Thread: Cracked Scales

I'm a new member in the Straight razor community i have 6 razors now. 3 belonging to my family. One of the ones belonging to my family has a crack on the scales. I've read that epoxy can repair them or should I just try my luck at making a set.

Andrew

First of all, welcome to SRP. If you decide to make a set of scales, search the threads for tips. Gssixgun in particular, is a world of information in the area. As far as whether or not it's worth trying to repair, it would be helpful if you could post photos. Hope you're enjoying your shaves!

Here is a pic of the scale.

I was wondering also how does one make the nice plastic/epoxy scales?

PS. i'll never go back to safety saving... unless i'm travelling

Unfortunately that's a very bad crack. You could try to use some epoxy to glue it together and then use some fine sandpaper to remove the excess glue and make it somewhat flush looking. Polish it back up with some high grit sandpaper and or buffer but it will always show and chances of it eventually cracking again are pretty real.

As to making your own set of scales. The wiki has some nice tutorials and answers

Gorgeous set of scales, what a shame --

That said, what about lining them with some sheet metal? very thin aluminum maybe, something that would go well with the bolsters but not interfere too much with the great scales..

Then, although the repaired crack might be visible, you know its not going to break again

Ouch! Some time ago, I posted pics of a razor that wasn't nearly as bad and the overwhelming feedback I got was that replacement was the only option. If you're not in a hurry, you might watch abay for an identical razor with an irreparable blade that you can pick up cheap. I've been looking for about a year, now.

After taking the advice from Undream TY btw. I ended up using Gorilla Glue and bonded it and let it set for 18 hours.

I'd like to post the follow up pics of the 25$ razor I bought at the flea market here in Moncton, NB Canada.

I should have taken before pics but here are the after. I still need to get a dremel and fine buff out a few small imperfections on the blade.

I put 4 hours into the restoration.

Again thank you all for your help and suggestions.



Andrew

If you have been reading much, you should expect this next question/comment: How does it shave?

I have tried just about every glue out there, and have never had any hold, well hold good enough to call it repaired, other than as Brad outlined by using liners....
I got one to hold pretty good with a drop of acetone...

Now if those are plastic, your golden but they look like celluloid...

I did have some hold with the "Kick-Ass Sticky" glue for about a week once, but once I messed with it enough they came right back apart...

I just got done honing, stroping and shaving and I must say its best shave of my razors as of yet.

The scales have since cracked a 2nd time on the top pivot on the opposing side. I've glued it and polished it like I did on the first.

As far as I can tell its holding and is quite sturdy considering the cracks.

I figure I'll eventually have to replace them... which leads me to my next question... What is better wood or synthetic? And where can you get the synthetic material to make them. I read up on the making scales and i'm going to try my first set of wood scales for a old straight razor that belonged to my great-grandfather. I'll post pics when i get them done.

Andrew