Thread: is there a DIY way of changing the scales on a razor?

I bought my first straight razor which is a gold dollar razor... The one with the checkered handle or better yet the scales or something right lol... I have noticed that I have to pay close attention when I am closing the razor because sometimes the blade will catch on the side of the scales... Which in every time it has happened I cringe and get sick to my stomach lol jk but really it hurts me in a weird kind of way. So I've been wondering if people know a way to modify the handle on the razor all together and maybe make something that is custom or even one a handle you can buy online. If not does anyone know a solution to this problem I am having? Aside from paying attention diligently when I am closing the razor...
As always thanks SRP members in advance for taking the time to read my thread and helping me out!

Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Library

I honed a gold dollar like yours for someone. The pivot pin was either bent or something. The scales did not met properly. If you looked from the side one was higher than the other. Your problem may be solved by just repining the pivot end. It is easier and cheaper than changing the scales.

Sounds like you have a blade centering problem, sometimes this can be fixed with adjusting the pins, Blade Centering - Straight Razor Place Library

Just realize we are talking about a Gold Dollar razor, then it could be many different things bad geometry, pins blade etc.

Originally Posted by Geezer

Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Library

Originally Posted by bouschie

I honed a gold dollar like yours for someone. The pivot pin was either bent or something. The scales did not met properly. If you looked from the side one was higher than the other. Your problem may be solved by just repining the pivot end. It is easier and cheaper than changing the scales.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Sounds like you have a blade centering problem, sometimes this can be fixed with adjusting the pins, Blade Centering - Straight Razor Place Library

Just realize we are talking about a Gold Dollar razor, then it could be many different things bad geometry, pins blade etc.

All of these answers are excellent answers but like Martin said, it could be many different things. Hopefully it is just off center a bit, it can be the scales, blade, pins or all! Start with the simplest thing first & go from there. Take it apart & look to see if the pivot pin is bent, if so, that is more than likely the problem. If not, lay the blade on a level surface & check both sides, it might be slightly bent. Do the same with the scales as one or both could be warped. Once you find your problem, you will get better at this kind of thing in time & it will make you feel better that you fixed the problem.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Just realize we are talking about a Gold Dollar razor, then it could be many different things bad geometry, pins blade etc.

Sounds like this gold dollar razor isn't worth a shit... You know I was contemplating another razor to my collection but the dovos are just too expensive.... I would like a quality razor for about 50-70 bucks... Do you have any in mind because I just used it not long ago and I closed it on the scales again

Originally Posted by Geezer

Category:Repair & Restoration - Straight Razor Place Library

Thanks I tried searching and I think I wasn't using the right keywords... Thank you

Originally Posted by engine46

Once you find your problem, you will get better at this kind of thing in time & it will make you feel better that you fixed the problem.

I agree, I think in the meantime I'll be buying a new razor but I will work on this one as a back up and if I end up messing it up then it could be a project I have to research and solve.... Love the feeling of fixing things on my own

Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

Sounds like this gold dollar razor isn't worth a shit... You know I was contemplating another razor to my collection but the dovos are just too expensive.... I would like a quality razor for about 50-70 bucks... Do you have any in mind because I just used it not long ago and I closed it on the scales again

I think the entry level Dovos start at about $70 and you're not going to get a newly produced quality razor for less than that.

If you want a good razor at the lower end of that price range your best bet would to look for a vintage razor from a lesser known(as in not hyped up on the forums) maker but then the problem is that there are a lot of things that you've got to look out for when trying to determine if a razor is still good.

Originally Posted by Dafonz6987

Thanks I tried searching and I think I wasn't using the right keywords... Thank you

Ya click on the link he sent ya!

Also you can get a decent Genco for around $20-$25 & you can get lucky & acquire a Boker cheap sometimes because people tend to get preoccupied at the last second.