Techniques for stabilizing cracks in scales?

Hello everyone,

I am rather new to straight razors in general, but I love fixing and fiddling with things and SEs are the new best thing! :) Anyway, I have been fortunate to pick up several really cheap ones in various local shops. Nothing spectacular, but worth practicing on I think.

The most common problems are:

Cracks in the scales, some not completely through, some completely through, and some complete breaks.

The blade moving a little on the pin when closed, but tight when open. I've only noticed this on wedges.

I don't think I can fix the looseness without taking apart the razor, and I do not know how to do that right yet nor do I know how to rescale.

So moving on, I figure the best place to start is to learn how to fix the scales so that they preserve their structural integrity and prevent further breaks. So far I've considered super glue, but I do not know of it's reactiveness to various materials such as horn, bone, celluloid. If you have any advice I'd love to know

Thank you!

You should be able to tighten loose scales easily by gently hammering on one side of the pivot pin while holding the other side against an anvil, side of a hammer or other hard surface. Try giving a few taps on one side and then turn it over and do the same on the other. Be gentle -- no more force than you would apply to your own finger. That should tighten the pin up. As for fixing broken scales, I don't think it's worth the trouble unless they are mighty special (tortoise, ivory, sterling silver). Better in my opinion to just replace them. If they are of a precious material, I'd epoxy them to a thin backing material, like sheet brass.

Thanks for the reply Jim, or is it Kyle? I'll go with Jim. The tapping did make a difference, that was a good tip.

I thought I might get that, that it's not worth repairing scales. I suppose I can try replacing the scales with wood. Is there a supplier for premade scales of other materials around online? How does one go about taking off the pins and everything? I imagine they have to be cut?

Baran,
Classicshaving.com sells replacement scales as well as pin kits. Should be pretty simple once you have all the supplies.

http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/523001.htm

I'll let other tackle how you go about removing the pins, but I wouldn't think it matters that much, since both the pins and existing scales are garbage anyhow.

Mark

If you start talking about wanting to replace scales, etc. I'd suggest you get Lynn's straight razor DVD and Bill Ellis's restoration CD. You'll see methods and suggested tools.

Well..........

If you head towards Cambridge, I could meet you somewhere and show you how to fix the scales. Only for the cost of a cup of coffee.........(that means the actual coffee, not the money value)

:shrug:

C utz

Thanks for the link, I think I might try to make some of my own scales and just buy pins.

I had seen those dvds, I didn't know Lynn's had anything on repairing on it. The other one I just hadn't picked up yet.

Haha C utz, I might just take you up on that some time. I am back at the south shore every couple of months, and I'm sure some hands on help would be great. Now.. are we talking 7-11 coffee or starbucks grande frappomochosupachino? ;p

I'm kidding!

I'm easy.....black coffee.
Pretty much anything that is not burnt :(

Let me know!

C utz