Scales

[Zbearclaw]

How does everyone finish these?  Not what to put them on, but your process.

I have a few nice blades that I want to put some scales on but am not sure if the pros are finishing first and then putting on the final blade or somehow protecting the blade during he whole scale shaping process.

The few I have done I the past I still had some dings and such where the handle meets the blade.

I'm currently working with full tang blades and will use copper or other pins to secure.

Thanks guys!

[LONGBOWKID]

Not sure if this is the "right" way, but this is how I do it.

 First I cut the scales to the length I want them, then I tack one onto the tang with a dab of superglue. I then outline my tang with a pen or pencil against the inside of the scale. Carefully drill the holes for pins, and repeat process for the other scale.

 I then temporarily pin them together, and use a bandsaw to cut to the outside of the line I have drawn, only leaving a small amount of wood to remove once glued up. Then I will round off and finish the front of the scales to whichever grit or polish I will be taking the scales to, as once they are glued on, it is near impossible to get that area sanded without scratching the blade.

 I proceed by protecting the blade with several layers of tape, particularly infront of the ricasso, as thats where your sander or file will most likely make contact if you were to slip up. Then glue and clamp with the blade pointing up to prevent epoxy running down the blade if there is an excess.(I always put a block of wood that I have mortised a slot into on the tip of the blade for safety. Even though the blade is taped up, one slip up could result in a nasty injury that could have been avoided.) Then I continue with the final shaping and finishing of the scales.

Hope I helped in some way. Good luck, and we want to see some pictures once you are finished.

Brandon

[Zbearclaw]

Thanks Brandon, that is perfect.

I finish my bow limb overlays like that (prepping the front fade) but have been just finishing the scales completely on the blade and have scratched a few blades.  Those were Helle and weren't expensive, but I have a few damascus blanks now so making a mistake like that has bigger consequences.

I will surely post pics once they are complete.

Thanks again!

Zeke

[gables]

To follow up on longbowkid's process, once shaped and sanded to 400 grit I seal wooden scales with a couple coats of shellac. Then I apply Minway Wipe On Poly Satin and wet sand with 600 grit paper. I do this wet sanding twice. The poly mixes with the sawdust to create a slurry that fills the grain. Once dry I use steel wool and a couple more coats of the minwax, followed by a buffing with paste wax. Fine Woodworking magazine compared a bunch of finishes in one issue and the Minwax Wipe On Poly was the winner in their testing.