Thread: Jaques LeCoultre Find

I ordered a LeCoultre off E-Bay a few weeks back for what I thought was a pretty good price.

It arrived today. I was pleasantly surprised to find the second blade in a sleeve in the box... seller had not advertised the second blade as being part of the set.

The installed (#1) blade rocked a little with the screw in place. The screw was bound, so I shot it with some penetrating fluid and it came out no problem.

It's a bit dirty... there's some gunk in the jimps and at the pivot point, and the top of the #1 blade. I'm sure there's more in the frame itself.

#1 blade looks good overall. #2 has a small chip at the toe, and microchips all along the edge. The wood scales (ebony?) are in good shape. Pins are tight. The tool is in good shape as well.

Overall a good find I think, and if I can get the blade in with no wobble, I'll have at least one that's a good shaver I think.

A little bit of work and I think those will be fine.
They are terrific shavers. You'll love 'em.

Pete <:-}

Took it for a quick cleaning with a nylon scrub brush, some soap, and then a rinse with wd-40.

A small amount of hair was in the frame... definitely saw some use in the past! Little active rust, a bit inside the frame towards the toe end that would be tricky to get out... nothing aweful. Also a bit at the top of Blade No1; got that cleaned up easily. Blade No2's edge will need some work if there's a good edge to be had...

The wobble is the issue. When installed, the set screw holds the blade in well, but the blade wobbles a bit side to side a degree or two at most. Wouldn't be an issue shaving or stropping... I could probably hone it... I would try a longer set screw, but I'm sure this is a completely non-standard bore and thread. A few drops of wax in the frame once the blade is in?

Blade No2:

I've picked up 2 of these recently, sadly no extra blades. They are excellent shavers.

I've had a couple of those wondrous shavers. You might try using a needle to clean out the socket at the fixed end of the blade. You're idea of wax may be an answer to the wobble
correct as to the threading of the set screw, I've tried to find a replacement that will work. Haven't been able to. Even tried to check with French sources. There were quite a few manufacturers because Jaques didn't patent the razor and its design features.
I'm too shaky to use a straight anymore but those were among my favorites.
Good shaves to you!
-Richard

Originally Posted by joamo

I've picked up 2 of these recently, sadly no extra blades. They are excellent shavers.

There is a seller on Etsy who is selling Leresche Serre-File frameback NOS blades. Damn similar profile.

Bought one (well two really because the shipping was 50% of the price for one... and now I've spent more on these possibly useless replacement blades than I did for the razor set). I'll let you know if they fit... will take a couple weeks to get here because international shipping to Bahrain from Europe is a little dodgy.

Originally Posted by Geezer

I've had a couple of those wondrous shavers. You might try using a needle to clean out the socket at the fixed end of the blade. You're idea of wax may be an answer to the wobble
correct as to the threading of the set screw, I've tried to find a replacement that will work. Haven't been able to. Even tried to check with French sources. There were quite a few manufacturers because Jaques didn't patent the razor and its design features.
I'm too shaky to use a straight anymore but those were among my favorites.
Good shaves to you!
-Richard

Thank you for the feedback. I'll likely try wax... worst case scenario I can stick the metal end in boiling water and get it all out. I would not want to do something permanent (epoxy, etc.).

I know I can shave and strop with it as is... honestly I think honing would likely be fine as well. It's just one of those things that I'd rather get it right than make do.

Edit: Another thought might be to break off a toothpick as a shim, for the set screw to push on... I might try that...