Thread: Needing to put scales on an old scale-less blade

Originally Posted by JGKC9AYC

He's done a rescale for me before and did a good job, but at that time he didn't have the supplies that he has now. I traded him some fairly large, thick bone scales and I think a straight to do the work.
I still have bone slabs lying around as well as some exotic wood and some acrylic in a couple of different colors.

Sounds like me. I tend to 'horse trade' custom scales from those whose work I like.
If I trade them things they like or need, the result is much better than I could ever do.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Sounds like me. I tend to 'horse trade' custom scales from those whose work I like.
If I trade them things they like or need, the result is much better than I could ever do.

Now if I could find someone here that did that! LOL!

You might post in the WTT in the BST. Could be fruitful?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

You might post in the WTT in the BST. Could be fruitful?

I hadn't thought of that. Thank you!

Do you have the original scales? You can use them for a template. Also you can probably reuse the original wedge.

Anything is possible, but it is not likely that you would severely damage your razor by attempting to rescale it. If you are still nervous about it, practice on a cheap ebay beater. Try 1/8" acrylic for your first attempt at making scales. It's cheap. It is soft and works easily with files and sandpaper. It is kinda brittle so if you don't shatter it while pinning, you can probably handle pinning horn or bone or whatever. Then try more challenging or expensive material, then try your wedge razor. HINT: you're not going to finish it tomorrow or even next week. Take your time, start over whenever you think you need to. Try to enjoy the process and the challenge. The end result is not always what brings true satisfaction. Sometimes it is more the journey to get there.

Depending on the amount of work done and the care taken while doing it, $120 might be a very reasonable price. There are guys who will do it for half that. There are guys who will charge more than that. YMMV but the cheapest price for the work is not always what is most important.

Here is a sample template. It may or may not fit your razor. Modify it as needed, with a sharpie marker, cut outside the lines, stick the two scales together with double sided tape, and smooth them down to final dimensions with coarse sandpaper or file. Be patient. Take your time. Start over whenever it seems like the thing to do. You will not have wasted the time, only learned from it.

I wouldn’t do anything to that blade besides scale and hone it. As far as the scales go, 125 doesn’t sound unreasonable assuming they do good work. Nothing worse than a garbage set of scales on a nice razor like that.

I saw another post I guess about this same one. I know you said dumb and clumsy but if you're careful, methodical and take your time you could probably do it. You've obviously got the materials. If I can do it then I think anyone can. That Masonic might not be where I would start though. I would be happy to help but Florida is a long way from where you are. Not that I'm an expert but I definitely have courage. Maybe you have more yourself than you think. Maybe you could practice with some on a different razor. I always try to not get in a hurry. Might want to put.it aside.and make some for a few you don't prize as much so if it doesn't work out it's no great loss. $400 may not be unrealistic but it would be for me. Your buying group would definitely be smaller. A friend once told me everything has two prices: the price that it's worth and the price that will make a sale happen. You could get 4 bills.but you may have to wait for it to happen. It all depends on what you want. Do you want to sell it? If you do then sending it to someone who will charge that much would be making them a chunk of money. Maybe it's worth it. Might not be to everyone. I think if I were going to keep it then I would definitely give it a whirl myself. Practice on some cheaper material s before trying something nicer. I'm sure you can do it with the right amount of effort and lots of patience.

I guess I missed a page of posts before I replied. You got some good advice there. I know someone posted some more scale pattern outlines somewhere else. Not sure if any are the right size but its worth a look. Different brands of razors and I think different sizes listed too. Whether you try on this one or not I really think you should give it a go on one or another. I'm sure you would feel really good about getting it done. If I had a piece of advice worth listening to about making scales (and I'm not saying that I do) it would be probably go thinner than what you think. My first attempts were too thick. I went back to at least one pair more than once.

Originally Posted by CrescentCityRazors

Do you have the original scales? You can use them for a template. Also you can probably reuse the original wedge.

Unfortunately it didn't come with the original scales or scales at all, for that matter.
I found it on the bay about 10 years ago & it's just been sitting in a coffin box all these years.
I also found an old book about masonic stuff that I thought I'd include with the razor around the same time, but don't know if I can find it now or not.

Nice looking razor, not one to practise on.
Don't remember seeing a masonic razor in bone, could be wrong.
Would look good in horn, and it is more sturdy than bone.
There are many members here that do great work.
That era razor always look better as close to original as possible to me.