Thread: 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.

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?

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.

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

did you contact the vendor?

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?

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