Thread: Odd Problem with Red IMP...

I bought a Case Red Imp off Ebay the other day, when it arrived I noticed that the blade did not close..The pin wasn't super tight or anything, its the razors construction...The blade hits the wedge on the way down! Also the wedge itself seems like it was never ground down.

Did I buy some factory defect razor? The seller DID NOT mention any of this, and there was no picture of the razor closed. Should I send it back for a refund? I payed a lot more then I meant to on it and its definitely not worth what I got it for. Should I fix it some how, hone it up and sell it? (this is like my third or fourth red imp so I don't really need another one.)

Sorry for the crude MS Paint picture...camera broke a while ago.
Thanks a lot,

I've had two of these things and saw one at an antique store one time and they all had the same problem. I never did fix them, I sold them to a CASE collector. He didnt seem to mind, of course he wasnt going to shave with them either. They are good razors though, just a problem with oversized wedge. Cant really give any advice, hopefully someone will come around.BTW if you rotate the wedge upwards and then slide the blade into the scales simultaneously moving the wedge with the blade you can close them.

I have a Wonderedge and a Satinedge that do exactly the same thing. Doesn't seem to hurt, although it is a bit annoying. I think the spacer swells or something.

John P.

Sounds like a bent pin?????

OK, In oder of likelihood if they are Red Imp scales
1. Check to make sure the wedge hasn't rotated into a crooked posistion...
2. Make sure somebody hasn't re-drilled and re-pinned the blade wrong...
3. The scales have warped enough to cause this...
4. This is a Case blade in a Morris set of scales
5. The factory screwed up... use a hacksaw blade, insert it between the scales, and cut back the wedge until it fits, if possible.....

I think the scales are original, they aren't as bright as my others but have the imp etched into the scale.
I Didn't seem to see any evidence that it was re drilled and pinned.
The scales are definitely warped but I'm not sure how that would affect it...

Also the wedge spins around, its able to be moved a bit before it stops and looks like its in the right position.
I think ill try the hacksaw blade if i can find one, I tried to spin it to sand the wedge but it didnt work...

Do you guys like my picture?

I've had two 132's; in had this problem and the other didn't. On the problematic one, the glue for the wedge was all gone, so the wedge would spin. I had to rotate the wedge as I closed the blade to get it in. On the other, some of the glue is missing, but the wedge stays still. It's very close to the wedge, but it clears. I think issues with the wedge or the wedge glue are pretty common on Case Imps.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

BTW if you rotate the wedge upwards and then slide the blade into the scales simultaneously moving the wedge with the blade you can close them.

Maybe this was meant to be a way to lock the blade in the scales. I have always felt razors miss a lock for the blade.

The scales actually shrink with time,I don`t know why but it seems to be more prevelent with case red imps
Kind regards Peter

My NOS Morris Red Imp 133 (which is a fantastic shaver, by the way) has the same problem. The point will just clear the wedge if I pull the blade backwards by the tail as I close it.