Thread: Help with Ivory Scales!

I've never worked in ivory before, but I have a set of scales I'm putting together. Do I want to have the scales fork out from the wedge end, so that I have to push them together at the pivot end for resistance, like I would wood? Or not have them fork because their ivory?

The forking scales fork because of the "wedge" in the forking wedge.. and yes all the forking old forking Ivory scales do fork...

Seriously though, are these real Ivory or a Fossilized Mammoth Ivory or something else that might not flex, because they will have to flex or you are making a knife , not a razor..

LMAO ok I'm gonna fork those scales then, and I'll post pictures so you all can see my forking skills

Well we certainly hope to see pics of the forking scales, it would be rather forking inconsiderate, of you to ask a forking question, then forget to show us the forking outcome...

yeah, fork that!

Fork the forking forkers!

But how much of a wedgie are you giving
this little forking project? Not too much
not too little.

gssixgun, these are real ivory scales, , but thicker than most, about 1/8". niftyshaving, after some experimenting I've see that any more of a fork than 1" between them will bow the scales too much and put too much pressure on the wedge pin, and less than that doesn't give it enough hold. Is that typical?

Originally Posted by Dann

gssixgun, these are real ivory scales, , but thicker than most, about 1/8". niftyshaving, after some experimenting I've see that any more of a fork than 1" between them will bow the scales too much and put too much pressure on the wedge pin, and less than that doesn't give it enough hold. Is that typical?

I think I can count any ivory scales I have on two fingers
so I cannot answer typical questions. And they are
sound so I have not needed to repin them.

I would look hard at the wedge that was in place
and emulate/ match it. The wedge basically keeps the slot
for the razor open to make it easy and safe to close.
It also makes some spring action at the pivot. Too
much spring and the scales will crack not enough and
the sharp blade will flop and flip too much. You might
also look into brass washers made from brass shim
stock and place them between the ivory and the
tail of the razor to ease/ adjust the spring action.

Scan the WiKi for hints on scaling and pinning razors.
Right now the site search is google powered -- search
for more hints.

Things like domed washers come to mind as a way
to have a tight pin but not too tight. You can also
sneak up on it, tap by tap.... Do not ignore inexpensive replacement
scales to practice and abuse as you educate yourself.
Add a steel spoon to your kit. Tapping with a spoon works
for some... where a light hammer is too heavy.

In the '60s friends used to tap rings out of a silver coin with
a nail and a spoon. Tap by tap while noisy it made
the time pass and the rings were nice and interesting.