Thread: Scales: thick and heavy???

Usually ,but not always when people start out making custom scales they a generally much thicker than they need to be because the maker lacks the skills or confidence to have them them turn out as they should be,which is to compliment the blade in looks and balance which usually requires the scales to be on the thin side.
1/8" of an inch is about as thick as you want them to go. this question has come up a fair bit from time to time and this explanation was given to me by Bill Ellis when I started making them a while back ,and with a few sets under my belt now I`m inclined to agree with him.
Having said all that ,I guess it boils down to personal preference
Kind regards Peter

i have gone both routes. my 1st few sets were thin, around1/32-1/16 inch. then i met spazola, and he had some scales that were really thick. i thought that they looked terrific. so i made a few of those and love them. however i am a fan both ways. the thinner scales were a pain to do by hand with a file and sandpaper, but probably not to bad with a sander. the thicker ones were fine and a lot quicker. just try some both ways and see what you like.

btw, i think someone commented that my thicker bloodwood scales looked like 'coffee table' size. i shaved with this last night and love these scales.

vgod

I'll throw my opinion in the pot I suppose. As many guys have said, yes it has a lot to do with what you like the look and feel of.

There is also the matter of the spacer. If you have a tapered spacer then your scale material will need to be thin enough to allow flexion to come back together for pinning, but also will need to be strong enough to not snap. If you use a flat spacer, then I think it matters less. Which should you use? Your call, both have their place. I'm still figuring out which I like.

As for balance, I do think it has a role to play. When scales are really too heavy- you will know it. With that being said, I think it is harder to make scales with bad balance than to just eyeball things and have the balance turn out well. I take it into account but only as a minor thought. It is common sense really in what will be extremely heavy and what won't be.

So with all of that being said, I think that yes, scales can only be so thick or thin and remain "good" functionally. I prefer scales maybe slightly less than 1/8" thick I suppose, but it depends on the style of blade and the look you want. The material you use also has a big impact on what thickness will look good.

I have to say I appreciate the lightness of my Revisor in comparison with my Wapi which is like shving with a boat anchor at one end. If you can find a light weight wood that won't split too easily, that would proably be a good solution. As for grooving the middle and leaving the other side closed which I think I understood you to say you were considering, I would think you'd want both sides open to allow for better drying. I hope you post pictures when you're done.

I like to make thicker scales for my razors but I make them out of wood so they're not heavy.