Thread: What material are these scales?

Not the best pic for trying to answer this question I realise, but I can't work out what they are made of.
It looks and feels like a highly compressed paper type material, but it's far denser.
It refuses to sand smoother than this with 1200grit, but I'm hoping to pick up some 2000grit tomorrow.

Thanks gents
P

From the Pic,,,, Leather and please understand it is really hard to tell but that is my final answer ....

What do I win

Originally Posted by gssixgun

From the Pic,,,, Leather and please understand it is really hard to tell but that is my final answer ....

What do I win

Since you called dibs on leather, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring for micarta.

Originally Posted by Theseus

Since you called dibs on leather, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring for micarta.

Ok, so I did have to look that up, but a paper / cloth based micarta would certainly have the correct texture. Was it in common use prior to 1953 when these makers shut down? I've found contrasting ideas of when it was developed on a quick google search?

Leather is not "Common" but I do have 3-4 sets in my Bench Box that I have taken off for restores,,, I also have seen Pressed Paper -BUT- they were on a "Sales/Advertising" razor basically a Straight Razor Disposable

Thanks for the info Glen, appreciated
It's just for my interest really, as I don't really like the way they look and will probably attempt to make some from wood myself

Originally Posted by gssixgun

From the Pic,,,, Leather and please understand it is really hard to tell but that is my final answer ....

What do I win

I guess that's possible, but they are quite rigid, they really do have that organic texture.
Is that a common material?