First Post

[Zepplin]

What a newbie!

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Steve and I don't even own a scroll saw, yet. - Yes, I could use some suggestions. I'm looking at Proxxan(micro), Dewalt 16", Craftsman 16", etc..

I belong to other forums, but they are for straight razor shavers, like myself(see the avatar).

Anyway, I have been str8 razor shaving for a little over a year. I suffer from RAD (Razor Acuasition Disorder). I probably own about 50 or 60 razors. Anyway, I have decided to start making my own scales, and that is how I ended up on you front door step. Who knows where this will lead. I look to be doing only outside cutting for now, but as I said, who knows where this could go.

Anyway, I'm going to keep my mouth shut, and start reading.

Happy Trails -

[GrayBeard Phil]

Hi, Bladerunner
and welcome to the forum!

Question for you---
When you mentioned scale-- Do you mean the razor "cover"? or do you call it the razor housing?

So my question is (if the above is somewhere in the ballpark) how do you make the thin slot for the metal blade? Do you make the scale in two parts then glue, or is there some very thin router bit that is used?

What material do you plan to use? Corian? (or more correctly the generic term Nairoc) Bone? Deer Antler? Exotic Woods?

Gosh, but I wish you the best in your desire to make these (mostly because the education on this scale making you could share with us would be so-o-o cool.)

Phil

[CanadianScroller]

Not making light of the conversation because I always love new members and new ideas. I just wonder if anyone lese sees the irony here.
GrayBeard Phil, excited over razors??????


Welcome to the site Zepplin

I agree Phil...it would be cool

[Wood Dog]

Welcome Zepplin.....personally I would go with the Dewalt. Keep reading post, because there is lots lots lots of information here. Ask questions, and post some pictures of your projects when you get them completed.........we love project pictures.
Come by often will ya.

[Zepplin]

Originally Posted by GrayBeard Phil

Hi, Bladerunner
and welcome to the forum!

Question for you---
When you mentioned scale-- Do you mean the razor "cover"? or do you call it the razor housing?

So my question is (if the above is somewhere in the ballpark) how do you make the thin slot for the metal blade? Do you make the scale in two parts then glue, or is there some very thin router bit that is used?

What material do you plan to use? Corian? (or more correctly the generic term Nairoc) Bone? Deer Antler? Exotic Woods?

Gosh, but I wish you the best in your desire to make these (mostly because the education on this scale making you could share with us would be so-o-o cool.)

Phil

Phil,

Good questions.

Scales are the handles. The same term, also, applies to knives. I remember when I first got in to straight razors I thought, "why do they call them scales?"

They are made in two pieces, 99.999% of the time. On one end is a spacer that separates the two pieces. Before I go further, scales are made from plastics, celluloid, woods, etc. - the spacer material can be plastic, wood, brass, any metal. Before plastics they were, also, made of bone and antler. At the other end (from the spacer), two holes are drilled to accommodate a 1/16" brass pivot pin. This is where the actual blade, which has a hole by the tang, or monkey tail, is attached to the scales; the brass pin passes through that hole.

Finding good quality scales is difficult, and making them yourself is a further extension of the hobby of maintaining straights. It's got to be very rewarding and satisfying to make your own scales out of beautiful exotic woods. I do love restoring straights; and this is something I have always wanted to do.

I want to get in to scrolling patterns on these scales; and I want to learn to engrave on these woods, also.

I'll tell you something else that is fascinating: Metallurgy! Most of the razors I shave with are over a hundred years old. The steel and the edges on these razors is fantastic. A handful of men have gotten in to actually making, shaping, and forging there own blades. The science of doing that, along with sharpening and honing boarders between science and art. I am pretty sure I will never do that. I've read a lot about it, and it is absolutely fascinating to say the least.

I'll be very happy making my own scales, and personalizing them for someone I care for. Now, that will really be cool!

Steve

[jigsue]

I don't shave myself (honestly), but it does sound like a really interesting collection. Having just seen the Sweeney Todd movie, it could be a little disconcerting! However, I would agree, making your own and personalising them with scrolled deisgns is a superb idea. I cannot wait to see what you come up with.

Sue

[Pajaro]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa OOOOOOOKKKKKKKKKK?

[BobD]

I picked up a straight razor when I was in Turkey. I went to a barber over there for my first barbershop shave, and was impressed at the smoothness of the shave. I got one that takes disposable blades, and butcher myself every time I try to use it!

Bob

[GrayBeard Phil]

BladeRunner (Steve)

Thanks for the info. and explanation.

Bob:

It is all in the shaving soap and the 100% pure Badger hair brush. None of that shaving chemicals from a can. It must be proper shaving soap (with a real shaving mug) applied in traditional method. No hope to saving your skin otherwise.

Carl:

Originally Posted by CanadianScroller

Not making light of the conversation because I always love new members and new ideas. I just wonder if anyone lese sees the irony here.
GrayBeard Phil, excited over razors??????

As you know, Carl, obscure and seldom needed knowledge is not always knowledge that is useful.

Why once in my life, I took a mid-term test on the History of the Roman Empire--4 essay questions from about the Roman-Carthage wars through to the start of Caesar Augustus's reign (Roman Republic era.) In 45 + years, I have never had a use for any of that knowledge. And while important once, I remember almost nothing of it now.

Phil

[BobD]

I've got the brush, and I bought a tube of the same shaving cream (real cream, not foam like comes out of a can)...but it still wasn't pretty. I can pare a paper thin shaving off a carving, but when I have that razer next to my face, I might as well be Sweeny Todd.

Bob