Scale Material Preferences Changing?

I've noticed something interesting about scale material preferences and thought I would share.

I've always thought of horn as the ultimate, followed by unique wood and then Micarta, with bone thrown in here and there.

I have access to some website click data and noticed that 'louder' Kirinite scales were getting more looks and clicks. I was recently speaking with one of the Kirinite folks. Their primary business has been making gun grips from wood, stag antler, etc...

They started making Kirinite to have something different and it took off like wildfire. They told me they think preferences are changing, that the older folks that like the materials I mentioned are passing on and the new generation likes the designs in Kirinite.

I'm open minded on most things, though will have to say that anyone putting loud Kirinite grips on a 1911 Govt Model should be beaten. haha

https://i.imgur.com/sJq8xrR.jpg

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

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

My preference is still horn or a nice wood, I can't stand seeing a 100 year old Sheffield straight with blinged up Kirinite scales, I just think mutton dressed as lamb.

I do have a Snail Forge with lava flow Kirinite scale that I absolutely love though.

I'll stick with wood, and restoring the original scales.

I think horn, bone, have the most class.

The only scale materials I do not like are are carbon fiber and g10. I do not like the toxicity of the dust of these two.

Like your comments, I like the classic materials. Also, I should note that the data I referred to isn't data from vintage razors, but from new razors and knives.

I don't even know what Kirinite is

I personally prefer natural materials, like horn, bone and wood

But I'm a very old fashioned traditional kinda guy, none of that fancy bling bling stuff for me

I prefer traditional materials as well, but then I also prefer traditional designs for blades. While I think a big old Sheffield wedge would look odd in some bright new material, I'm not sure I'd feel the same about a more modern blade. :shrug:

So, not really my thing, but if it floats your boat, who am I to object?

You mentioned that they started making gun grips. I had always assumed that Kirinite would have a feel similar to acrylic which can get pretty slick when wet (I think??), but if it's a grip material, then it must surely be, well, grippy? My 1911 gov't has the fugly plastic things that came with it, and could do with replacing... :rofl2:

If it was a new razor id could go with new materials. But vintage should be special. Natural materials. Although i have played with acrylic. But not much.

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Originally Posted by TristanLudlow

I don't even know what Kirinite is

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Kirinite is what you can see in the photos, its a type of acrylic made in all sorts of weird and wonderful colours.

I prefer bone. It is the easiest to work, lasts forever and looks great.

This thread has reminded me that I am now of the "older" generation.

I was recently informed that I am no longer middle age, but beyond. Grrrrrrr. I make very few scales from anything other than bone or horn. It’s just the way I roll.

I prefer natural materials, especially exotic and/or rare/expensive natural materials. That said, some exotic materials are a loaded subject, with mixed feelings..
Not interested in synthetics for vintage.
BUT depending on the application like non-vintage gun stocks/handles, utility knives, etc... Then definitely yes on synthetic.
A 1911 with some kind of ironwood.. Hmmm
:)

Dear 32t and RezDog, wait, I am so far over the "I'm no longer middle age" that I'm looking for a new term to describe it. I think it must be based on the decade you would be inhabiting at the time.

50's = Idling while moving
60's = Idling while moving with an assist
70's = The assist has an assist to keep you moving while idling
80's = Spinning in place to gain extra inertia (that's me)
90's and above = Where few men have gone before

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Originally Posted by RezDog

I was recently informed that I am no longer middle age, but beyond. Grrrrrrr. I make very few scales from anything other than bone or horn. It’s just the way I roll.

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Rezdog, that's not a bad thing. I am well into geezerhood and still loving life and doing crazy feces. I buy stuff i shouldn't but don't get upset over it. I'm with most of those
commenting, I like horn bone and wood.

Horn, then horn, probably horn.

I do like the "classic" horn, bone and wood on the vintage razors.
Now, I do have a couple newer custom razors and the Krinite does look good on them in my opinion.

I suspect that most of us here are no longer in our 20's and early 30's.

Several folks have posted that Kirinite looks good with the right product and I would agree with that.

Ivory. Horn. Bone. I do not like wood. I haven’t seen wood to much as original. Plastics are alright but when it gets loud I’m not a fan. Tc

There are some cool plastics. I’m not sure what razor I would put them on.

I lean toward natural scales. I have one in G-10 I really like. Lots of Celluloid, hard rubber, and Bakelite.
A few I have in wood are a lined one in Cocobolo.

Another in black bog oak. Love that! Just never have been into wood scales much.

But then.....I don't make scales! :D

I use hard oily woods exclusively right now. I always do a CA finish on them, which is a lot of work and so much can go wrong so quickly, so I've been considering trying out a g10 or a synthetic ivory of some kind. Always steered cleer of bone and horn though, so no real experience or interest there.

I have used kirinite, it looks good in photos but Im not a fan.
Natural materials for me, although horn stinks :(

1 Horn
2 Bone
3 Synthetic versions of ivory & tortise shell
But definitely naturals or faux naturals on vintage or copies
4 New blades the books are open to woods & synthetics etc

I agree with most of the comments as I tend to like bone, horn, naturals also, but not all of the Kirinite is loud with weird colors. Here is a shot of some Antique Pearl Kirinite.


