Thread: Bending Scales Back?

I have this old Frederick's Sheffield "The Old English Razor" is imprinted on one side of the scales. They are a little bent. It's some sort of old time plastic that's a semi clear tortoise shell.
I was wondering if there's some way to bend them straight again (heat it up or something)? Any ideas would be a big help.

-Brian

Originally Posted by bth88

I have this old Frederick's Sheffield "The Old English Razor" is imprinted on one side of the scales. They are a little bent. It's some sort of old time plastic that's a semi clear tortoise shell.
I was wondering if there's some way to bend them straight again (heat it up or something)? Any ideas would be a big help.

-Brian

I don't know what I would do in this situation but all I would say is be careful with the heating of it if you are doing this in the end. If you are saying it is old time plastic material, the chemical balance in it might react differently when heated.

You have been warned.

WELL, you can get them to bend back....however, if it's horn (which it most likely is for that era blade), being similar in material to hair, it has somewhat of a 'memory' and will eventually bend back with time.

What has worked for me in the past is to heat the horn (I put it in water, and bring the water up to a boil...DO NOT microwave!! It will pop like popcorn!! That was a lesson learned ). You will then want to clamp it to a solid surface for a while. I put mine in between two metal rulers and put 70 lbs of dumbells on top.

It also helps to condition the horn so that it is more flexible. If you have neatsfoot, use that. I have also had success with high grade olive oil, and I would imagine that mineral oil might work well to.

All this is just me talking, and did the above working with what I though might work. I really do not know the best way. I often stumble through this restoration process with what I think will work, before I find that there is another (and most likely better) way of doing it!

Good luck, and keep us posted!!

C utz

I like the water idea! Thank you!!!

I think that would do the trick. It's not horn, it's some of that first generation clear plastic. Someone here told me what that stuff was, but I lost track of the name.

Whoa-wait!!!

Is it clear celluloid?!

DON'T heat it!!! (http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid.html)

Celluloid, especially the clear 'stuff' is highly suseptible to degradation. Heating it will only make it more unstable. I've had a set degrade on me and take out a few razors along the way.

Post a picture of the scales if you can....

C utz

let me warn you, if it is not horn or a composite be careful. If it's celluloid I would not fool with it, the stuff will burst into flame if you get it a touch too hot. This has been used for years and years as a handle material for both pocket knives and razors and it is VERY prone to the warping and shrinking. If it's horn it can easily be heated and pressed to make them straight again, same goes for some composites.