Thread: Need advice on wood scales

A friend that knows I'm into wet shaving and have been looking for a razor to try my hand at restoring with got me 1 from a neighbor. The blade had only minor rust and tarnish and I've had little trouble getting that out but the scales were already being held together by twine at the wedge and had massive bug damage throughout. Obviously they broke when I attempted to unpin them now I'm looking to make my first set of scales. Another friend who is an artist offered to add some design to the scales before I finish them so I'm having trouble deciding on a wood type personally I'd just use a piece of 2X4 I have laying around for the contrast but I'm willing to bet pine isn't quite hard enough to make a good set of scales so I'm soliciting suggestions. I'm looking for a lighter colored wood to use something that will take just a sealer coat no staining to really let his work pop. Also I'm seriously looking at making it a 1 piece set of scales as it just strikes me as a less complicated way to make scales anybody screaming at the monitor about how naive I am please speak up. I have the necessary tools but haven't done any wood work of this type in many years so any and all help is appreciated as always. Thanks as always

if you have a Rockler or other hardwood shop nearby you should be able to find some 1/8 inch maple or similar light colored wood. I have only done a few scales myself and never a one piece. That said, it seems to me that it is easier to do the two piece in order to tweak the fit to the razor. I have yet to see a razor that is 100% symmetrical. It just seems that a one piece scale would be hard to make fit just right.

You're correct to not use pine, and a hardwood is the way to go, if using wood. What type is all a matter of what you like. As an example, the scales you have right now are horn, and if I was asked what I like, I would say horn over wood, lol.

I would stay away from one piece scales. Making scales from two sides and a wedge will give better geometry. The wedge makes the scales flex out like a V, and when pined at the pivot, provides that nice bow. This tension helps keep the razor secure in all positions open and closed.

Ok well the argument for a 2 piece is starting to look rather compelling. Maple actually sounds like a pretty good idea I'll be looking into that and possibly ash. I'll post pictures as it progresses I'm getting really excited about the whole process.

If using maple, try to get sugar maple (A. Saccharum) instead of bigleaf maple (A. Macrophyllum). The sugar maple is much harder and more durable. Shouldn't be a problem where you live.

I, too would recommend a three-piece handle construction (scale-wedge-scale). I had a hard enough time copying two-piece (integral wedge) vintage scales. I can't even figure out how one would begin to make a one piece handle (that was any good).

Phillip

To add to materials, I am not such a fan of ash or other large grain structure in small items like scales.
For lighter colored woods I like maple, box elder, holly or something similar.

Well I went out shopping for woods today and ended up with a really light colored piece of poplar and a beautiful red oak. I've been soliciting from people who know me and it appears this razor will be done with the red oak I'm going to begin work on it tomorrow. I'm beyond excited for this I love this obsession.