Thread: Buying new scales

Hey folks. I am really tempted to get into some straight razor restorations and have been reading up on the posts/wiki lots of cool stuff. However I have a question about where people are obtaining new replacement scales, and what things like "G10" are referring to? Are these being bought somewhere or homemade?

Cheers!

There are a few Dovo and TI scales available from the vendors (watch the sizing)
There are a few guys in the classifieds selling pre-made scales (watch the sizing)

But most of us that restore razors make our own...

I will let Mad Max the master of G-10 explain that to you....

Welcome to SRP!

G10 is a type of fiberglass that's nearly indestructible and requires special equipment to form into scales.

Perhaps you could check out Masecraft as a place to start for scale material, if you want to make your own.

If you want to have someone else make them for you, check out the Classifieds here under Member Services.

ps: and yes, Mad Max is the master of all G10 masters.

Very cool, thanks for the info! Unfortunately I have neither the equipment nor the facilities to make my own scales just yet, so I will have to start by buying them pre-made. I'd love to get into making my own at some point, though. In fact I can even say that I've decided to, just as soon as I find a workshop.

I did notice a few nice (and inexpensive) Dovo scales on ClassicShaving. The TI ones are just too expensive to start with, though. Supporting members would be even better, though, and more unique, so I'll keep my eye on the member services classifieds.

I've already purchased a few decent condition old razors off eBay that I plan to start my training with. I hope to clean up and use the existing scales whenever possible (so I've been buying only ones with intact scales), which leads me to another question: What sorts of compounds do people use/recommend for cleaning scales? i.e. removing the dirt and grime or stains that build up over time?

I don't have a buffing wheel (maybe a future investment), and I know about wet and dry sanding with various grits, but what about just simple cleaning, especially in intricate molded handles? I saw one post that recommended an electric toothbrush and toothpaste! I think I have an old one lying around actually so that's a good place to start. Just curious if there are any other miracle solutions like vinegar or borax. I also bought a tube of MAAS for the blades and someone mentioned this could work on the scales as well.

As far as equipment and facilities to make scales are concerned, you can make them just fine with the use of hand tools in your garage.

Look here

Originally Posted by Ookla

As far as equipment and facilities to make scales are concerned, you can make them just fine with the use of hand tools in your garage.

I don't even have that! Ah the joys of living in an apartment... :P

Originally Posted by chaiguy

I don't even have that! Ah the joys of living in an apartment... :P

I'm a college student in an apartment. I finished a set of scales last night.

Hobby Saw: $5
4oz Hammer: $5
Hand Drill: $10
Sandpaper: $7
Brass Rod: $1
Walnut Sheet: $5
Wire Cutters: $5
Super Glue: $2
Rubber Cement: $4
100ct Washers: $8

You are good to go. A pocket knife helps for cutting the rough shape, but it's not a necessity.

Oh, and I wrote a nice long explanation for another member about how to do the whole thing without tools, and I decided to add it to the wiki here...

I live in an apartment too so I hear where you're coming from. Here's my list of materials I use for restorations:

ball peen hammer, jeweler's anvil, dremel, sandpaper, TI scales from CS, and Dovo pins....that's it.

Yeah, it's not the fancy stuff the pros are using but you know what, it gets those beater razors in shape and onto my face.

Originally Posted by chaiguy

I don't even have that! Ah the joys of living in an apartment... :P

I'm currently working out of an outdoor storage closet off of the patio at my apartment. Shoehorned a small workbench in there and I'm good to go with my dremel & some hand tools. I'm thinking with a little creative shelving I might be able to squeeze a small drill press and a belt sander in there as well. Don't let lack of space hold you back!