Made my first custom scales

I'm rather new to this art, but I had a vintage straight that I bought at an antique store that didn't have the original scales. The ones on it weren't even the right length, and the toe would hit the wedge when closing, and had to be carefully slid under the wedge. So, I decided to give it a try. I scored some scrap Koa wood from a local vendor fairly cheap (for Koa, that is) and didn't do too bad.

Here is the result.

Attachment 239923Attachment 239924Attachment 239925

Nice looking, and happens to be my best shaver at the moment as well.

For those curious, it's an Allegheny Instrument Corporation blade. I don't know much about them, other than they made surgical instruments too, I think, and were only in business until around 1940.

Looks Great WW, it's a keeper now. Nice Job.

Looks good. Beehive pins? I hope mine turns out as nice. Not crazy about the stain yet.

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Brass pins with bullseye washers. I didn't stain mine, just rubbed a few coats of teak oil.

I love that wood. I cannot tell from the pictures the scale to tang transition in size. when making your own scales that is one area that often does not get enough attention. It needs to transition nicely so it is not difficult to handle and flip while stropping. They look like a decent set of scales. Welcome to restoring.

Very nice for your 1st attempt. Well done!!

I didn't know what I was really doing. I had bought a set of replacement scales on eBay that were made out of wood, and when I put them on I managed to crack one of them, and they were way too big and long for my blade. That's what prompted me to try making my own. I looked at a few of my other razors and tried to eyeball the distances and ratios that were there, watched a couple YouTube videos, then just "winged it".

I'm happy with how they turned out, and they are comfortable while shaving and stropping, which was the important part for me.

I have another razor with crappy scales, so I may try it again.

Awesome first set, good pin work too.
Each set you do ,only gets better.

Very nice - that is beautiful wood! I like the pins with the bullseye washer!

Adam

Very nice, WWRSD!

Nice job on them scales, can't wait to see the next set!

Very nice I hope my first set comes out as nice!!

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Did you use CA or tung oil?

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Teak oil when I took the pics, but have since rubbed tru oil gun stock finish on them, which hardens nicely and has a nice gloss

Awesome. Great job. Love the grain of that KOA, nice choice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WWRSD

Teak oil when I took the pics, but have since rubbed tru oil gun stock finish on them, which hardens nicely and has a nice gloss

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Tru Oil is awesome for the dryer woods, but if you ever decide to work with oily woods, Min Wax polycrylic has worked best for me. The Tru Oil won't harden properly and stays gummy.

Thanks, I haven't used that before. I stumbled on the Tru Oil when I was building guitar - didn't have the skills to actually properly apply a finish and someone had recommended Tru Oil. Gave it a try and it came out beautiful on the Padauk guitar. So far, it seems to be doing ok on the Koa as well.

Nice work! Looks like you have the eye for it.

Get yourself a digital caliper from harbor freight, it will help to get both scales even in thickness and you can use it to perfectly center the pins.

Great work! Keep it up!

That looks like Curly Koa. Whatever it is it looks very nice.


Mike

Just curious, The old scales, what are they made of? They resemble a very rare natural material.

Don't throw away the old scails. They might be ivory.

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The old scales were not ivory- some kind of plastic. Did the hot needle test, and they melted easily.