Thread: Early razor scales?

William Evatt cast steel 1791-1805? I think you may have supplied this info for another with the same maker.

Originally Posted by rideon66

William Evatt cast steel 1791-1805? I think you may have supplied this info for another with the same maker.

Yeah, that sounds familiar! I knew I'd looked up the name before, but couldn't remember the information off the top of my head.

The early scales resembling ironing boards shouldn't pose a problem for most restorers here. This is a set of horn I carved to duplicate the cracked ones that were originally on this Greaves stub tail. This thing shaves great!

I usually find old razors with horn scales in tack. I do a few days soak in neats foot oil clean off rust and gunk. Tighten up the pins and hone for a few hours. I have only replaced one set of sclaes and I have bought another set for that razor because I don't like the wood. Maybe I should do that one first before I try and make a set of scales.
I do like the old squared style almost coffin look style scales tapering top to bottom. Only thing is most I have seen are tortoiseshell.

Ok So I was thinking sort of this style scale, but can't find the material to make them anywhere. What would be a good place to look for either horn or something similar to a faux tortoiseshell? If I can't find something like that I may just look for a black horn with white streaks.

There is a product called Kirinite: Be sure to remember you need a 6" length for most scales.
Kirinite Tortoise Shell 1/4" (Sheet) Piece
Is one size available.
And other sources carry it also~

~Richard

So I would want a 1/4" thickness? Can't seem to open the link. I did a search for the product, but most are out of stock for the size I would need except the Kirinite site. Only they seem expensive. The smallest they sell that would be big enough for scales would be a 6" x 12" X 1/4" for 62.95.

Decorative Polyesters


1/8 inch is what you want

here are two different styles you need the 4x10 size for scales

Ok found a site with a sheet of Kirinite tortoise that is 13" x 1" x 1/8" for $17.95. Would this size work?
From looking at the pic of what I want to try and do. Those scales look like they may be thicker than a 1/8".

Yes that size would make one set

6.5 x 1 x 1/8

Most Vintage scales are actually less then 1/8 thick, closer to 1/10 per side...