Thread: Leather scales?

I say someone (not it!) does some figuring or design work on leather and use THAT of scales........

(just thinkin')

C utz

Why not just make them out of some hard readily available material (wood, micarta, various synthetics) and stretch and adhesive a nice thin piece of leather over the contours of the base material since leather is form fitting.

Seems like the beeswax method is limited to squared off edge, since if you tried to contour the scales you would loose the leather grain and thus any good reason to use the leather in the first place.

And I've heard that long term storage of carbon steel in contact with leather can corrode the blade because of the trace amounts of tannic acid in the leather. But that may be a moot point since you coated them in beeswax.

I just happened upon this thread, and thought you guys might be interested in what the poster said:

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showp...4&postcount=25

You know, I just saw that post and realized I have a set of those. They are strange scales. I could never figure out what they were made of. They are slightly warped anyway. No liner or anything though. Very stiff too. I kind of hate the way they feel and look. Just not my thing.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

You know, I just saw that post and realized I have a set of those. They are strange scales. I could never figure out what they were made of. They are slightly warped anyway. No liner or anything though. Very stiff too. I kind of hate the way they feel and look. Just not my thing.

It wouldn't be a Wm. Elliot No 55 by any chance, I have one with a set of scales that seems to be leather, they are very stiff, no liner and pretty ugly too!

Originally Posted by bjorn

It wouldn't be a Wm. Elliot No 55 by any chance, I have one with a set of scales that seems to be leather, they are very stiff, no liner and pretty ugly too!

No, I don't think so. I took those things off pretty quick! They are sitting in a drawer I think, but I don't remember what they were originally on.

Not sure if this has been tried but armor used to be made of leather. This link http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Mediev...r_Improved.htm tells how to water harden it. If it can be used as armor it should handle being scale material. If I have time this weekend I may give it a go.

Bob

Just an update:

I am still working on them, but after my little "fubar" with a razor, its hard to work with anything small. Finger is healing well, so I should have these scales done by this time next week.

Windcalmer,
Are you going to use two, or three pins? A third "Pin through a Post" would definitely help matters.

I was thinking more two pins, but I think you may be right about doing three. That would take some of the "???" out of this idea.

I got to do some work on them tonight for the first time since I cut the crap out of my finger. Now I can hold stuff and control it even with the bandage on. LOL So maybe i will be able to get this thing done this weekend. Which brings me to my next question fo you fine gentlemen. ((Please see below))


BTW, what is the best way to jig up a blade for polishing and sanding? I.E. How do you not mess up the edge, and at the same time not turn your fingers into escallope.