Thread: Requesting advice about broken scale:

That seemed like a great idea until I tried to order them. Every one is "unavailable for ordering at this time". You guys must be breaking a lot of razors.

Probably a good thing as they don't fit every razor...

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Probably a good thing as they don't fit every razor...

+1. I bought a big lot of ~150 year old celluloid scales on ebay a year or two ago. (just about all gone now) They were a dream to work with when they fit, since they were ready to pin, but I've gone through quite a few razors that they simply didn't work with.

With any pre-made scales you'll generally do well with 4/8-6/8 hollow ground razors; especially your run of the mill round point like an off-the-shelf dovo. When you start looking at anything with a heavy grind, a bit natural smile, or a larger blade, they frequently won't work.

Edit #1 - Oh, and if you do go with the pre-made replacement scales, I can't recommend the pins that come with them. The preformed side just doesn't look right. The cost of a brass rod and some washers is nothing, and the results are usually FAR superior.

Edit #2 - Those really don't look like bone. I'd bet almost anything they're just bone colored plastic. In fact, the pin on there looks just like the pins I was talking about that come with Dovo replacement scales.

Put a hot pin to the inside and you'll know if it's bone or plastic.
And there's always the next hunting season, or you can grab a bone from the pet shop. Though everybody says it's really stinky to work with.

Originally Posted by simpleman

No Problem.

I look at it like this. Try to fix it and youll be out a few bucks and some time. If it works cool if not you dont loose much.

+1

If you can slide some protective plastic wrap between
the steel and the crack you can try some modern glues.
You do not want to glue the scales to the steel but glue
and reinforce only the scale.

I once fixed a Kirby Vacuum with layers of aluminum foil
and epoxy. Kids slurped up a bag of marbles and the
housing was cracked. Being poor I repaired it well
enough to get another ten years out of it. You might be able to
do the same thing. Multiple, very thin layers of foil and epoxy building it
up on the outside bit by bit. If done with care it might look
like it belongs.

Replacement scales might be in order. Scan the sponsors
web sites. I have seen scales of various quality
levels including fancy wood, bone and horn. The
inexpensive plastic ones are very serviceable.

The distance between pins is indeed longer than on my other razor, a Dovo Bismarck, so I scrounged a piece of purple heart to rip into 1/8" slabs, and ordered pins and washers. I like the idea of brass liners and sleeved pins for some reason, so I'll see if I can find shim stock and tubing as well. If I'm not embarrassed by the results I'll post a pic. And perhaps try again with bone.

Interesting aside: As I was typing this, a mink ran through the snow past my window with a red squirrel in its mouth.

The problem seems to have been that the original pivot pin was too tight. As the razor is opened, I can see the scales spreading and tightening, and something had to give.

Thanks for all the advice and sources. Hope this doesn't turn into a new hobby, that's all I need.

[QUOTE=Oblio13;733582]
The problem seems to have been that the original pivot pin was too tight. As the razor is opened, I can see the scales spreading and tightening, and something had to give.
QUOTE]


Nope, that is the way they work,,, The tang is at an angle hence the wedge being a wedge and not a spacer...
Over-tightening the pins can crack the scales by tightening the solid head that we see in your pic...These pins (What VeeDub pointed out) tighten form the back side only most Vintage pins tighten from both sides...
The scales do "Flex" and should flex otherwise you built a knife
Be very careful when using Liners as most people will unbalance the razor..

There is a ton of info about how to build them in the Workshop Sticky...

I think I've read almost all the workshop stickies. The one about wedges alone probably saved the skin on my fingertips.

Anyone got a source for just a few micro-fasteners? I'd like to use them for fitting, but the only places I can find online sell them in big lots.