Thread: First scales: me so stupid

Don't be so hard on yourself
That varnish has potential if you sand it smooth and apply another layer, sand that one smooth also, etc...

My first restore was full of flaws. You will be the only one who notices and each future project you do will be significantly better.

Keep it up.

Like everything else, it's a learning process. Wait until you decide to put in a third pin and then realize the tail won't clear the pin, and your scales are totally unusable. Lesson 1: Thin, small scale material splits easily, sometimes even when you drill. Always take great care in making your holes. Drill through both pieces at once, so you know they line up.

Impatience is a mother! It will kill you everytime..... its what usually happens to me when I try to hurry and get 'er done.

Ha! You call that stupity? You call those mistakes? I have screwed up a thousand times worse and felt moderately successful simply for what I had learned. You should now make a series of mental notes in the next re-handling of a razor. Plan out your steps (even write down an outline), lay out all the tools and materials you will need and armed with these invaluable lessons you've told us all about, do it again. I bet you a Euro that the next job will make you smile with sinful pride.

Brad

OK, you've all encouraged me... I'm giving another try, now that I have free afternoons in the office.

This time, I'll try with beech, it's easier to get for me, and if things get better, I'll go for a nicer one...

Thanks!

Originally Posted by jorgeovi

Lesson learned. It's a shame I always have to learn them the hard way.

you are not alone

OK, you convinced me. I must have a go myself. I make Scandi knives now and then and have been thinking of making some denim micarta for a knife. Think I'll make some thinner stuff and have a go on my Double Arrow!

Also the advice above about drilling before you shape the scales is good. Much easier to clamp down a square piece of material for drilling. I have an El Cheapo drill press that fits my normal household drill that I use for knifemaking so I hopefully can get the holes square!

Gareth

Jergeovi, I know Ipe is not the nicest figured wood to be had, but if you would like some more when you get ready to give it another go, I kept all the end pieces when I did my deck a few years ago. Probably have enough to rescale all the straights in Michigan. PM me if you want any and I'll whack off some for you on my bandsaw and send em over.

I'm getting ready to start some of my own.

We can do this!!

Marc

Thanks, Marc, you're very kind, If I can't get it locally I'll bug you for a couple of planks