Thread: These scales cannot be original... right?

Originally Posted by TristanLudlow

I've had many vintage razors with this phenomenon, filing a bit off of the wedge with a flat file fixed it in most cases.

That looks like exactly what has happened here, the wedge looks to have been filed down on an angle.

I have used a hacksaw blade with no handle to cut/trim the wedge from the inside without taking it apart. You might have room to do it for now but if it is shrinking it will continue from my experience.

You can only go so far as the pin!

Originally Posted by 32t

I have used a hacksaw blade with no handle to cut/trim the wedge from the inside without taking it apart. You might have room to do it for now but if it is shrinking it will continue from my experience.

You can only go so far as the pin!

No harm giving it a try! And gives me time to think about other scale options.

Originally Posted by outback

Here in the states, the Red Imp, by Case, was notorious for shrinking. So much so, that some would break the blades while in the closed position.

Attachment 301202


So no, its not uncommon for some earlier plastics, to shrink.

Looking at this picture it reminds me that at least for the Imps if the scales shrink the wedge stays the same width and sticks out from the scales on the outside.

Originally Posted by 32t

Looking at this picture it reminds me that at least for the Imps if the scales shrink the wedge stays the same width and sticks out from the scales on the outside.

Good point. Mine are showing none of that. The wedge is perfectly flush with the scales around the outside. Maybe the pendulum is swinging back towards these being replacement scales.

Either way, filing the wedge might still solve the problem.

Originally Posted by outback

Here in the states, the Red Imp, by Case, was notorious for shrinking. So much so, that some would break the blades while in the closed position.

This looks almost identical the the Case Red Imp 133 I had. I love them though, both for the simplicity of the blades and the razor edge they take. Plus, it comes with a ready-made reason to throw some custom scales on.

Originally Posted by ppetresen

This looks almost identical the the Case Red Imp 133 I had. I love them though, both for the simplicity of the blades and the razor edge they take. Plus, it comes with a ready-made reason to throw some custom scales on.

They are nice blades. I had four, gave one to my son. As everyone who has had at least one says the scales are a low point in the realm of scale
quality.

I have heard tales of folks who soak scales in neatsfoot oil. I assume that the oil acts like a plasticizer. However, I have not done this, so I do not know exactly what happens. If your scales have shrunk to the point they are problematic, perhaps the neatsfoot oil trick will help. Perhaps someone who has used this method can provide more information as my knowledge is quite limited.

The Neatsfoot oil is for horn scales. It soaks in and revives the horn. It won't work on celluloid. At least to the best of my experience.

The wedge on many vintage razors, if not most, is canted so that the top shows a smaller wedge than does the bottom. Also, the bottom portion of the wedge is often thinner than the top, regardless of the angle of the wedge it'self.
This feature welcomes the blade into the scales and provides strength.

Something the masters did back when.


Shrunken scales such as the Case Red Imps can have the wedge taken back (hacksaw blade draw-saw) And the wedge filed flush until the pin gets involved.
Then, it's over.