Best bandsaw blade for cutting scales?

The problem is that the Porta-Band is designed to cut metal, and all the blades sold for it are optimized for cutting various thicknesses of metal. And they are all 1/2" wide. If you have a local power tool store that makes up bandsaw blades, you could have a blade made up from 1/2" wide stock that had a tooth profile that would be better at cutting micarta or wood. But to cut curves you really need a blade that is narrower than 1/2" and the guides on the Porta-Band won't work with a narrower blade. Assuming you could get it to track properly on the wheels, you'll either dull the teeth of the narrower blade on the guide bearings, score the surfaces of the guide bearings, or both. In short, you need a different bandsaw, not a different blade, to cut anything other than gentle curves.
 
If you are looking to cut profiles, use an inexpensive bandsaw or just use a good coping saw. I regularly use a coping saw for handle construction because it is WAY faster than changing out a blade in the band saw. In fact I rarely use a bandsaw on handles. I prefer to rip on the table saw for things where flatness is important (Use a thin kerf blade, an appropriate insert, and a GRR-ripper or similar pushblock). I mostly use the table saw for two things, resawing thich lumber and large curves. And I suppose scroll work on occasion (but I don't do much of this).
 
If space is an issue, you might even consider a small, inexpensive scroll saw. For small items like knife scales it may be a good solution.
 
if you put a cheap $29 hand held scroll saw in a bench
vise upside down, and screw a 12"x12"x 1/2" plywood table to the saw shoe...
 
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