First attempt at scales (x2)

So, I'm probably like a lot of others here. Can't just shave with a straight razor; have to do some collecting and "tinkering". Anyway, I just started shaving with straight razors in December, and I keep buying more. I think I have more razors than shaves under my belt.

I have a couple that came without scales, and one that needed new scales, so this is my first attempt at making scales.

The first is a 13/16 Carl & Rob Linder (Solingen). I dont think the horn scales that it came with were original, and they were half eaten and warped anyway. The razor needed to be cleaned and re-scaled.

This is how I received it:

https://i.imgur.com/jUxuiAul.jpg

After I got done:

https://i.imgur.com/XnRAcwll.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mu2XXSml.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/sIJVedAl.jpg

I had some 1/8" micarta, so I gave that a try. I like how they turned out. The wedge end is a little fat and "clunky", but they work for me.

I'm learning to hone, but I think I'll send this one off to be professionally honed.

The second is a 5/8 Henckels #12.

These were actually the first scales I tried to make. This one came clean, but without scales. I had some nice stabilized redwood burl from knife handle making and decided to give it a try. I quickly realized that 1/8" is way to thin for this soft wood, so I had to put it on a G10 liner. This made the scales a little thicker than I wanted, but I'm OK with it.

https://i.imgur.com/tBXa5QOl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8eG7xhUl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0vSBberl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RcCRcfIl.jpg

Again, the wedge end does not taper enough, but for now it suits my purpose.

With this one, I discovered how big a difference the taper can be on each side of the tang. The right side is essentially flat and the left has a decent taper. This caused the blade to hit the right side scale. To fix it, I thinned the left side washer by hitting it with a hammer. The blade still favors the right side, but doesn't hit the scale.

Good job. Scales are fun to do.

Fine job!
The best part is you did it and you learned something along the way. That’s a good thing. Keep learning.

You did a great job.
Just in case you are not aware, the wedge needs to taper two directions. No doubt you know that it needs to get wider in the direction from point to heel. It also needs to get wider from the bottom to the top.

Nice job. You will be your own worse critic.
That Henckels is seriously old. They are rare, but unpopular at that age. Only guys that are really into the brand ever notice them. Henckels was the longest producing razor company as far as I know. They made straight razors for over 250 years. To get exact I’d actually have to look it up.

Vanacres, You did a great job on those scales.

If you are a tinkerer like me, you'll probably keep making scales. Here are a couple of ideas as a next step. Instead of a spacer, you might try a wedge. The thin end should be about half the width of the fat end. I usually start at 2mm on the fat end and 1 mm on the thin end.

Also, you made your scales the way virtually all companies make them today, which is flat with the edges rounded. Having some rounding on the scales is a really nice touch, by rounding I mean convex. I think of it like this. The flat scales are the carpenter's pencil of scales. Rounded scales fit our hands better in the same way that most pens and pencils are rounded. Here is set of scales I did that show the convexity.

These photos also show a wedge that became a spacer by the time I got it to fit. Since these pics were taken, I took the razor apart and put a wedge in.

https://integritectn-my.sharepoint.c...oQMQA?e=BO9YXy

https://integritectn-my.sharepoint.c...-99Iw?e=9INY1w

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Utopian

You did a great job.
Just in case you are not aware, the wedge needs to taper two directions. No doubt you know that it needs to get wider in the direction from point to heel. It also needs to get wider from the bottom to the top.

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I didn’t know this. It makes sense, though. Are most wedges made this way?

Yes. Wedges can be a pain to get right. Being small they are hard to work with. But after you have done a few it just falls together right without thinking about it. As both guys say, tapper your wedges in both directions.

In my collection i have more wedges that don't taper in both directions than do.(i think the only ones that do are the few that i have that someone replaced before i got them) though it is a nice touch and does make sense.

Dang it man, those are your first attempts at scales? You're setting the bar pretty high. I started using a straight razor in Dec also, and now have several project razors in the queue. I'm searching for some material to recycle into scales, but nothing has been quite right yet. I might buy some cheap hardwood at the local big box store to give it a shot. From what it's worth from another newer user, those look great.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cwomg

Dang it man, those are your first attempts at scales? You're setting the bar pretty high. I started using a straight razor in Dec also, and now have several project razors in the queue. I'm searching for some material to recycle into scales, but nothing has been quite right yet. I might buy some cheap hardwood at the local big box store to give it a shot. From what it's worth from another newer user, those look great.

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Thanks for the kind words. I have put several handles on knife blanks, and some of those skills are transferable. Not saying that I'm skilled, only that even though these are my first razor scales I have some familiarity working with these materials.

You'll be just fine. Give it a go and you'll be surprised what turns out. Good Luck!

Great job.!!! Better than my first attempt, that's for sure.

Yep...go thinner ! I make most of mine from wood, and found .080 - .085 works for most applications, and as low as .070 for very dense wood. Scales need to flex , they hold proper tension on the blade, throughout its full movement within the scales. Also the reason for a true wedge, instead of a spacer.

Still, a great first, by any means. :rock: