Thread: Scales Question

Hello all, I've been cleaning this 7/8 Wostenholm and can't decide what the scales are made of. I originally thought plastic but the way it's pitting make it seem a little more organic. Could this be horn? I was planning on replacing them but after a little cleaning they've grown on me. I'm thinking maybe I can fill in the holes and a crack near the pin on the back with some epoxy?

Rub them hard with a rag, then smell them, no really, smell them!!!!!
I am going to guess from the pic you are going to smell a sharp burned electrical wire smell of Bakelite, or possibly the slightly off, meaty odor, of horn or bone. a camphor smell is celluloid, and well plastic smells like plastic...


PS: looking closer at the pic I would guess pressed horn

pressed horn?or bone

No smell after rubbing. I guess horn? Very nice. I found a thread a while back where someone repaired some horn scales with marine epoxy. Does that seem like a reasonable plan? Popping the pins will also allow me to do a better job on the blade.

Any thoughts on how old this razor is?

Age? No. Scales? Horn. Holes? Bug damage. Epoxy? Yes.