Thread: I need scales for a Case Red Imp Wedge #132

Found this blade today for $5, unfortunately one of the red scales is broke in half. I am new to blade restoration and wonder if replacement scales that look similar are available? Or can the celluloid be bonded back together at the break? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Mark

Originally Posted by mkevenson

Found this blade today for $5, unfortunately one of the red scales is broke in half. I am new to blade restoration and wonder if replacement scales that look similar are available? Or can the celluloid be bonded back together at the break? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Mark

you could probably do something out of red micarta if they were a solid red, or a red acrylic if they were transparent red... or you could go for a complete rescale.... don't think you'll be able to bond the celluloid

Thanks, after doing some research on the blade, apparently it was made by Case for import to South America between 1955-1962. " A line of lesser quality razors" according to Sargent's American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors 3rd edition1992. Might not be worth too much investment of time or money. Perhaps I can find some suitable scales and get an edge on the blade. A new project! I love a challenge.

Originally Posted by mkevenson

Thanks, after doing some research on the blade, apparently it was made by Case for import to South America between 1955-1962. " A line of lesser quality razors" according to Sargent's American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors 3rd edition1992. Might not be worth too much investment of time or money. Perhaps I can find some suitable scales and get an edge on the blade. A new project! I love a challenge.

Well I'm not an expert, but I think that you still have a good razor that will be worth the trouble. It wouldn't be to hard to rescale it, and you'd probably get years of use from it.

Mark,

don't always believe what you read. This is a great little bugger. I've honed and restored many of the Red Imps and the 32 Wedge made by case impresses me every time I do shave with it. If you can get one at a reasonable price like you did then consider yourself lucky. They usually go for 40.00 to $50.00 used on the Flea Bay and this doesn't always guarantee for it to be immaculate. I loved it so much I had to get myself one too.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Mark,

don't always believe what you read. This is a great little bugger. I've honed and restored many of the Red Imps and the 32 Wedge made by case impresses me every time I do shave with it. If you can get one at a reasonable price like you did then consider yourself lucky. They usually go for 40.00 to $50.00 used on the Flea Bay and this doesn't always guarantee for it to be immaculate. I loved it so much I had to get myself one too.

Thank's for the encouraging words. Now I am wondering where to get scales. Should I send it out or try removing old and putting new on myself. Never have rescaled a blade. Of course until recently I never honed a razor either and based on todays shave with my Tennis that I honed yesteday, I think I am getting ok at it. I did order a cd from Bill Ellis on restoration and think I will give it a try. The original scales are opaque red and would be neat to try and get the same color.

Mark

You have several options. You can easily try and do it yourself. Your best bet is to keep looking for another beat up Case red imp since it's that particular red color with the littile marking on the scales you want. Replacing the scales will need some know how on how to peen everything back. Again, doable if you're handy. Just ask for advise if needed.
Plenty of members that will try and help.

The   has a lot of information about scale restorations.

You can also try and find yourself some red looking acrylic that closely matches the original color. Not easy to find by doable. You'll need to cut the scales out of the material, sand, polish, drill holes and peen it all together. If you replicate the originals you can even reuse the existing wedge.

Another option is to send your razor out to any of the restorers that you will find in the classifieds or around the forum.

If I were you, I'd go for the "make your own scales" option. While I totally agree that Case razors are amazing blades (I have a 132 and love it), their scales have a tendency to shrink and the glue on the wedge tends to totally lose it's grip. While you may be able to get a good set of scales off another blade, you may end up with bad ones.

The only real reason to find original scales is because some people collect Case razors (including the Imp's), so there may be some value in having originals. The again, I suppose even if you were to find scales off another 132, they would not be original to your razor...

Yea, I'd say you should just make your own.

Classicshaving.com also sells Dovo and TI replacement scales that should fit any 4,5,6 /8ths blades.The dovo micarta ones run like 12 bucks. Its on their webpage under "Theirs-Issard Accessories" for the TI ones and "Display and restoration" for the Dovo scales. I called them and the lady was very helpful, saying that they should fit all sizes of razors, and if not, just send it back. You will need to drill the hole for the pivot pin though.