I've got an old Joseph Elliot's Best Silver Steel razor, it appears that it was an old axe that got ground down to a singing edge (I think, because some of the trade mark is missing), barber's notch the whole bit. I've been in love with this razor since I bought it, it was the first one I ever took to my face. But the scales are shot! They're so loose they nick the blade if I'm not careful when I close it up.

So the other day I took the initiative to contact a wood working artist I came to know from the local area. So far my ideas were to make the scales look like an eagle feather, or to maybe somehow incorporate the bird's head or claws into the mix. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Also, how might I go about fastening the blade to the scales? I was thinking small screw and bolt with locktite?