Thread: Importance of Sizing Scales to Blade

I was fortunate enough to buy Glen's bahama kama last week. Great razor, and the scales are gorgeous and the acrylic feels just great in the hands.

One feature of Glen's work really struck me - the new scales were perfectly sized and weighted to the blade. This takes extra time and care I am sure, but it makes a huge difference in the experience, because if the scales are perfectly weighted and sized to the blade, and the right amount of monkey tale protrudes out the back, it just feels right when you hold it, shave with it, strop it, hone it, etc. When the scales are more "one size fits all" they really don't feel right.

So kudos to Glen for minding the details that really matter.

just sounds like sense and talent

Thanks for bringing this up. I have noticed with some of the razors I have rescaled that it seems that balance is difficult to achieve. Because the lighter razor in my mind need lighter scales. Same for heavier blades, but I really struggle because the large chopper type blades seem hardest and the last two I have done were in Faux tortoise which I guess is just some type of polymer. The woods I have used also are sometimes too heavy for the lighter blades, yet too light for the large blades. Not to digress, but I wish one of the pros here would give kind of a tutorial on what types of material balance well with certain types/grinds/sizes. Bone seem to be universal if the old makers are considered to be well balanced, but they didn't have the options we have today and perhaps one of the pros could elaborate so we newbies can learn form their example.

Speaking of balance where should the balance point be if the razor is fully opened in a straight line. The reason that I ask this is that when you use the razor you have it folded thus the center of gravity is now in a different place.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally Posted by riooso

Speaking of balance where should the balance point be if the razor is fully opened in a straight line. The reason that I ask this is that when you use the razor you have it folded thus the center of gravity is now in a different place.

Thanks,
Richard

I like my razors to balance on the tang , close to the mid-point between the blade and the pivot hole . But anywhere on the tang works for me .

You can adjust the balance through careful choice of wedge material & size. A lot of the old chopper blades had a lead wedge & i believe it was to provide balance. Scale material & thickness obviously plays a role too.