Thread: Lined scales and thrust washers?

Fact: Normal scale assembly=washer, scale, washer, blade, washer, scale, washer--all held together by a peened over pin.

Question: If using scales that are lined with brass (or other metal) for instance, is it recommended to still use the interior "thrust" washers between scale backing and blade?

Part of my thinking says, "yes-duh." Part of my thinking says, "but you don't want to get the scales to wide." Then a third personality says, "So use three pins. That's simple!"

Yes, I have issues.

That is going to be the least of the problems with using metal liners on scales

Balance.
Weight
Keeping them on a reverse curve
If no reverse curve then a spacer rather than wedge
If a spacer then they loosen very fast
If a washer then they loosen very fast
If no washer then the wear the razor very fast
Maybe a nylon washer

Muhahahaha can ya tell I have thought about this a bit and tried some fun stuff

Originally Posted by gssixgun

That is going to be the least of the problems with using metal liners on scales...

Balance/Weight

Keeping them on a reverse curve

If no reverse curve then a spacer rather than wedge

If a spacer then they loosen very fast

If a washer then they loosen very fast

If no washer then the wear the razor very fast

Maybe a nylon washer


Make them stop! Make the voices stop!

Heheheh. Lots of variables. Currently (ha) thinking brass lined wooden scales with a spacer at one end and thrust washers on the other, with a 3pin system to keep down on the blade wear. Looking at doing this with a 5/8" Wostenholm wedge, (see here http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...fo-please.html ) and hoping (just hoping) that the weight of the wedge will balance out the weight of the scales. If not I still think the scales will look fantastic if they come out the way they are in my head.

I'll find a larger/heavier blade to pair them with, or something like the S shaped Double Duck I saw last weekend that will make for a nice pretty piece to show off. I'm not really a fan for doing things just for looks, but if they turn out THAT heavy it won't be a total loss.

Then there's always the possibility of dropping the linings.

Cool thing is that if you don't like it, you can put another set of scales on the blade. You are never stuck with a particular set of scales. Heck, I've even switched scales on a couple razors that I thought would look better on the other & they did! It was an opportunity to clean everything up well too!