Thread: Wedge or Spacer

So.......I regularly peruse the custom and resto side of the forum, and I'm seeing something I want to get some clarification on. It seems several of the custom makers and restorers are making scales with what look to me to be spacers rather than wedges. Is this the "new thing" or just personal preference, or something else? What are your thoughts and personal opinions? I personally like the looks and traditional appearance of a nice tapered wedge.

I am not going to say it is the new thing but certainly the easier to do.
Wedges are used so the scales naturally bow outwards, spacer will keep the scales straight but with time will cause the scales to bow inwards.

Agreed it's not the new thing just the easier thing. Personal preference wedges look better also. They are not horrible to make, just take some practice.

Originally Posted by mainaman

I am not going to say it is the new thing but certainly the easier to do.
Wedges are used so the scales naturally bow outwards, spacer will keep the scales straight but with time will cause the scales to bow inwards.

Agreed, The wedge is made for a reason. Taking the easy road, while easier will in the long run be more work and could cause damage to the blade.

Originally Posted by CTKnife

Agreed, The wedge is made for a reason. Taking the easy road, while easier will in the long run be more work and could cause damage to the blade.

Some of the reasons that Ray mentioned

1. The outward bow of the scales strengthens the scale
2. The bow creates tension on the razor so it opens and closes smoothly
3. The bow and resulting angle keeps the scales from rubbing the sides of the tang (somewhat)
4. The angle of the wedge should match the angle of the tang
5. The bow allows for use of a 3rd pin to further relive tang rubbing or just for looks (not necessary)

These are most of the reasons I can think of right now, but right now, I am just having my first cup of coffee so forgive me if I missed some

Keep in mind that the tang of a razor is angled, sometimes in two directions, sometimes even rounded, the wedge should create a natural curve to meet these angles... All this is not a rule, it is just how those old guys have figured stuff out over the years and the evolution of the SR... If you look at some of the old Stub Tails you will find much more of a spacer than a wedge, mostly I have found that they seemed to follow the tang design so that is what I always did....

Most people that start making scales always use a spacer. As they progress, get more confident and better they switch to a tapered wedge. A tapered wedge is the way to go. It's not that hard. It just takes practice. A belt sander does help tremendously.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

Most people that start making scales always use a spacer. As they progress, get more confident and better they switch to a tapered wedge. A tapered wedge is the way to go. It's not that hard. It just takes practice. A belt sander does help tremendously.

I completely concur. I began trying to make wedges, and got frustrated. So I made spacers. Literally just two weeks ago I tried a different type of pressure and voila! I immediately thought to myself "thats it! Now I've got it."

Man, what a breakthrough. Talk about elation.

Thanks for all the replies so far gentlemen. Very interesting. I need a belt sander apparently. I assume with judicious use of sandpaper one could make a wedge by hand as well.

I think I would agree with everyone. I tend to think wedges look better...spacer are definitely easier. I think there are several good reasons to use a wedge over a spacer although a spacer is fine so long as the scales are made/set correctly.

I'm nowhere in the same league as many who have commented here but if you're asking from makers standpoint: One thing I've found is that putting barely any taper on at all is still enough to make a drastic difference. Don't beat yourself up if your getting frustrated trying to make dime-thick wedges that taper down to paper thickness. I'll leave that to the masters for awhile.

Originally Posted by medicevans

I assume with judicious use of sandpaper one could make a wedge by hand as well.

Absolutely. I've done it.

That being said, it's worth pointing out that it may take you several tries to get it right. My first couple of attempts did not make good wedges. They'd look right until I tried to fit the scales, and then it would turn out that each face of the wedge was slightly convex, which really doesn't work very well.