Dorko in Black Horn

Here is my first attempt at horn scales. The razor is a 6/8 Dorko 114 I've had for some time which was in a set of homemade acrylic scales. The wedge is antique paper micarta and the hardware is nickel silver / stainless. I tried to keep the wedge a little less tapered than I normally do, while still having it fulfill the duty of "wedge". My self-critique on these is that the tang-end of the scales is a touch short, due to a bit of oversanding (still getting used to the speed at which my new stationary belt sander removes material). I sanded the horn with 80,120,150,220,320,400,600,800,1000,2000 then buffed with white, red and green buffing compound and blue magic polish.

I took the photos with my phone so they're slightly distorted close-ups. Let me know if you guys have any pointers.

I am impressed. The lines are very nice.

Nice job Dallas!

You must have quite the collection of Dorko's!

Digging the colour of that wedge! And also very nice work on the horn, I'd love to get my hands on some.

Fantastic job Dallas, Looks excellent.

Looks like you rocked it. Well done.

Very classy!

dmcconnell said:

My self-critique on these is that the tang-end of the scales is a touch short, due to a bit of oversanding

Click to expand...

I don't know man... I think it looks good. You have a really nice view of the tang when the razor is closed. It lets the blade show itself off more. I wouldn't worry about that it being small. I, personally, like it.

Great job on those scales. I like the wedge too.

Very nice job! I love the look of horn scales.

life2short1971 said:

I am impressed. The lines are very nice.

Click to expand...

Thanks - the stationary belt sander made it much easier to get the lines smooth & clean than it was shaping by hand.

lamontqsanford said:

Nice job Dallas!

You must have quite the collection of Dorko's!

Click to expand...

I only have 3 right now, Tracy - and always on the lookout for more. I have a thing for Dorkos...

Munxcub said:

Digging the colour of that wedge! And also very nice work on the horn, I'd love to get my hands on some.

Click to expand...

Thanks - yeah I was worried it would be too yellow and it does look pretty yellow in the pics, but it actually is more of a tan / ivory colour and I'm pleased with it.

superbleu said:

Fantastic job Dallas, Looks excellent.

Click to expand...

Thanks Bong.

Undream said:

Looks like you rocked it. Well done.

Click to expand...

Brad - thanks for your compliment and more importantly thanks for making your restoration video series and giving me a benchmark to shoot for in terms of quality, fit and finish.

Loner16 said:

Very classy!

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Drybonz said:

I don't know man... I think it looks good. You have a really nice view of the tang when the razor is closed. It lets the blade show itself off more. I wouldn't worry about that it being small. I, personally, like it.

Great job on those scales. I like the wedge too.

Click to expand...

It is definitely growing on me. The scales feel great in the hand while stropping and shaving, so I'm not too worried about it.

Harvitz81 said:

Very nice job! I love the look of horn scales.

Click to expand...

Thanks Joe.

Nice. Very classic look with the horn scales.

Very nice, but heck man - HOW'S IT SHAVE?
I just got my second Dorko in the mail yesterday (needs honing), but my other Dorko is my best shaver by far. Curious about yours.

All 3 are really, really good shavers... up there with Puma, LeGrelot and Breidohr IMHO. I find them very easy to hone and they hold an edge forever. I'm always on the lookout for Dorkos but they don't come up all that often. I have a 1/4 hollow and it is really spectacular.

dmcconnell said:

All 3 are really, really good shavers... up there with Puma, LeGrelot and Breidohr IMHO. I find them very easy to hone and they hold an edge forever. I'm always on the lookout for Dorkos but they don't come up all that often. I have a 1/4 hollow and it is really spectacular.

Click to expand...

Is that 1/4 hollow the one you and I traded? Funny how for one person they shave great but for another (me) it wasn't worth a darn.

Yeah that is the one Tracy - I honed it on my Shaptons and it shaves very well.

Woodash said:

Very nice, but heck man - HOW'S IT SHAVE?
I just got my second Dorko in the mail yesterday (needs honing), but my other Dorko is my best shaver by far. Curious about yours.

Click to expand...

What size are your Dorkos?

I can feel the prices of Dorkos going up as I read this thread....

Any time I see a job of work like yours I am happy. The shape and quiet elegance show that the work was on purpose and meant to look as it does.
Thank you
Respectfully
~Richard

Beautiful job! Love that razor and the new scales really do it justice.

Thanks guys!