Thread: Joseph Rodgers Sons Cutler Their Majesties Celluloid Tang Straight Razor 6/8+

I've always wanted one of these. I found his beautiful razor sitting on Ebay. Literally just sitting there! For the Buy Now price of 10 cups of Venti Starbuck coffee I had to have it. With my untrained eye, the blade seems to be in good/great condition. Very little staining, rust or pitting.

Now the easy part is over. The blade is purchased and it's on it's way to Cheetahville.

So here's the hard part. I think the razor is covered in Ivory so what's the best way to get scales for it? The 2 ways that I can come up with are:

1: Scour Ebay for a set of scales that I think will match. I've seen some blades that I wouldn't mind sacrificing for a set of "bone"scales for this beautiful razor. I think this razor is covered in ivory but really have no way of telling. If so I would want a pair of Ivory scales or to protect it. Would there be a problem with the colors of bone matching during the restore? I would like a uniform look.

2: sending it out for restore and relying on the expertise of the person doing the restore to find the best material for the job...which I figure will be super expensive.

Totally not opposed to the expensive route but if I can at least supply the scales I feel like I will have contributed in some way and helped to keep the cost down by doing some leg work myself. If this razor should be totally left to the pros then let me know.

Either way this one is going to get done...lol

Thanks

Cheetah

So here is what I would like it to look like

Original Restores Gallery | Maggard Razors - Straight Razor Restoration, Custom Scales and Wet Shaving Products

If the tang is ivory I think the hardest part would be trying to match the color if you went with ivory scales. Might be able to find a set that is aged and close to the same color. I'm sure there are ways to age ivory to match the color. Could always go with something like ebony or black synthetic material to give contrast to the tang. Either way I think it will look great done and Rogers razors take a fantastic edge.

Those scales look like they came off of an MK. I have a couple of mk32's I could measure for you.

Originally Posted by jfk742

Those scales look like they came off of an MK. I have a couple of mk32's I could measure for you.

Any imput that will help move this project forward would be awesome and helpful.

Thanks

Cheetah

I am not sure about your need for a perfect match on the ivory color. I have some razors that haven't got a perfect match in color from side to side, and I doubt my scales have seen any work. They don't always get the same exposure to air and other things so there is often a small difference. Just give it a light clean and try your best to match it up. I have acquired quite a few razors while trying to find two sets of scales that match my seven day set. Some have been picked up for very little. A funny side story, I was in an antiques mall and saw a razors with bone scales that said Ivory scales on a razor $125, I turned up my nose and ket looking, and found a razor with a very nice set of ivory scales that were advertised as plastic, $10. So look for sure.

Originally Posted by JSmith1983

If the tang is ivory I think the hardest part would be trying to match the color if you went with ivory scales. Might be able to find a set that is aged and close to the same color. I'm sure there are ways to age ivory to match the color. Could always go with something like ebony or black synthetic material to give contrast to the tang. Either way I think it will look great done and Rogers razors take a fantastic edge.

Black scales would be the easy way out IMO and I'm sure people would question why go through the trouble of getting a covered tang to not have the scales match. There's probably a reason why it didn't come the factory with contrasting scales and I want Joseph Rodgers himself to be proud of the work, not angry with my short comings.

Thanks for the imput. I hope that you are right with the ivory color matching part.

Cheetah

cheetah
Here's a beautiful straight that I would hate to take the scales off of because it is a Mappin & Webb but It looks like the scales are Ivory!

Old Antique Vintage Mappin Webb Straight Razor 3 4" | eBay

Think I'll keep searching but those would be great candidates bit like I said, I'd hate to take the scales off of a prime razor like that!!!!!

Originally Posted by engine46

cheetah
Here's a beautiful straight that I would hate to take the scales off of because it is a Mappin & Webb but It looks like the scales are Ivory!

Old Antique Vintage Mappin Webb Straight Razor 3 4" | eBay

Think I'll keep searching but those would be great candidates bit like I said, I'd hate to take the scales off of a prime razor like that!!!!!

Yup I saw that earlier today. This project has totally consumed me. I've literally been in front of this computer for hours searching

Thanks!

I vote for Black horn as well.

You don’t need a belt sander or fancy saw. A hand held coping saw and some sand paper are all you need. A homemade birds mouth from a piece of plywood would make it a bit easier, it’s not complicated.

Here

is a great video of Charlie Lewis making a set of scales with a minimum of tools.