Scales on Hill Razor Works, Solingen, Toledo Blade

[sinbad339]

Hi all. I'm still quite new to straight razors, having purchased a kit with a Dovo Best Quality only a few weeks ago. I've been using it every two days since I got it, only cleaning up with my cartridge the first two shaves. I say all that in preface to a question that is probably going to turn out to be embarrassing.

I just bought a Hill Razor, Solingen marked "Toledo Blade" in as is condition from Razor Emporium. My plan was to use it as my first restoration razor. I'm very pleased with its overall condition ; some water stains and patina on the blade, a nick or two on the edge, the blade not centered in the scales, but still a nice razor to my eye. But, I'm wondering about the material of the scales.

There is some texture to them, so they're probably plastic molded to look like ivory or bone. But could the be bone, or horn, or ivory? I apologize for the picture quality; not my thing.

Thanks in advance,

Sinbad

 

[Wid]

Looks like bone to me.

 

[Mike H]

Looks like bone to me.

+1

 

[tomjr]

bone.

 

[jkh]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say bone

 

[sinbad339]

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. My thought was originally to unpin the scales and go to work with some fine sandpaper and polishing compound on a rag. I do like the aged color of the scales, and now that I know they're bone, I really don't want to chance cracking them. So I think I'll try to just use polish on the blade and then send it out for a honing.

 

[kirk 988]

you dont need to take the scales off to sand and polish ive done a beat up horn set and they turned out great

 

[paco664]

nice little razor...

good luck with the restore...

 

[RaiserLiebe]

There is a test for ivory (bone) vs plastic.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/antiquesfyi/tips/damagedone/index.html

See here for more about ID'ing ivory vs bone vs other http://www.asianartmall.com/refivory.htm