Thread: Camel Bone Scales? Anybody Tried Making Them?

I have been messing about with bone recently.. Work toward the outer edge is some advice ..

Is that dark piece water buffalo horn? that's huge! looks like a lot of material to work with. Is it thinner at the big end like a cow horn?

Originally Posted by Phrank

Bone scales here, don't know species, but Karl suggested them for me for something to resemble ivory, as usual, he did a beautiful job on this Wade & Butcher, The Celebrated Hollow Ground Razor, For Barber's Use.

Love that laser beam bevel that Escher stone leaves on the blade.....:-)

Attachment 320687

The scales are giraffe bone from Austin Kennedy. Hard, dense and very small pores. You can add a bit of age to them by dyeing in tea. My experience with cow bone is it is much more porous. During polishing the color of the polish will fill the pores. I typically use a white cake on a stitched cotton wheel for the final polish. If you use something with a dark color like an ebony base on cow bone it will leave the black in the pores and look more like very old cow bone. Once it is in the pores you can't get it out so don't use something like knife makers green.

I have one of those dog bones that is about to retire. I think I may try it just to see how it works out. I'll report back if I do.

I did one and liked it. Now I'm looking to do one in giraffe.


Working on this one in ivory but going with brass liners in order to save them. Next to bivine, ivory, and in camel bone.

Originally Posted by tintin

Is that dark piece water buffalo horn? that's huge! looks like a lot of material to work with. Is it thinner at the big end like a cow horn?

Yes it does thin out at the other end..The final colour of the scales would be a nice surprise ..

Originally Posted by karlej

The scales are giraffe bone from Austin Kennedy. Hard, dense and very small pores. You can add a bit of age to them by dyeing in tea. My experience with cow bone is it is much more porous. During polishing the color of the polish will fill the pores. I typically use a white cake on a stitched cotton wheel for the final polish. If you use something with a dark color like an ebony base on cow bone it will leave the black in the pores and look more like very old cow bone. Once it is in the pores you can't get it out so don't use something like knife makers green.

Karl, actually it is Camel bone vice giraffe. Very strong, polishes up nicely and makes fine looking scales. Just to clarify...

Originally Posted by ajkenne

Karl, actually it is Camel bone vice giraffe. Very strong, polishes up nicely and makes fine looking scales. Just to clarify...

I knew that. Getting old I guess. Hope you are well Austin.