Thread: Would like someone to make scales for me

Hi all:

I wouldn't even begin to know how to make a set of scales so I'm throwing myself at your mercy.

I want a set of scales made out of the tagua nut. Here is a link to some examples of tagua crafts. tagua

I have a Wapienica 5/8 razor that I would like to have these scales for.

Now, I know that the nut is going to be too small for 1 nut to cover the entire length of the scale so there would be a need to join 2 or 3 together which will cause seams. I figured that those seems could be disguised with some decorative gold leaf or brass bands or something else that I'm not creative enough to figure out.

If I purchased the nuts, provided a full scale drawing of the current scales on the razor for size dimensions, would anyone be willing to make the scales and set the razor in them? Obviously, I'd be willing to pay for this service.

I know also that I would need a spacer and pins. I thought we'd discuss design options for these as well as the decorative camouflage for the seams.

A crafts lady told me that working with the tagua nut requires the same tools as for woodworking since the nut is as hard as wood.

I think a mortise and tenon joint would actually be hidden pretty well if you could have a tight fit and a finger joint/dovetail wouldn't look all that bad if it were visible. But, geez, the only way I can think of joining the material would be to do the tenon joint on an actual blank and then somehow cut the scales out of it. It's beyond my scope to figure out how to connect each piece of the nut together.
Try sending Bill Ellis or Joe Chandler an email or PM if you haven't done so, and they might be willing to take the job on, or at least suggest a different material that would look like the tagua nut but would be more practical.

I think some mother of pearl between the nut pieces could look really nice.

Damn this RAD seems to be branching out....
J.

for something this exotic, which you obviously know will cost some coin. you might want to consider giving Vladsch a PM/email. with you post count im sure you've seen his stuff. its simply amazing, craftmanship and time to detail that just seems lost in today's society. he'll even make ya a nice box to put it in

you could also try bill or robert williams. both have extensive tradeskill experience.

if you are having scales made, don't forget you don't have to have the exact scale that the blade is currently in. you can change,design your own, copy one you like, anything you can think of. if you are making it the possibilities open up. ofcourse the maker will almost always want your razor so that he can fit it perfectly and make sure the action is smooth.

my 2cents

~J

Thanks for the advice everyone. I had forgotten about Bill and Joe and Vladsch.

The cost of the actual tagua nut themselves is relatively inexpensive so the cost would be tied up in the labor to produce said scales.

I'm a simple man really so a simple set of scales is, to me, just as beautiful as the more decorative scales. I'm basically just looking to replace the metal ones with something more attractive.

You've all given me much food for thought and I'm grateful for your input.

What would one expect to pay for a basic set of wooden (ebony maybe?) scales for a Wapienica?

Originally Posted by Kyle76

What would one expect to pay for a basic set of wooden (ebony maybe?) scales for a Wapienica?

No clue, I just know the tagua isn't that expensive but as it stands, I've since changed my mind on these (as an aside, thanks for bringing this post up again so I can put this to bed - I had really forgotten this post until now)

PapaBull posted a picture of a razor with some maroon micarta scales which I love so much, I've started a conversation with him about making me a set (possibly with my University's seal incorporated into is since the University's color is maroon)

I'm not sure what the final product will look like as I'm just starting to talk with him.

I had gotten the impression that the tagua would probably not make a good material for scales and considered the matter dead after seeing PapaBull's thread. Yes, one of may favorite colors is a deep, rich burgundy or maroon.