Well here is my first set of horn scales I have ever made.Attachment 355492
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Well here is my first set of horn scales I have ever made.Attachment 355492
I like the shape.
Those look great!
I like how the scales are translucent. You must have thinned them out to get that.
Please provide a pic that shows their thickness.
They were to thin one of them broke when I was pinning the razor yesterday. Talk about frustrating.
I shaved them down to .080
That can happen even if the scales aren't too thin. Pinning is a skill that is deceptively harder than it seems.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cattleman02
Some things to master with pinning:
1)use a light hammer, tap lightly more times, as a rule of thumb tap no harder than you can tap your knuckle.
2) make sure the pin is just long enough. If it is too long it will bend. This can cause cracks or breaks and can make the scales offset and the blade not center well. Rule of thumb here is cut the top side with a pair of side cutters as close to the collar as possible. It should just barely stick up above the collar. It will seem too short but, believe it or not, that is the right length.
3)some people peen one side first and cut the other side. I have a pinning block with a pin sized hole that the pin just fits in, pin the other side, then flip, cut the excess and peen the second side. Either way works well but the first way conserves a hair more of the pin stock.
Good eyesight and hand coordination always helps a great deal. How do I know this? I have ruined a scale or two, maybe three, by not paying attention and visually lining up things. I get in a hurry.Quote:
Originally Posted by PaulFLUS
Beveling the hole, and soaking in oil beforehand, helps too.
.080 is what I normally shoot for in a finished set.
I was contemplating outing them first but wasn't sure.
How long should I soak new scales, and how long for old scales?
Not sure you can soak them too long. I've never soaked any but I doubt they would absorb so much they become mushy/rubbery.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cattleman02
Overnight should be fine though.
A lot of people say weeks. I normally soak them for several days to maybe a week but not weeks. New horn shouldn't need too much soaking time. Remember that when we refer to "old" horn it is sometimes 100-175 years old without any hydration rather than rinse water and shaving cream/soap. Often that does more to dry them than hydrate. That's why it needs more time.
Old horn scales can have some delaminating or maybe deep scratch marks and dings etc from getting knocked around over the years. So I give old scales a good sanding back before soaking in neatsfoot oil for a week or so.
Never discard your old scales. Soak the whole razor in oil, before disassembling. It'll save u from breaking them.
Most scales can be salvaged and restored to like new. At least IMHO. :shrug:
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What about warped scales soak in oil disassemble steam and press between to flat surfaces and clamp??
Soak last. And I don't usually steam. I use a hair straightener instead, or you can also use 2 cast iron skillets or something similar.
I use a hard flat surface ( countertop ) and a clothes iron at med. high heat. Flipping and heating both sides till their pliable/soft. Place something on top of them to keep flat till cool. Repeat if necessary.
