If you need wood blanks for scales.
If anyone wants to make their own scales but does not have the tools to resaw and plane their own wood or can't find a source for suitable blanks then I can provide some in small quantities. The woods are from my stock, picked for their grain and color for my own use.
If this fits your bill then thank Joe Chandler. Until he brought this problem to my attention I did not even consider it as a hurdle to scale making. Trying to locate a source I realized that what is available is not aimed at straight razor scales. I guess there is not enough demand yet.
All the blanks are going to be about 5/32" +- a smidgen and 1 1/8" x 6 1/4". These should be more than big enough to scale the largest standard blade. You will have enough wiggle room in all dimensions. A set contains two blanks of which none are spare.
The faces are going to be planed and the sides rough cut on a table saw or a band saw.
For the perfectionists out there who strive to attain a higher order (read if you are anal) I can provide facing grain sets for an extra $5. These are pieces that were facing each other before resawing and planing. What this gives is an almost identical grain pattern for both scale pieces. If you do your shaping right then the razor will have matching grain pattern on both sides. Some woods don't have a distinct grain pattern so it won't make much difference. Only offered to those that really insist.
Shipping is $5 for Canada and US. I can ship 4 sets in a buble envelope for the same price.
Quick price chart: Facing grain add $5 if you really want it for all except African Ebony. For that wood the facing grain set will cost you an extra $20. Why, because it is very black making it very difficult to see the grain. Matching it takes an extra effort and hence the extra cost.
These woods I stock for myself so can probably ship the next day. If I am out I will let you know and restock within a day or two.
Cocobolo - $10 (dark brown/black)
Kingwood - $8 (brown/violet)
Purpleheart - $8 (purple/burgundy)
Yellowheart - $8 (bright yellow)
African Padauk - $8 (bright orange)
These I don't stock but would not mind getting some so if you ask I might go and buy them.
Bloodwood - $10 (dark red)
Gabon Ebony - $20 (dark black ;))
Ideally sand the wood to at least 1200 or 1500 if you want to bring out the beauty of the grain. Many wood grains show perlescense when sanded to this high a grit. I also like to choose my wood specifically for this perlescent quality so if you follow this advice you may be pleasantly surprised by grain's play in the light.
Note on Cocobolo, its dust is found to be a serious irritant and lung clogger. The wood is very oily. So in Bill's words wear a dust mask if cocobolo gets within a two feet of sandpaper. Other than that it is a great wood for scales and the easiest one to finish for beginners because other than sanding and buffing no other finish is required.
The rest need some form of sealer. My preference is Polimerized Tung Oil Sealer. It is a penetrating sealer and brings out the rich color and grain of the wood like no other finish. I apply it after sanding the wood up to 220 to 400 grit. Then when it dries sand to 1000 and apply another coat. Then sand to 2000 and buff. May need more coats depending on the wood.
A good high gloss finish is Cyano Acrylate or CA or crazy glue. Sanded and buffed it has a clear mirror finish. You still have to sand the wood to a high grit and apply several coats of CA with light sanding between coats. I like to use both. Seal first to bring out the color and grain, sand then apply CA for a high gloss, durable finish.
I can also provide Snakewood which is as expensive :eek: as it is beautiful. If enough people are interested (10 sets or more) I'll consider getting some and resawing it. Expect the cost to be in the $40 to $50 dollar range per set. Can't know exactly until I buy it and resaw it and see the yield.