Thread: PRC Hydra

Originally Posted by Orville

Can you explain this, please? How can it add stress to the pivot?

To me, the only way a blade is too deep is if the edge is protruding out the other side of the scales, but what do I know?

Sure. The basic design of a wedge is tapered so that it splays the pivot end before assembly.
On assembley the scales take a tension that allows even contact with a tapered tang thru the range of movement.

Open & close a vintage razor slowly & you will see the scales "breathe" so to speak

A flat wedge does not allow this & possibly some modern makers may not even taper the tang so this mistake can work in a fashion.
It kind of turns the razor into a penknife type operation but if the tang is tapered then the problems arise in time ie the pivot will loosen or the razor will have tight & loose points on rotation much like a bent pivot pin.

If the wedge which should have been tapered is a flat, fat, spacer to match an equally fat tang then the razor will drop into the void created by such & only the very end of the spine will stop the razor from falling thru. Even some of the biggest vintage blades had comparitively slim wedges which would stop the blade much earlier.
A problem with a razor that sits too deeply in the scales is that it necessitates levering the tail to open it rather than using two hands. This can lead to "stropping" the blade against the scales if you flex them.

Look at how high this John Barber sits out of the scales & also the design of the wedge.