I managed to pick one up on ebay France this morning. It certainly looks an interesting concept but I don't know anything about them. Has anyone got any experience with them? I'd be interested in finding out more.
http://i.ebayimg.com/21/!B0b,Fdg!2k~...YMZ!w~~_12.JPG
Terrific haul!
That is a type of razor that interests me personally. They were a turn of the century way of having a multi day set without having a great many razors. The were a few different styles and that Frenchy of yours is one of the first models that I am aware of. They were a combination of mass production for the frames, less material cost for the blades, and less grinding skill on the part of the blade maker's workers. The backs, as far as I know were of gun metal(bronze) or mild steel. I have seen a couple in a friend's collection. They should sharpen well and hold a good edge. If you like the shave with a heavy blade, you might even have new blades made for them out of tool steel by a CNC Lazer or abrasive cutting shop or, a good trial for you by using 01 tool steel from a purchased to thickness ground blank of the right width to make a few while you are at it! Mark them with a scriber and cut them out with a Jeweler's saw, then file, heat treat, grind, and hone.
Dose all liberally with Kroil or some Liquid wrench and twist the screw in and out while using almost no pressure to twist it ( say wiggle it??); after a while and a few applications of the lube, the screw will be loosened and removable. If all else fails don't break the screw but take it to a watchmaker and he has a trick or two to get it out. Then you have to clean it all before re-assembly. The screw will be metric but an odd pitch.
Did you get the special screwdriver with it in the case? It has a hole in the case to hold it vertically by itself
Hone one and try it after you sanitize all! including the case!!!!
A great find! Cheers!
~Geezer
great find lecoultres are one of my favorite razors. its not french but made in switzerland. tape the spine when you hone and be sure the screw and blade is tight.i have three of them and love them all.they take a wicked edge. enjoy