Thread: New scales for a Wapi

Here are the Classic Shaving ebony scales on one of my Wapienicas. It's an easy job. Not fancy like customs, but it only takes about 20 minutes to add some nice balance to a Wapi.

Good job Kyle! Nice to know that they worked! I am working on my Wapi scales also. Mopani wood - might as well be granite! Congrats - You've got yourself a nice razor.

Nice job!

Do I need anything besides the replacement scales from Classic Shaving to rescale a Wapi? (A wedge/spacer, etc?)

Here are the scales I am looking at:
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalo...001/312578.htm

As far as equipment, it sounds like I need a drill (or drill press) with a 1/16" bit, and a ball-peen hammer to set the pin. A jeweler's anvil might be nice, too. Am I missing anything?

Yeah, I should order Bill's CD, I know.

Thanks!

Those are the exact scales I used. Pins, washers and spacer are included. In fact, the spacer end is already assembled, so all you have to do is install the blade end. I ordered a 2 oz. ball-peen hammer and bought a cheap India-made tiny anvil locally. I've got a drill press and tried drilling out the Wapi pins, but the bit wanted to wander so I ended up grinding them off with a Dremel. I've done two (actually 3 because I redid the first one with brass pins I made myself). On one I used the inner washers (between the blade and scales) and on the other I left them off. Both work fine. The trick to the job is cutting the pin off with about 1/16 inch to peen over. Any more, and you'll be peening a long time and also risk bending the pin (which was the reason I redid my first one). Take the peening slow. One member here recommends hitting no harder than you would willingly hit your thumb. Not bad advice, although occasionally I hit a little harder but keep checking to make sure the pin is not bending. You won't believe how much nicer the Wapi is to handle with lighter scales.

Great job, Jim.