Thread: Whitby Jet Scales

Just out of interest, does anyone know if you could make scales out of Whitby Jet?

I have no idea if it would be practicle at all, but I just think that it looks really cool.

Steven

I'll be the first!

What is "Whitby Jet"?

Whitby Jet

(I had to look it up too )

As it doesn't flex at all it would be a problem.

Gary

Originally Posted by Geoff

Whitby Jet

(I had to look it up too )

AH, I see!

Hmmm. My first thought was that, I'm suprised we don't already see it used in razor scales already! I mean it's been around for a long time, used for jewlery, etc. But then, perhaps that, in itself, means something. It might not be practical.

BUT, that's never stoped anyone from trying. OR, at least trying again

As Gary pointed out, it does not seem to have much flex, so it 'might' not be great to use. However, mother of pearl does not have much flex either, and it's used.

I'm leaning toward, 'maybe' for its use.

OR, at least as a section in a set of scales. If it polishes up well (and it seems to), I think it might look great as a middle section of a set of scales (not the end spacer, althought it could be used for that, but under appreciated in that location), borderd by thin brass liner and perhaps a nice maple or ambonya burl......

Go for it! Post pictures!! OR, grab me some, and I'll make a go at it

C utz

Originally Posted by garythepenman

As it doesn't flex at all it would be a problem.

Gary

Keep in mind that abalone doesn't flex either.

make puzzle pieces out of it, put it on a liner? I'm sure you could do some cool stuff with it. Ship some to Bill (urleebird) and see if he thinks it's worth the effort?

It would be cool. I love stone objects and would love a pair of stone scales...I've been thinking about how to accomplish it however and haven't come up with a solution yet. Stone is simply too hard (doens't bend).

I'll post my concerns in this thread as well: If the scales are too heavy, they throw off the balance of the blade and take the joy out of shaving. I'd avoid stone scales if possible.

I'm not sure if it makes a difference to what you've been saying about the weight of the produced scales, but jet is not actually stone, it's fosillised monkey puzzel tree. I have not actually held any myself, but this makes me think that it's not actually that heavy

Though you are right about it not being flexable at all.

Steven