Thread: Scale wedge thickness

When making scales for a vintage straight razor blade when the original scales are missing, how thick should the wedge be made?

The inside of the wedge (the part facing the blade) should be the same thickness as the part of the blade you want to rest in the scales. This will set the depth the blade sits into the scale. The outer edge of the wedge should be slightly smaller than the inside edge to open the pivot end enough to create a slight bow in the scales when the pivot is pinned.

Hope this makes sense.

Stu

I like my razors to sit a bit lower than the vintage ones did. That's just my preference.

However, a good place to start is to make the wedge 1/2 the thickness of the tang and then begin to taper the toe. You can eyeball it if you like, but I prefer to use calipers.

To get a really clean and polished look, it's really important to mock up your blade (with an accurate mock tang....or the dull razor itself) when you're tapering the wedge. This was one of the most difficult lessons for me to learn, but it's the one that adds IMO, the real finishing touch. If you're toe is pinned against the wedge properly and there is no sliver of space, it looks really clean.

Originally Posted by htmitten

When making scales for a vintage straight razor blade when the original scales are missing, how thick should the wedge be made?

It depends how much you want the blade to show above the scales.
The taper should be close to the taper of the tang.

ok first what i do is make the scales and drill your holes. temporarily pin the razor on the scales and line the scales up at the end where the wedge goes. while doing this, fold your razor closed with the desired amount of the blade behind the scales. then put a maark on the back of the blade where it meets the 2 scales and measure the blades thickness at that mark. thats your thickness

Originally Posted by htmitten

When making scales for a vintage straight razor blade when the original scales are missing, how thick should the wedge be made?

The easiest starting point is exactly what Maxi/Nathan posted,, 1/2 the thickness of the tang, then wedge it down.. You adjust the sitting depth by where you pin it ... and the actual design of the scales

At the top of this forum is a "Sticky" that is always updated, it is full of links to thread about how to do just about everything when it comes to restoration...
There are multiple threads and even a few Vids in there on Scales and even Wedges in particular a true wealth of info..

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