Originally Posted by
Geezer
I B here.
Interesting old razor!
The blade in it has been honed too far and at an angle and so it is not in proper position. The razor may!! have taken a double hollow blade.
The flat spring at the back of the cap, used to push the blade against the edge stops may have been bent a bit and could hold the cap away.
I would like to see side view with the top closed as far as it can be. blade in or out. Does the cap close with no blade??
If the blade size is right then Feather still makes a similar blade for the "Valet". Also you can carefully!!! strip the thick cap from a standard SE blade and see if it fits. Place blade in vise with the cap about a 1/8th" above the vise and take a flat blade screwdriver to to side and below the cap an twist it against the vise and against and under the metal cap to get it loose and take a pliers to remove it. Second or third try should give you success. May have to support the back side of the blade so it doesn't break off. A small claw hammer may also work with the metal cap in the claw/ nail puller.
Ultrasonic it a few times with a citrus dish soap from the 1$ store; Mr Clean etc.
As a guess, the shaft has unscrewed a bit from the toggle bar and it may be possible to screw it back together if all is Ultrasonic cleaned.
Twist the head only slightly at a time with very little pressure back and forth while holding the grip on the bottom of the shank. Or, hold the head and twist the knurled end of the hand gently back and forth. as much force as you would to open a previously opened bottle of aftershave, no more, and a bit less.
Have fun, some can take a week or more to loosen up!
~Richard.