What size Scales???

D

DevilMan

Joined
Aug 4, 2006
Messages
294
I have a question for all the makers here that use scales to finish their knives. Whether wood, G10, canvas/paper micarta, or even agate as some do.

I am wondering what size you buy when you get it. What the average is? Or what size you start at when you stabilize the wood and what not.

4 X 6 ??? 5 X 10?? On average if you bought a rectangular sheet of scale material what would the most common size be???

Also what thickness??? 1/4? 3/8??? 1/2 ??? I would think that 1/2 would be the top of the scale and 1/8 the bottom with the majority pulling around the 3/8" mark.. Since you can always sand down easier than put back on thickness.

Thanx in advance,

DM
 
In sheets 5X10 seems to be standard.You can cut 5" long scales to width required. I like 1/4-3/8" thick.
When cutting wood,I usually have the whole board/block stabilized and cut afterward.
If you are getting single blocks stabilized (cut in half to make scales after stabilizing), cut the blocks to 1.5X6X1.25. This allows for re-cutting to clean and true up (size may vary depending on material and projected use).
When slicing up scales, I usually cut at 3/8 to allow for flattening and grinding.If I am cutting scales for sale, I cut to 1.25X5X3/8, and 1.5X6X3/8 .
Stacy
 
In micarta I started buying the 9x9 sheets seems to working alot better
than the 1 1/2 x 10" pieces plus cheaper for the size stuff i'm doing.
The wood I use is scrap from a friend of mine that does cabinet work.
he is nice enough to cut it down to 3/8 thick and I just do the rest on the
band saw. He just gave me enough nice oak to do 6 knives and enough
walnut to do 4 or 5. Both real nice grain and free.
 
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