Thread: wedge shape and scale fit

Does the wedge for the scales have to be a "wedge" or can it be square? Im trying to fit my scales and was wondering if it needed to be a wedge or just more of a spacer.

EDIT**** I'll leave the post below in tact, but it's completely wrong. My next post in the thread explains it.


I've got a total of 7 razors at this point, and only two of them had an actual "wedge" wedge. The others all have just a spacer.


Actually, they've all got a spacer except one, because the one I just rescaled got a home made "square" spacer.

Ahhhhhhhh how to explain this one,,,,

No they do not HAVE to be a wedge...

But if you look at almost every single vintage razor made, guess what you will find???? Yep a wedge shape...

The scales have to flex when you open and close the razor if the scales are bowed a tiny bit it allows this to happen and not stress the pins....
The bowed shape of the scales are stronger... and a bow allows the razor to open and close with more clearance.... Those are all reasons to give it a "wedgie"

Using newer and stronger materials today then way back when, allows more variation in some of these old rules...

If you decide to wedge it, the general rule of thumb is to start with material about 1/2 the thickness of the tang and then give it a wedge shape and fit from there...

I've often wondered why few of the custom rescales I've seen have a wedge shaped spacer and most don't. Then I read someone post that they should all have one but I know that some of the custom razors I've seen also don't and those guys could easily wedge them if it was that important and I know they are experts. Your point about improved materials makes sense. Thanks for the info.

Hey Jimmy BTW this razor has a wedge hehehehe

http://straightrazorpalace.com/galle...s-acrylic.html


It doesn't take much either they dont have to be extreme just a little will do...

Indeed it does Glen and a great job you did on it.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

....if you look at almost every single vintage razor made, guess what you will find???? Yep a wedge shape...

I was really questioning this last night, but I kept my mouth shut until I could get home an check.

Sure enough, all of those wedges that I thought were "square," are in fact wedge shaped.

It's very subtle, and one one of them I was only able to tell it was wedged by comparing it to something I knew to be square.



Oh well, I've been wrong before; I'll be wrong again.

I just got my first razor in the mail with a wedge spacer, and I am as of direct a big fan of the wedge!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Ahhhhhhhh how to explain this one,,,,

No they do not HAVE to be a wedge...

But if you look at almost every single vintage razor made, guess what you will find???? Yep a wedge shape...

The scales have to flex when you open and close the razor if the scales are bowed a tiny bit it allows this to happen and not stress the pins....
The bowed shape of the scales are stronger... and a bow allows the razor to open and close with more clearance.... Those are all reasons to give it a "wedgie"

Using newer and stronger materials today then way back when, allows more variation in some of these old rules...

If you decide to wedge it, the general rule of thumb is to start with material about 1/2 the thickness of the tang and then give it a wedge shape and fit from there...

This is a perfect representation of the distinction between craftsmanship and "good enough." Thanks for the constant reminder of how it should be done.