Attachment 297959Attachment 297960

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Originally Posted by MikeT

I prefer natural materials, especially exotic and/or rare/expensive natural materials. That said, some exotic materials are a loaded subject, with mixed feelings..
Not interested in synthetics for vintage.
BUT depending on the application like non-vintage gun stocks/handles, utility knives, etc... Then definitely yes on synthetic.
A 1911 with some kind of ironwood.. Hmmm
:)

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If you mean Tortoise, MOP and ivory as exotic materials I think they make the most beautiful scales on vintage razors.

My favorite scale material is plastic, everything from bakelite to modern thermoplastic . Obviously of high quality and ideally with a nice silver inlay.

As far as natural scales go, I really like black horn.

I do not like acrylic. Not sure what Kirnite falls under, but it reminds me of those kitshy looking bowling balls.

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

If you mean Tortoise, MOP and ivory as exotic materials I think they make the most beautiful scales on vintage razors.

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They are indeed beautiful, nicest scales I have seen made with that material are those Heljestrands.

Attachment 297963

This is my Snail Forge 9/8 monster, Brunos razors are not what you call "typical form", they are very modern designs. I think the Kirinite scales look amazing. Same scales on a 1850s Sheffield?...:cry:

Totally agree Mark.

I'll have to post a few of the ones I have in Kirinite

Quote:

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Originally Posted by markbignosekelly

Attachment 297963

This is my Snail Forge 9/8 monster, Brunos razors are not what you call "typical form", they are very modern designs. I think the Kirinite scales look amazing. Same scales on a 1850s Sheffield?...:cry:

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I think that looks sharp. A lot of folks have commented that Kirinite would be an option on new blades and most of the crew here are more focused on vintage straights. The data from my original post was geared around new blades.

Kirinite is in the acrylic family. It's the highest quality acrylic I have come by.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ppetresen

I use hard oily woods exclusively right now. I always do a CA finish on them, which is a lot of work and so much can go wrong so quickly, so I've been considering trying out a g10 or a synthetic ivory of some kind. Always steered cleer of bone and horn though, so no real experience or interest there.

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The have some really nice synthetic ivory on the market now that has both the grain and end grain of ivory.

I've worked with G10 a lot and here is my take. I only use it when I have no other choice, which is doing liners for scales where the scale material is somewhat fragile and needs support.

The reason I don't like it is because the dust is really toxic - quality respirator required, it will make you itch like fiberglass, so long sleeves with rubber bands on them and gloves are required, and it's hard on machinery and tools. It will wear a band saw blade or belt sander belt down to nothing in no time flat. The same thing it does to them, it does to the internal parts on equipment.

I have some G10 scales that I like. However, I don't like them any better than Micarta, horn, bone or nice wood.

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Originally Posted by Pete123

The have some really nice synthetic ivory on the market now that has both the grain and end grain of ivory.

I've worked with G10 a lot and here is my take. I only use it when I have no other choice, which is doing liners for scales where the scale material is somewhat fragile and needs support.

The reason I don't like it is because the dust is really toxic - quality respirator required, it will make you itch like fiberglass, so long sleeves with rubber bands on them and gloves are required, and it's hard on machinery and tools. It will wear a band saw blade or belt sander belt down to nothing in no time flat. The same thing it does to them, it does to the internal parts on equipment.

I have some G10 scales that I like. However, I don't like them any better than Micarta, horn, bone or nice wood.

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Thanks for this info! I've heard good things about the Elforyn synthetic ivory, or were you referring to something else? Liners too is something I've never actually used but think look amazing, besides a great way to strengthen out the scales.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikeT

A 1911 with some kind of ironwood.. Hmmm
:)

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I was given a relatively large block of ironwood to play around with. Really interesting stuff, and beautiful when you sand it down, but you also have to be careful not to let it get too hot. Plus, holy crow, does dull things! It's one wood that I never apply a finish too and just let it sit as it is.

I don't know much about the synthetic ivory. The material that has accurate end grain is $50 or so for a set of blanks.

Masecraft has synthetic ivory in the sizes we would need and the reviews are good. At this pricing it probably doesn't have the end grain, though I don't know how important that is.

Alternative Ivory col.849/TM

USA Knifemaker has the endgrain I think. Here is the link, though my Mac won't open their website. Make sure they have sufficient length as the knife scales often aren't long enough.

https://usaknifemaker.com/resin-ivor...x-5-block.html

@pete123 the imitation ivory from masecraft is a nic3 material to use I use th3 1/8” as a base for scales, it doesn’t act like acrylic and is a bit more flexible, but easy to sand & cracks like real ivory if over peened unfortunately
It does have a flairly straight grain like a wood but not the Criss cross end grain of some natural ivory
This is a resent rescale of a shavette in the imitation ivory
Not the best pics
Attachment 298598

When I first got into this the plethora of wood options tantalized me. Over time, possibly because the originals didnt use wood, my interest in wood has waned and I find I'm into bone and horn. Like others the multicolored plastics turn me off except on the modern razors where they seem to fit.