What is the considered opinion of the best material for razor scales? I have seen various types of horn, bone and wood options and of course plastics Does a different blade size or grind suit a particular material?? What about thickness or is it really just down to personal feel and aesthetics?
Good questions . Materials used for scales is more of a personal preference kind of thing .What you like to look at . One thing to keep in mind is that you want the scales and razor to be balanced when you are shaving with it .So weight and size of scales need to be paired to the razor for the most part . I like to have razors look close to how they were made originally.So when I rescale English razors I use Horn or bone .With German razors I try t find original scales from a broken blade.If I cannot find original I will buy replacement scales of the same size made from plastic or Krinite . For thickness I would try to keep very close to original size .Scales need to be in a certain thickness range so than can flex and not crack . The wedge also needs to be sized and tapered properly . Robert Williams new book has a great chapter on scales . Today we have a lot of options . Good luck with you rescaling projects . Regards Mike
If I could add to Mike's reply, which is a great bit of info... 1. Scale making is fun and pretty easy to do on the cheap. If you buy a horn or bone blank, make sure you get a 6" long blank (some blanks for knife handles are 5" or smaller). And the closer to a 1/8" thickness you get (vice buying 1/4" thick blanks), the easier it will be to thin down match the existing scale thickness. 2. You really can imagine some interesting designs... and it's your razor, so have fun with it.
Well goodness me! I'll go to the foot of our stairs As I see now why it was suggested I get the scales fitted professionally! On reflection as with all things in life especially something mechanical the more involved you get into it what originally seemed nothing really is indeed quite technical, I had just assumed the blade was everything ( and it sort of still is ) the scales that were till now just a blade cover /fancy handle are in fact an important part of the whole. And fitting a correct size/ position wedge is something I need to look into as I didn't even know about that ... But we live and learn and that's important as I think the more you know about something the better you then understand it and this will eventually come into play when you use it
I must admit I do quite fancy making some scales of my own and have seen several really nice looking blanks in different materials. I wonder if one material is better suited to give both strength and flexibility?. Are scales always rivited? or is the a possibility of a threaded pin with small nuts or it just not practical Ha ha so many questions so much to learn.
You can buy pinning kits on Ebay or Maggards .They also sell scales. https://www.maggardrazors.com/product-category/straight-razors-shavettes/restoration-supplies/
If I was forced to choose just one material, I would choose horn. Easy to shape & sand, easy to polish up, and you could even use it to make the wedge. One stop shop with an order from Maggards, as Mike states, depending on what horn is in stock.
