Thread: Bruno's Blade Club

Originally Posted by Suavio

Here are a couple of very quick and rough ideas. Please excuse the very basic graphics - was just a quick way to start brainstorming with the blade shape in mind.

The first is an idea literally from the Aliens movie. I see the front tip of the scales as the alien head, and the rear as the tail. I can imagine a set in bone with an intricately carved face, or in steel with etching. (Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself!) The tail curve is too long, but I think it shows that curves can work with a blade this shape.

The second is much more geometrical, with parts mirroring basic geometric versions of the blade itself. I think the shape of the razor lends itself to scales that can come out past the front tip of the blade, but should stop pretty close to the pivot pin - otherwise it may get unwieldy.

The third was a quick attempt to do what I've done with my Bruno scales, which was to try to follow the shape of the blade in the scales - this version has the tail of the scales too thin, and the front too long, but should give you the idea. I'd make the tail a bit fatter and overall it would look like a squashed version of the blade itself. Not sure how this would work...

Attachment 176642

Anyway, hope that gets the ideas flowing. I recommend cardboard cutouts to get a feel for how the scales would move, before actually picking any design. Nothing wrong with cardboard and scissors to help shape/modify your designs! Good luck!

P.s. I didn't particularly like the 'Alien' design before, but having looked at it for a while, I have been converted.

Damn you Suavio, I feel like I have to learn scrimshaw now so I can try something similar to that second design in bone. I love the curves of it, I'm going to draw something up similar to it and see how it looks on the razor itself in cardboard. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Ulricus

Damn you Suavio, I feel like I have to learn scrimshaw now so I can try something similar to that second design in bone. I love the curves of it, I'm going to draw something up similar to it and see how it looks on the razor itself in cardboard. Thanks again!

I'd offer to help (pretty excited about the idea) but that's probably not very practical, being on the other side of the world!

When designing scales draw the blade in the closed position and then rotate it 180 degress to the fully open stropping and honing position. It's really important that the scales do not interfere when stropping, therefore the monkey tail should be contained within the scales when open and you should be able to hold the tang easily with thumb and finger. Any design that departs from this general principle will cause grief in the long run.

The comment earlier about scales being the way they are is very true.

No 4 above looks the most likely fit to me.

Originally Posted by UKRob

When designing scales draw the blade in the closed position and then rotate it 180 degress to the fully open stropping and honing position. It's really important that the scales do not interfere when stropping, therefore the monkey tail should be contained within the scales when open and you should be able to hold the tang easily with thumb and finger. Any design that departs from this general principle will cause grief in the long run.

The comment earlier about scales being the way they are is very true.

No 4 above looks the most likely fit to me.

Thanks for the tip, I'll sketch it up like that before I cut out the cardboard so I can testnit out.

Originally Posted by Suavio

I'd offer to help (pretty excited about the idea) but that's probably not very practical, being on the other side of the world!

I'm going to end up making the scales out of Kirinite anyway since I've already got it in the mail, but I somehow think I'm going to start learning scrimshaw just to make bone scales for this razor.

Based on UKRob's suggestions and Suavio's first design, (which I love the lines of) I made these up. I think they'll keep with the alien lines of Bruno's original design, but also keep the scales functional. I'm also thinking of adding some jimps to the "tail" section to mirror the razor. How do they look?

the only thing I would say is watch the width of the scales at the pivot to fit between your fingers when shaving
doesn't seem like much but I find it feels a lot better when they are narrower
so maybe trim the bottom edge up a bit JMO
looks like fun either way

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind when I get the Kirinite and start shaping it. Thanks everyone for the help.

I agree with substance, nice to keep them narrow at the pivot. Looks like a fun project, look forward to seeing progress!

Originally Posted by Ulricus

Based on UKRob's suggestions and Suavio's first design, (which I love the lines of) I made these up. I think they'll keep with the alien lines of Bruno's original design, but also keep the scales functional. I'm also thinking of adding some jimps to the "tail" section to mirror the razor. How do they look?
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A couple of suggestions:

- In the closed position, I would try and follow the contour of the spine more - make it more of a swoop than the 'roller-coaster' shape.
- At the toe end, why not mirror the blade shape more instead of rounding the scales? That way there a little more symmetry when the blade is slightly open.

In practical terms the shape will not rest in the position you have shown - because the tail is long, it will make them back heavy and the tail will be down when you rest the scales with the blade in a closed position.

I had exactly that problem with the ones below - I ended up having to re-make them.

One more design and I'll stop clogging up the thread until I get the Kirinite and start shaping it I promise.

Since the razor has the long tail with jimps and curves like the Alien's tail, I decided I'd try something that looked more like the alien's head. I tried to take some of your advice and kept the scales thinner at the pivot.

Originally Posted by UKRob

In practical terms the shape will not rest in the position you have shown - because the tail is long, it will make them back heavy and the tail will be down when you rest the scales with the blade in a closed position.

I understand what you're saying, and I realize that my current design will suffer from the same issue, but why does that make a difference?