Thread: King Cutter Question

Hello gents,
I just picked up a King Cutter and have a few questions about it. Unfortunately I don't have my camera with me so I'll have to attempt a description of the razor.
It has the 1924-1935 tree trademark on it's side, followed by H.Boker & Co. and Soligen underneath. There are jimps on the shank (top) and has a spike point. The scales are black synthetic.
Apart from some slight discoloration along it's edge, the razor looks brand new...no "frowning" (to my untrained eye it doesn't even look like it's been honed) and shiny unscratched scales (under a magnifying glass there are some tiny scratches about 1/8in long, running perpendicular to it's length.)
Now my questions: The pivot pin is centered on one scale but off center on the other (so that one scale is higher than the other). The razor still fits perfectly centered in the scales though. Would Boker have shipped a razor like this or has it been re-scaled?
Second question: I have some chromium oxide finishing paste and was wondering if I could use it to remove the discoloration on the blade (a little dab of paste on a rag and a lot of elbow grease). And would this do any harm to the "King Cutter" etching?
Thanks for your time,
Tom

would like to see to be sure of what you are tlaking about. But IMO you have a bent pivot pin. When I first started restoring I was a little agressive with "tapping" the pin heads to get a snug fit. if you do this you risk bending the pin when you hit too hard and the result will throw the scales out of alignment(even if the blade centers). What you have to do is repin(more that likely). or maybe when they repinned then could have damaged one of the holes (enlarged it) somehow which would do the same thing.
yes i have destroyed some razors myself

as to cleaning the discoloration Ive womdered the same thing with the CrOx but have not tried it. but any metal polish should be ok (most here seem to prefer MAAS).

Hope this helps, Good Luck
jeremy

Tom, IME I've seen King Cutters and other Bokers with a tree logo embossed in the scale but I've seen others without it. It is possible that the scales were tightened to the point where the pivot pin bent and left them askew. I've done that myself on a couple early on. So it is hard to say whether they are original. OTOH, if they are working and you are alright with the appearance that is all that matters.

A metal polish like Maas, Semichrome, Flitz or Wenol may get rid of the tarnish. It will help for sure if it doesn't completely remove it. Chrom-ox may work as it is a fine abrasive. I've never tried that application. Watch your fingers. I've sliced a thumb pad cleaning tarnish off of edges with a paper towel and metal poish.

Edit; Jeremy said it all and posted while I was still typing

If it look's like heat dicolor then its prob from tempering and IE "Untouched" I have many King's that have the discolor about a 1/8 inchwide(about to the etching) and runs the lenth of the edge. I dont mind it when buying what is suposed to be a untouched razor.

I have mostly only seen it in KingCutter's from this era!

Just my 2 for what its worth!