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What do you use to shave?

Shangas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,116
Location
Melbourne, Australia
I have a question for straight-razor users.

I recently purchased a very nice BENGALL straight. It's in perfect condition apart from ONE annoying little issue.

Sometimes when I close it, the blade strikes the edge of the scales. The scales are celluloid faux-ivory.

Is there any way that I can fix this so that the razor closes smoothly each time, like my other two? Bending the scales or something? Sanding them? I dunno...Any help?
 

Strapped-4-Cache

One Too Many
Messages
1,112
Location
Lawrenceville, GA
I have a question for straight-razor users.

I recently purchased a very nice BENGALL straight. It's in perfect condition apart from ONE annoying little issue.

Sometimes when I close it, the blade strikes the edge of the scales. The scales are celluloid faux-ivory.

Is there any way that I can fix this so that the razor closes smoothly each time, like my other two? Bending the scales or something? Sanding them? I dunno...Any help?

Shangas,

I have a couple of razors which were pinned a little "off", causing the blade to tend to close on the scales rather than between them. The problem can be fixed by unpinning and repinning the blade, and I've done so on one of mine simply to learn more about how the rivets are set. However, the simplest solution is to slowly close the blade into the scales and guide it into place. As much time as it takes to get and keep a shaving sharp edge on my razors, I'm unwilling to lose that edge to casual contact against the scales.
 

Shangas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,116
Location
Melbourne, Australia
How do I unpin and repin a razor? I've never done that before. Do I need any sorts of special tools? Or can it be done with stuff that I have just lying around the house?
 

Seb Lucas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,562
Location
Australia
Shangas depending on the material involved, you can also put the razor in very hot water and then bend the handles so that you improve the gap lessening the chance of the blade hitting the scales. You can sometimes realign the entire razor this way. I used to collect these tools, they are beautiful items, but I would never dream of using one.
 

ebonysw45

One of the Regulars
Messages
102
Location
Australia
I have plenty of straight razors and use them all. I even have a couple of Bengall razors. If it is celluloid, that does unfortunately warp with age and heat. it might however have been misaligned at manufacture. If the pinning is off you can try peening the rivet or unpinning and replacing the scales. Me I just guide the blade into the scales. I like the history of the item to much to mess with it unless the scales are shot.
 

Shangas

I'll Lock Up
Messages
6,116
Location
Melbourne, Australia
I'll try the hot water method and bend the scales. But I won't disassemble the razor. I don't trust myself to reassemble it.

My other two straights are an unnamed German one, and a Joseph Rodgers & Sons. I had the option to buy a second J.R. & Sons razor about a week ago, but I turned it down because someone had reground the blade (the end had snapped off) into a rather fearsome-looking square-point. I don't trust myself with a square-point blade. Only round-points.
 

ebonysw45

One of the Regulars
Messages
102
Location
Australia
You will enjoy the Bengall they are a great razor. I just found a picture of my 1st straight razor which happened to be a Bengall 5/8.

6346084962_97d40205bb.jpg

Here is a the razor I used last. I can highly recommend a square point or derivation, just be careful around your earlobe :)

87475d1326661916-custom-low-layer-twist-damascus-razors-_mg_5687.jpg
 
Last edited:

ChrisT

One of the Regulars
Messages
134
Location
France
This month we were in Italia.
I have found a "new" Bakelite DE razor.

ge66710.jpg


The seller told me it's from the end of the 40' and he found it in a old barber shop but it was never used.
I have use it a couple of days (with a Chinese blade). It's not my best DE razor but I love it (and it's my first Bakelite razor)
 

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