latest scales

[bg42]

I know they are only half finished,however I thought Bill might like to give them the once over.These are the most difficult I`ve tried to make and yes everything lines up and there is no gaps. I hope the position of the joins are correct ,I`ve tried to get the the join in the pearl equal to the radius of the curve and the angles on the brass inserts are about 30 deg
Any way Bill let me have it ,you know its always appreciated and maybe others in the forum that want to give it a go can pick up some tips
Kind regards Peter

[Bill]

That is definitely a difficult project, Peter. The symmetry of all that is going on there will probably not be fully appreciated by most unless they have tried something like that themselves. I'm sitting here, going WOW!

I will avoid undertakings such as these because of all the things that can go wrong. You should take pride in a very good accomplishment with this set of scales.

Now, for the only critique I can offer without seeing them in my mitts. Keep in mind, also, this is really nit picking. I would not have made the radius of the scales quite so pronounced by leaving them a little less bow-legged. The second thing I would do is take a tiny bit of the crisp edge off of the pearl to help protect them against bumps that can crack them pretty easily. I'm talking a tiny radius here, like a 32nd or so.

This part you're not gonna wanna hear. You need to find a better blade. You put in too much work to not put the best blade specimin you can find on them. That blade is great for a standard set of scales, including a nice set of wood or horn. But you need a a good swayback/sowbelly/bow blade to match those scales. You are selling your work short by using that blade.

I look forward to seeing the finished razor...

[bg42]

Thanks Bill ,I do appreciate the advice I will be rounding off the edge after the final shaping,I know what you mean about the blade ,I have something else in mind ,Will PM you
Thanks again Bill
Kind regards Peter

[PalmettoB]

Peter, that is real craftsmanship! I look forward to seeing the blade you decide to put with those. Very nice.

[bg42]

I have managed to get the stirling wire in and peen top and bottom ,no cracks ,however I`m a bit dissapointed with the MOP there is some very minor blemishes which didn`t show up till every thing was ground down to just under 1.5mm and polished . I could understand if I cut it from a shell my self but when you buy the stuff and pay an arm and a leg by the way I expect it to be perfect I may be able to remove most of it in the final shaping and rounding off the edges, we will see
any way for better or worse this is it so far.
I toook some edge on top and bottom so you can see how every thing lines up
Kind regards Peter