Thread: scales

Just thought I`d post these pics for posterity as this is the second set I have made
The first set were exactly the same ,(nearly) I had every thing ready to go to pin ,as I placed the scales on the small block of steel I use as an anvil for this process I noticed a very fine hair line from the pivot collar to the edge. Being a burl there are a lot of cracks and fractures.
I knew exactly what would happen as soon as I tapped the pin. I grabbed a loupe to verify my suspicions ,calmly disassembled the razor ,snapped both the scales in half and chucked the bits in the bin and started on another set .
Just in case here they are
The knife I finished off this morning,thought someone may be interested
The scales for the razor are brigalo burl the knife the handle is goat horn and red deer antler the steel is ats 34 hardened to 63 RC .not really happy with the knife either,the silver soldering is not perfect ,(one little pin hole),I know its there so that is the first thing I look at
Kind regards Peter

Peter:

I think the results look great. You should feel very satisfied with them even if they are not perfect.

Hand made results take getting used to. I also see the imperfections in my own work first but I am learning to take these imperfections as motivation to improve the techniques and process not as failures. It is nearly impossible to get perfect results. There are always random elements out of control, like natural weakness in the materials.

The hairline crack in the scales could have been fixed by using a very thin Cyano-Acrylate glue. Wood turners use it to mend hairline cracks in their piece. Available in woodworking supplies. LeeValley has it.

It is extremely thin and will wick into tiny cracks. It is stronger than the wood so the fix is stronger than the original material. Apply it from the inside of the scales if the crack goes all the way through. If not then from the outside but then sand off any CA on the surface.

I too have destroyed work pieces when I noticed screwups only to regret it later when I figured out how they could have been fixed without the fix being apparent or affecting the longevity of the work.

Looking good! I really like the wood that you have selected for the razor scales. The knife is looking pretty good also.
let us know how everything works out.