Thread: Bingham Congruent Scales

I’ve just bought a Bingham Congruent on fleabay. My question is, what material are the scales? The razor I’m pretty sure dates from between 1830 and 1840 . The wedge appears to be lead but the scales look synthetic and seem to be plastic. Could the be replacements and if so what would have been the original material?



The photo doesn’t help much I’m afraid...

If its synthetic it is probably bakelite or vulcanized rubber. If the date is correct then those would probably be replacements. I've seen other Bingham razors with horn or bone scales so I'm guessing that is what was originally used.

It is unlikely true in this case but highly polished horn is sometimes mistaken for plastic. Mr. Smith gave the most likely explanation. Sometimes the replacements were done so long ago it seems as though they could be original because they have been there so very long.

They really do look and flex like plastic, it’s the lead wedge that confused me most. Could it have been worth while to renew the scales on an older razor when production of other razors must have been in full flow?

I don't see why it wouldn't be worth while to replace the scales. A razor can last multiple lifetimes and taking the scales from a broken one would allow it to continue to shave. The cost of a razor in lets say 1920 was about $3 which is about $60 today. It doesn't really take all that long to put a set of scales on a razor to save from having to buy a new razor. I'm sure barbers had broken or damaged razors with good scales lying around that would rather replace the scales than buy a new one, I know I would when the razor still functions fine.