NOS Heljestrand from Invisible Edge - blade hits the scales when I close it

So I bought a #29 Heljestrand from The Invisible Edge, and the price was better than right, shipping was fairly fast, and all together I was very happy until I noticed that the blade is mounted in the scales so that it hits the scale on the left side every time I close it. I can of course keep it from doing it by bending it to the right (the scales are black plastic, so they bend easier than the blade), but it's obvious that it's been opened and closed several times before I got it, and the edge has some marks on it.

Now, sending it back is out of the question due both to shipping costs and the fact that it's not a big enough deal to warrant a return (still worth the price!), but is it worth rescaling it? The fact that the knife is made in "simple black plastic" does make it slightly more likely that I'll do so.

Of course, I can't do it myself, I'll have to get someone here in Norway to do it.

Welcome to SRP. Many times tapping the pin on the side opposite where the blade is making contact will move the blade enough to bring it to center or close enough to miss hitting the scale. This doesn't always work but it has worked for me in the past. If you go to the SRP library, in the toolbar above, or do a search in the workshop forum, you should be able to find tutorials on tightening scales. :gl:

Thanks, I'll have a look at that, and probably try it. Must be easier.

Just do it lightly and politely. If the blade is tight in the scales now it won't take much. It may correct it but worst case scenario it will crack the scale at the pivot so go easy. A very light hammer, like a 4oz head, is good. A friend of mine uses the back (rounded side) or a large table spoon. The roundness makes it less likely to miscue and hit the scale instead of the pin.

Welcome to SRP!

Are the scales straight? There's a chance they are warped and that's why the blade hits.

If it doesn't help to adjust it by tapping the pivot pin you can send me a PM and I can take a look at it.

I dont know whether it is common and of relevance, but the the blade might be fastened with microbolts

many razors new out of factory can have that problem, pin tapped too strong gets bent.
Scales not quite straight, the tang no quite straight. The vendor has no play in all that. You can tap the pin as suggested above, that can fix theproblem, but it can also make things worse. Make sure you check out some of the pinning threads before you attempt fixing the problem.

I got the same razor from the same place, I dont have that problem.
How do you find that razor to shave? i like it, gives a great shave! ONly problem is that i can shave with my two main razors (one a TR Cadman, the other a vintage glaswegian razor) without getting a nick, yet both times i used the Heljestrand i've cut myself! And the other two are shave ready and tested... could it be the difference in grind that's giving me problems, as my others are both near wedges?

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Originally Posted by mainaman

many razors new out of factory can have that problem, pin tapped too strong gets bent.
Scales not quite straight, the tang no quite straight. The vendor has no play in all that. You can tap the pin as suggested above, that can fix theproblem, but it can also make things worse. Make sure you check out some of the pinning threads before you attempt fixing the problem.

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in this case, I believe the vendor has fitted the scales.

did you contact the vendor?

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Originally Posted by Bren

I got the same razor from the same place, I dont have that problem.
How do you find that razor to shave? i like it, gives a great shave! ONly problem is that i can shave with my two main razors (one a TR Cadman, the other a vintage glaswegian razor) without getting a nick, yet both times i used the Heljestrand i've cut myself! And the other two are shave ready and tested... could it be the difference in grind that's giving me problems, as my others are both near wedges?

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It is probably the difference in steel. Swedish steel takes a wickedly sharp edge due to it's hardness, whereas vintage Sheffield steel is thought by many to be softer and gives a smoother shave. That's certainly true of most of the very old Sheffield steels, although with steel that was produced in a city that was steel capital of the world and famous for the many alloy steels it produced, there are always exceptions.

Regards,
Neil

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Originally Posted by Riba

in this case, I believe the vendor has fitted the scales.

did you contact the vendor?

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Based on what are you making that conclusion?

One other thing, as mainaman said , it is easy to go too far and crack the scale. Especially if you're not experienced at tightening a pin. I have razors that I have to guide into the scales when I close them. It is a PITA but better than a crack at the pivot.

I think post #5 says it all myself :)

You don't want to send it back to Steve at IE, and you have a fellow countryman that is a very good Restorist who is willing to help..

Sounds like a solution to me :)

that makes sense, thanks! I'm still learning :)

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Based on what are you making that conclusion?

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It is what is said on the site. It's a shame the OP is too far to warrant a return. Steve would solve it with no hassle.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

Based on what are you making that conclusion?

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because I have been eyeballing those razors too, I really like the look of them.

Last time I asked this vendor for advice on a bought product he was very helpfull.

1. It is indeed fastened with bolts.
2. I'll not try to fix the problem myself.
3. I'll see Zephyr in a few weeks at the Oslo Razorcon, so I'll bring it and we'll discuss it then :)
4. It shaves BEAUTIFULLY! Note that I'm just getting started with straights, but so far the difference from the bog-standard Dovo Schloss-Burg I've been using is night and day. The size is better for my, and the edge is sharper than I can get the Dovo by myself, so I'm using this exclusively for now.

As for the shaving problems, I can't help you since I'm brand new at this, but I would suggest more time holding it and wielding it. It's very light, and slightly off balance due to the plastic scales, so practicing at using it would probably be worth the time.

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Originally Posted by tofagerl

1. It is indeed fastened with bolts.

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In that case the tapping is not going to be the solution at all. Maybe a washer on one side or the other, maybe warped scales. Send Steve an email and see if he won't send out another pair of correct scales at no charge if they are warped. He is good on customer service.

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

In that case the tapping is not going to be the solution at all. Maybe a washer on one side or the other, maybe warped scales. Send Steve an email and see if he won't send out another pair of correct scales at no charge if they are warped. He is good on customer service.

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Absolutely, +1. Even if you don't fancy sending it back etc, drop Steve a line and see what he thinks.

OK, sent him pictures and suggested that if he has some other scales that will fit, I'll take them of his hands for a nice price. Then I'll have to learn how to rescale razors, which could be fun.

OK, Steve wants to fix it, which is great! I'll send it to him and try to go without while it's gone...

Maybe I'll try a beard in the meantime :)

Hi - now I can at last get back on the forum, just a note for anyone re these razors - they are fitted with TI Supergnome scales as these are the only ones small enough to fit that are commercially available. These are quite soft black plastic and do take a curve rather more easily than we would like! The fixing is indeed microbolt. I do remember this razor and it was OK when it left, how the scales went a la boomerang is beyond me!
BTW our policy is that if anyone is unhappy for any reason with our products, we will repair/replace/refund at their request and refund postage. Just so you know!

I just want to add that these things are in the same series as the M***K 30, 31, 32, 33 and 134, which are highly regarded Swedish razors. I have a bunch and they look, feel and shave wonderfully well. Great design very well made and take a very good edge that will hold for quite some time. I haven't noticed any harshness in shaves compared to other razors, though, but that might be me.

Just got a new one back from Steve. He wanted to keep the originals, I assume he wanted to find out what had gone wrong.
Anyway, the new one is perfect in every way, and I highly recommend it! It's real tiny, and goes through beard like it's butter.

+1 on service for Steve, I have purchased from him a few times, very fast delivery and always well packed etc... good on him for resolving to your satisfaction

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Originally Posted by AlanII

Absolutely, +1. Even if you don't fancy sending it back etc, drop Steve a line and see what he thinks.

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Should not be a problem, i broought one too,,,,,if you read the description its says , blanks brought, scales fitted by us frm ti, if steve fitted them, he will have no problem changing them