Thread: french frameback with removable blade.

I just saw Phranks post about his Le Grelot frame back with a removable blade, and it reminded me that I also have one similar. It's an Ad Arbenze razor that I can't seem to find any info on. It should clean up nice once I get around to it. But these framebacks with removable blades sure are neat!

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

I just saw Phranks post about his Le Grelot frame back with a removable blade, and it reminded me that I also have one similar. It's an Ad Arbenze razor that I can't seem to find any info on. It should clean up nice once I get around to it. But these framebacks with removable blades sure are neat!

Arbenz was the "Authorized" UK dealer in them. So far I've seen eight different names stamped. And..I begin to think that the unstamped tangs are the real Le Coultre's. He didn't patent his.
~Richard

Thanks for the info Richard. I guess my next question is, these removable blades, they're not suppose to be disposable, are they? I'm sure I can put an edge back on this thing, right????

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Thanks for the info Richard. I guess my next question is, these removable blades, they're not suppose to be disposable, are they? I'm sure I can put an edge back on this thing, right????

No they were not Disposable,most came with multible blades,Tape the spine and hone away.
I had one in Ivory back in the day.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

No they were not Disposable,most came with multible blades,Tape the spine and hone away. I had one in Ivory back in the day.

Me too and I love it!
A large magnet is a good holder to clean the blades flat on a wet/ dry abrasive paper stuck to a flat surface with a layer of water. A small steel detail brush. or a toothbrush with more effort and time required, does the blade groove.
Rolling X stroke does the trick...quickly!.
~Richard

Thanks guys!

On the subject of removable-blade framebacks ---- I picked up a LeCoultre recently with a bit of cosmetic challenge. It honed very easily and shaves nicely but--but--but-the blade doesn't feel tightly seated. It has both lateral and end play, not falling out, just not as tight as I thought it should be. The screw that fixes it in place is turned all the way in. Normal? Junk? Repairable?

Originally Posted by stimpy52

On the subject of removable-blade framebacks ---- I picked up a LeCoultre recently with a bit of cosmetic challenge. It honed very easily and shaves nicely but--but--but-the blade doesn't feel tightly seated. It has both lateral and end play, not falling out, just not as tight as I thought it should be. The screw that fixes it in place is turned all the way in. Normal? Junk? Repairable?

I'd remove the blade and run the screw all the way in and out a few times to ensure the threads are clean.
Often they mung up from only turning to a certain stop distance their whole lives. Also clean out your blade channel well while the blade is out.
Good luck,, let's see some pics..

Originally Posted by stimpy52

On the subject of removable-blade framebacks ---- I picked up a LeCoultre recently with a bit of cosmetic challenge. It honed very easily and shaves nicely but--but--but-the blade doesn't feel tightly seated. It has both lateral and end play, not falling out, just not as tight as I thought it should be. The screw that fixes it in place is turned all the way in. Normal? Junk? Repairable?

Get another set screw,yours is probebly worn out.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Get another set screw,yours is probebly worn out.

I would guess that the screw will seat further into the spine with a good cleaning. I use a broken round toothpick to screw in and out to clean the threads.
What threading????
Some of them had a screw that went into the spine till no head showed. Others had the regular screw with a head. and...not all had the same threading. but I have tried about 40 different threads and sizes from clocks, metric, and guns and still have not had a success.
~Richard