Working on Scales w/o Dismantling the Razor

Although my concern is working with horn or bone scales, I can't imagine it wouldn't also apply to wood and other materials.

Without going into the personal details of "why" I (or anyone else) might want/need to leave the razor assembled, suffice it to say that it's necessary, and leave it at that.

So, my question is: While working on a razor, do you leave it closed, or open?

• If closed, any worry about or precautions to take with regard to sandpaper/spine interaction?
• If open, what precautions do you take to prevent damage to the blade and/or to your hands/body?
• If open, what (if anything) do you do keep the scales from bending inward or breaking?

After cogitating on this for a while, I might prefer keeping the razor closed, but wrap the blade in a thin layer of cloth to keep it safe from scratches and to keep the space between the scales filled. OTOH, it might be better to keep the razor open, but wrap the blade in multiple layers of cloth and insert one-or-more pieces of cardboard between the scales to fill the space.

Yeah... both approaches sound good. Anyone with hands-on experience? Heard from a friend-of-a-friend? Read an article?

If I work on scales with blade still attached the razor is open. I wrap the blade with paper towels and secure with rubber bands. I do this if sanding, polishing, filling nicks. Even if correcting a warp with hot water and clamps. Not all scales need removal to repair.

A strip of electrical tape, folded along the edge leaving some pinched under the edge protects the edge. The blade cannot be closed to work on scales?
I use those dental flossies and Maas on pivots. I smash Q-tips to clean and polish between the scales too. I use pipe-cleaners too.
Working on top of a towel or thick paper-towels is a good idea.