Which Set of Scales Should I Use?

[BillEllis]

OK, I figured it would be less cluttered if I made a separate thread to talk about the scales for my latest custom razor.

Identification by number is:

1. Stabilized Maple Burl #1
2. Stabilized Maple Burl #2
3. Pistachio
4. Lacewood
5. Aluminum Lined Amboyna Burl
6. Natural Buffalo Horn ~ Opaque = medium
7. Ebony Macassar
8. Myrtle ~ plain grain

Which do you think I should use on this new custom with the engraved tang?

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[ambrose]

I vote 7

nice, rich, and classy with a bit of exotic flare, perfect for such a nice classy blade

 

[kg4ghn]

4 or 5

 

[TheFlyingFrenchman]

I am a man of contrast so I cast my vote for number 6, the horn.

I think that with the engraven leaf motif that something darker and less organic would go well with it, something avoiding the brown-green that one expects of woodlands.

 

[Falstaff]

Great Choices. I voted for the 2nd Maple Burl.

 

[JPDyson]

I think the Ebony would look superb; as little figuring as possible, so as not to distract from the exquisite craftsmanship on the blade

 

[Freedom]

I have to go with 3, I reckon the tail away on the grain will match up with the blade nicely.

I think a darker set of scales may mask the blades detail, we should have some pictures showing how the blade sits with each for a more conclusive answer!!

 

[Aussieshaver]

I think either 6 or 8. The dark or very light woods would help to set it off I think.

 

[mdunn]

My vote is on 2 or 6!

 

[azmark]

I'm going with ebony by a long landslide. That design needs to be the center of attraction and ebony is beautiful and still subtle enough to let the blade do the talking.

 

[GoldenBacon]

#2

 

[Buckler]

Your so funny Bill, your really getting your kicks out of this arnt you.? Who buffs up their scale slabs before cutting them to size lol.

I voted as I said from the start dark horn #6. (simple, dark, to compliment the detail on the blade)

2nd choice: #2 the second maple burl
2rd choice: #7 Ebony (that stuff can look great.)

Thank you so much for all your effort to share this with us. I know there has been hours of fiddle farting around with technology to show us all this.
Cheers

+Simon

 

[ShavedZombie]

I'm a sucker for amboyna and ebony... 5 or 7

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Ebony Macassar

Yup

 

[petr]

6 horn

love the feel of the horn and clean look. not to take away from the incredible steel work, and still have the warmth of horn.

 

[amcardon]

7.

I feel anything else would really distract from the beauty of the engraving, that ebony, I think, would complement it nicely. Beautiful work, Bill!

 

[fynn1177]

I think the Ebony would look very nice.
Is a really extraordinarily good razor.
Greets from Germany, Nils

 

[Shane]

Pistachio.

 

[Falstaff]

Say, I know how you could pick the winning scales; simply the person who puts a $250 deposit on the razor can pick the winning scales material.

 

[huracan]

I think #2 would look really, really nice on this blade.