Thread: 2 pin or 3"

Yup I'm really likeing the looks of 3 pined razors. I almost have to look at each one I see on ebite.

What advantage does one get from 3 pins? All I know is that the shaft is suposed to rest on it. However my DD that has 3 pins doesn't touch the shaft at all. It seems to be more ridgid that the others but I'm betting that a mind trick.

Thanks for any info

Shawn

I saw a post saying they were more solid...but I could be wrong. I recently pinned a 3 pin and se it up so the shaft rested on it.

My thinking is that 3 pins cost significantly more to manufacture than 2, putting up the price. If the razor is going to cost more anyway, they might as well use better quality in the rest of the razor. So a 3 pin is an indication of a quality razor, worth a little more than 2 pins. That's aside from any putative advantage - and I'd guess that they would be a little more rigid, and therefore slower to wear the pins.

It really depends on the type and build of the scales whether there's any real advantage or not. With ivory, MOP, bone or horn, theres' no advantage whatsoever aside from cosmetic. With thin plastics, there's a good advantage because they're too easily flexed. Three-pin designs only became popular once plastic/celluloid became a standard handle material and then only on the larger razors that needed the support and extra rigidity a 3 pin build was needed to provide.

I have found that the more expensive razors had 3 pins. I don't know if that made them more expensive but I like the 3rd pin.

Robert gave great insight.

Sure, the more expensive Solingen razors sport 3 pins to prevent scales warping, imo. As noted, the blade rarely rests on the pin. However, celluloid scales do warp pretty often so this was a way to address it (it still doesn't guarantee that scales won't warp)

I have never ever seen 3 pins on an old Sheffield blade (mostly horn and bone scales). If any blade might need support - it's the big ol' meatchoppers and they never have 3 pins. Swedish blades also do not seem to come in 3-pin scales, regardless of scale material.

So - I like the look much in a Solingen blade but would not want it for a Sheffield vintage, even if I am changing the scales.

Cheers
Ivo

My first razor was a 3-pin John Clarke & Son Sheffield. Lovely razor.

Originally Posted by mparker762

My first razor was a 3-pin John Clarke & Son Sheffield. Lovely razor.

I'd bet it was a new-er Sheffield then? I have seen Taylor's w/ 3 pins (newer Sheffields) but these seem to be the exception that confirms the rule

Cheers
Ivo

edit: Michael, if you tell me that it also had bone, horn, or ivory scales I'll be stumped