Thread: Making or buying scales

I'm in the process of restoring two blades. I'm still buffing and will soon decide to send them out for honing or to try my hand at honing. I'm tempted to do it myself.

I will soon have to decide what to do about scales.

Buy or make?

Do I buy ready-made scales and if so, from whom?
Do I buy material like bone or horn and make the scales and if so, from whom? I haven't been able to find a supplier of either material in acceptable sizes.
Or do I go synthetic and make micarta scales?

I'm also thinking about using some sort of tensioning bolt instead of pins. Any advice?

If you decide to make the scales yourself i would suggest starting with wood.
Its fairly easy to do and probably cheaper to ruin, witch you will probably do with one of the first anyway

There is a great amount of shop wisdom in the SRP Restore Wiki here:
Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Wiki
Then again, you could easily use the SRP search function to get to one of the many threads answering your questions. Just use one question at a time.
Respectfully
~Richard

I just learned that G10 is Micarta and is available through Radio Shack and a number of knife making sites. Not too expensive, and yes, I'll probably ruin some.

I have been making my own scales for a few weeks now. You can check out my previous posts to see my evolution from Rookie to Plebe. Very satisfying hobby.

Originally Posted by souschefdude

I have been making my own scales for a few weeks now. You can check out my previous posts to see my evolution from Rookie to Plebe. Very satisfying hobby.

Hi, Soushefdude:

I checked out your threads. Nice work on those blades and scales. I'd be happy to do as well. Thanks for the advice.

If you buy a dremel, make sure you plug it in and turn it on at the store before buying it. Check for 'wobble' at the tip. Pick the one with the least, if possible.

Hey,

Making scales is a lot of fun, for sure. If you wan't to take a look at buying, and shaping for practice....then check out the Gentlemen's Best website. They have a variety of styles and sizes. You can purchase them rough, very inexpensively, where you do all the finishing and buffing....OR, for an extra fee, they will do everything for you and ship the finished scales out.

They also take email diagrams of custom models for you, and will cut them out as per your specs.


Have fun,

Nathan

Originally Posted by souschefdude

If you buy a dremel, make sure you plug it in and turn it on at the store before buying it. Check for 'wobble' at the tip. Pick the one with the least, if possible.

I went threw about 6 different ones till I got one with just a little wobble... Not a fun thing to deal with. One day I'll look into the big ones (or steel my wifes variable speed wall monted beastie...)