Thread: How to engrave scales?

If you already have or have access to a router or want to do 1,000 scales that would be the way to go.Otherwise I would do it by hand.

What material are the scales that you are going to inlay made of?

This might be what you are looking to do.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/custo...sears-son.html

V/R
Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

If you already have or have access to a router or want to do 1,000 scales that would be the way to go.Otherwise I would do it by hand.

What material are the scales that you are going to inlay made of?

Dremel has a router attachment, but for a fine fit and finish, it has to be completed by hand.

I have and use a Dremel like tool and they have their place for sure. The main issue I have is that if you make a mistake/OOOOPS the piece is ruined.

Working by hand you will still make mistakes but they probably won't be as large and then you can repair or cover them...

They old school escutcheon plates have posts soldered to the back of them and they are inlaid into the scale, the post go through holes and are then peened over on the inside. I think it would likely be easiest to get it all fitted, have the plated engraved and then installed. We also have a ton of really great glues now that could make the post system unnecessary. Hand engraving letters on a silver or brass plate is really not as easy as it looks, unless you are planning this as an ongoing technique that you want to learn and continue to produce, likely getting the engraving will be easiest. What tools to use for making the recess for the plate with depend on the material. Hard materials like shell, bone and ivory need special chisels. Horn can can be worked with wood working chisels.

I’ve done a few from inlaying brass “plates” to scrimshawed ivory, MOP, Abalone etc.
Did it all with what is essentially a high tech Dremel. ( micro motor) I think they came out well.
Only guessing but this sounds like what you want to do.
I’ve done inlays into horn, acrylic , ivory , wood.

If this hasn't been said yet, then let me say...check out the custom builds and restoration thread, and the what are you working on, thread in the workshop.

Some seriously talented folks here, some of the work you speak of is documented in those threads....somewhere.!

It'll blow your mind, at the things folks have done with razors and scales. True artists..!!!

@mycarver
You have to remember that you are a professional carver and your skill with professional tools is way beyond what most of us possess.

This is great info. The posting of the Henry Sears and Son razor is exactly what I want to do. I'll get someone to do the actual engraving, but want to inlay the plate into the scale myself.

It sounds like the best way to get started is to use the dremel to do a starter hole, followed by a routing bit to remove more material, followed by doing the fine work around the edges with wood chisels. My Dremel drill press has the ability stop how far down it goes, thus enabling a consistent level of depth for the engraved plate

Of course, I would practice a few times on extra scale material before putting a nice scale at risk.

More questions:

1. Does the plan I just laid out sound like a good one?
2. Mycarver, can you share the make and model of the micro motor you use?
3. Does anyone know where to get the shields? USA Knife has a few, though I would like some other options. It would be great if I can find a shield or escutcheon plate made of silver.
4. Seems to me the wood chisels should work on wood, horn and micarta. They may or may not work on acrylic and G10.
5. What would be a good glue for this?

Many thanks to all that have taken time to post!

I would imagine an engraver would have suitable plates.
Dixie Gun Works has a wide variety of inlay plates that might be suitable for your needs. I know they have brass and german silver, they may even have sterling. If silver is desired, an old dime, pre 1964, could be worked into a suitable plate,