Thin traditional folder scales

S

Silverbullet951

Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
94
Hello,
I'm remodeling several small traditional slipjoints, similar to smaller senator patterns. They appear to have celluloid scales at about 1/16" thick and I was thinking about replacing these with thin bone. I was wondering what is the safe minimum thickness limit for bone or natural scales. Is 1/16" too thin and would they crack at the pins? What other natural materials would look right on a knife like that? Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Ha, that was a nice typo. Thank you, I’ll try bone and see how it holds. The celluloid pearl is gorgeous but I just don’t trust any of them now that they’re starting to shrink.
 
I have an old straight razor (1950's?) here waiting for me to restore with battered bone scales. The scales are ~2mm thick, so well under 1/8".
All the damage is at the ends, and the pin holes look fine. From this i would guess cracking/chipping the ends of the scales is the big risk
 
On some slipjoints I will thin bone to
.060
I have one on my pocket that the bone is only .040 where it meets the bolsters.
 
Use nickel silver pins will help, or brass.
Be sure to put a good chamfer in the hole as well.
 
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