Dovo/Thiers-Issard Replacement Scales

Hi, I'm in the process of restoring a few razors that have badly damaged scales and I would like to replace them. I don't have access to the tools or materials necessary to make my own scales, so I'm considering purchasing some Dovo or Thiers-Issard replacement scales from ClassicShaving.com.

I'd like to know if anyone has an opinion of, or experience with these replacement scales. Do you think they are a good deal? The prices seem a little steep for anything other than the "synthetic" scales. ClassicShaving describes them as not being pre-drilled. However, in the pictures of the Dovo scales the holes for the razor look like they are pre-drilled. Can anyone tell me which way is true?

Also, if anyone has any recommendations for other ways to acquire pre-made, pre-drilled scales I would very much appreciate the input. Thanks a lot!

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Originally Posted by smity83

I'd like to know if anyone has an opinion of, or experience with these replacement scales. Do you think they are a good deal? The prices seem a little steep for anything other than the "synthetic" scales. ClassicShaving describes them as not being pre-drilled. However, in the pictures of the Dovo scales the holes for the razor look like they are pre-drilled. Can anyone tell me which way is true?

Also, if anyone has any recommendations for other ways to acquire pre-made, pre-drilled scales I would very much appreciate the input. Thanks a lot!

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Hello. My experience with CS has been great.

I've purchased the Dovo red pakkawood and the Tortoise imitation replacement scales and they look great and gove an entire new look to the razor. These didn't have the holes drilled, but it's easy to drill them.

If you want other source for replacement scales, th InvisibleEdge (www.invisibleedge.co.uk. Free web site hosted by Freeola.com) also has some. I've also bought some and they are also good.

If you want fancier scales, contact some of the users here on SRP that make scales.

I hope I helped.

THe DOVO Genuine Ebony Replacement Razor Handle is pre-dilled. I just installed a flea-market blade in that one.

Does it take a drill press to drill the holes correctly for the scale sets without holes?

CS is a very reputable site.That being said. you would make your money go much further if you had oldbldes make you a set of scales. There is nothing you can dream of that he can't make and he is very affordable.To top it all off, he is a great guy. Drop him a PM,,,you won't be sorry. Look around the gallery and you will see some of his work. Good luck.

this was my question as well, i just yoinked a wade & butcher off of ebay. when i was cleaning it up...
flip over and scale break :gaah: (already cracked badly). guess my only question now is where do i get the pin to put in the hole that i drill?

If you order from CS, you will likely get a pin with the scales. I've ordered several from them and this was the case.

The wiki here has some info on re-pinning otherwise. here's one link Illustrated Guide to Un-pinning and Re-pinning - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The Dovo replacement scales I got (ebony) turned out to be a waste of money. I thought they would be ready for assembly, but that was not the case. I think the quality control issues that people are spotting recently in new razors are definitely present in the scales too.

Mine came pre-drilled, with hardware and with the wedge spacer already pinned in place, so that was pretty good. However, the wood was unfinished, and was sanded down only, I would guess, to about 220 grit, so it was pretty rough-and-ready looking. It was a very pleasant surprise to see how beautiful the wood actually is once I had sanded up through a progression to 1500 grit. But the worst thing about these scales was the fact that they were uneven. When I pinned the razor in place, and stood it in the scales, it leaned heavily to one side and tended to fall over. I have since sanded them pretty much level, but they still don't look perfect. And, having sanded out the imperfections, I still have to finish the wood (I think probably with tung oil).

All in all, given the very reasonable prices of 1/8" thick exotic hardwoods, and the amount of effort I spent correcting the defects in these scales, it would have been far more productive (and satisfying) to make my own wood blanks and turn them into the scales I want ... which is what I am now doing. :)