black buffalo and honey colored ox. I went with the black buffalo for the Tally-Ho (the honey ox will go with a Greaves blade I received in the same lot).

This is how it looked with the old generic scales. They seemed to be too long for the blade as there was quite a gap between the toe of the blade and the wedge.
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I started by taping the blanks together and cutting a rough shape. I wanted these scales to be a bit shorter for a better fit.
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Then, after much trial and very much error, I was pleased with the result.
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Here is the finished product. I think it turned out ok for a first try. I certainly plan on getting some better equipment for future scale projects. It was an uphill battle all the way. I'm too exhausted to shave now (how ironic).
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Nice work Doc. They seem to flow naturally, with the unique pattern to the horn. Nice selection.

They look great. Could have used more thickness in the wedge it looks like. Maybe just the pic but it looks like a tight closing fit. Sometimes that will cause the pivot to loosen as it wears a little. Overall though good job :<0)

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

They look great. Could have used more thickness in the wedge it looks like. Maybe just the pic but it looks like a tight closing fit. Sometimes that will cause the pivot to loosen as it wears a little. Overall though good job :<0)

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I appreciate the feedback. The wedge could stand to be a bit thicker. Unfortunately, the material I started with was very thin to begin with. I would like to eventually make a lead wedge if it ends up causing problems. I am looking forward to taking what I've learned during this project, and making the next set even better. :beer1:

There ya go Doc! Nice work. Now you're on your way to making scales for whenever you need some. I like the look of streaked horn. I have black horn, streaked horn, honey horn, rams horn, bleached white bone & some cocobolo for scales.

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Originally Posted by engine46

There ya go Doc! Nice work. Now you're on your way to making scales for whenever you need some. I like the look of streaked horn. I have black horn, streaked horn, honey horn, rams horn, bleached white bone & some cocobolo for scales.

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I am certainly looking forward to upgrading my tools, and getting started on the next set. I expect that my SRAD will only worsen now that scale condition is less of a factor. :gaah:

I only have one piece of advice. Never use the word "crack" in the same sentence with scales!

Nice job.
Love your show.

Looks good! :tu

I think you did a great job! I've got a nice vintage razor with cheap scales and would love to replace them with something like you did.
Inspired now!

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Originally Posted by DocMartin0321

I am certainly looking forward to upgrading my tools, and getting started on the next set. I expect that my SRAD will only worsen now that scale condition is less of a factor. :gaah:

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It will worsen but in a good way! You will see that you can make some beautiful scales.

Thanks all! There is certainly a sense of accomplishment when you see them all finished. :tu

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Originally Posted by DocMartin0321

Thanks all! There is certainly a sense of accomplishment when you see them all finished. :tu

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There is not a better feeling than the one you get when you have accomplished something you didn't think was possible. You never know unless/until you try!
Than you very much for your contribution!

She's a beauty! Nicely done

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Originally Posted by 10Pups

They look great. Could have used more thickness in the wedge it looks like. Maybe just the pic but it looks like a tight closing fit. Sometimes that will cause the pivot to loosen as it wears a little. Overall though good job :<0)

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You mean more taper ? Dont see thick wedges in vintage razors.

Those look great! I've been a little intimated to start a horn scale project. Don't know why, I'm definitely inspired!
I wonder if different kinds of horn are harder than others to work with. Also want to know more about warping.. I'm gonna go see if I can find some posts about horn! :)

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Originally Posted by MikeT

Those look great! I've been a little intimated to start a horn scale project. Don't know why, I'm definitely inspired!
I wonder if different kinds of horn are harder than others to work with. Also want to know more about warping.. I'm gonna go see if I can find some posts about horn! :)

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I've worked with a lot of horn & there isn't much difference in hardness. I actually like working with it. It can come out beautiful when done! Here are some honey horn scales I made from scale blanks or slabs. The first pic is when I finished them but then a day or so later, one of them had some cracks in it after I tried mocking up a razor so I had to duplicate one scale which is in the second pic. the third pic shows the Jonathan Crooks FBU blade I was mocking up.
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I start out by cutting out my scales from a pattern I make. I then use some double sticky sided carpet take & put both pieces together as even as possible. I then g out to my belt sander & from one end to the other I slowly take some of the horn off at the long edges until both are nicely & evenly rounded. I then have some wet or dry sandpaper & i wet sand them starting in this order, 240, 280 , 320 , 360 ,400 ,500 , 600 ,800 ,1000 ,1200 ,1500 ,2000 ,2500 & 3000 grit & on the insides of the scales too, to get a nicer transparency to them. I then use some Maas polish with a soft rag & hand polish them out, then I use a clean soft rag & then they are shining so beautifully.

Thanks! The more I see these horn scales the more I look forward to working on them.
I thought that maas polish is for metal...? If so, I wonder if maas polish would dry the oils out of the horn. Errrr Ofcourse that is if horn is oily. I wouldn't know given my lack of experience. Is there a favorite polish among horn enthusiasts?
Will be looking for good horn now.

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Originally Posted by MikeT

Thanks! The more I see these horn scales the more I look forward to working on them.
I thought that maas polish is for metal...? If so, I wonder if maas polish would dry the oils out of the horn. Errrr Ofcourse that is if horn is oily. I wouldn't know given my lack of experience. Is there a favorite polish among horn enthusiasts?
Will be looking for good horn now.

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I don't know if there is a polish for making them shiny like the Mass does but once done you cane wash them off in soap & water, then soak them in neatsfoot oil which will help retain the luster. I have never used the neatsfoot on new sales but it does rejuvenate old horn scales. I have used Maas with no problem & I used Mothers before I started using the Maas. Either works well.

I agree with everything engine says above. I used the same process to make my two sets of scales, except I don't have a belt sander and had to hand sand entirely. My final polisher is Metal Glo instead of MAAS, but it is the same idea.

I got my scale blanks from a guy on Etsy. Not sure if I can share his name (the name starts with something you dip tortilla chips in ;)), but he is selling pairs of horn blanks for $7.25 each currently.

My only other tip is to not rush it. You can always take more material away, but you can't put it back. :tu

That is some great looking horn that you got! Nice work on the scales, especially for your first set!!

Those all look great. Love the figuring on your horn scales Doc. I've been trying a similar method with wood and kirinite for my two sets of scales made so far. I have some horn ordered so ill be giving that a try soon. How thin do you try to get it before shaping? Some horn blanks seem quite thick and I'm not sure how far to take it down.

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Originally Posted by MikeB

Those all look great. Love the figuring on your horn scales Doc. I've been trying a similar method with wood and kirinite for my two sets of scales made so far. I have some horn ordered so ill be giving that a try soon. How thin do you try to get it before shaping? Some horn blanks seem quite thick and I'm not sure how far to take it down.

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I get scale blanks in 3/8" thick & sometimes in 3/16". I use my belt sander to take it down until slightly thicker than what I want my thickness to be because once I roughly make my radius on the scales to make them rounded, I have to sand them in progressions which takes a little more material off. Foe 3/16" scale blanks I won't take off too much. I'm thinking about using some Kirinite for some custom scales.