Thread: Razor Maintenance

Originally Posted by Fatoxious

So here's some Moody photos of my razor. Not sure what it is or what it's made of. I'll give the toothbrush treatment a go!

Looks like you have a vintage Gillette Slim adjustable. They were made of brass and then plated. If you are using a toothbrush, use one that is marked "soft" and go easy on the plating.

IIRC, you asked about making adjustments in your original post. Were you referring to the adjustments on the razor from 1 to 9? If so, 1 is the mildest setting with aggression getting more each step up the scale with 9 being the most aggressive setting. Just use whichever one you is most comfortable for you.

Bob

Thanks Bob!

As for adjusting, I mean more like, do I need to adjust it? Do the heads go out of alignment or anything like that? It doesn't feel bad, just not sure if it needs monthly/annual/decadely work...

One thing i learned with these adjustables is to be sure if you are gong to change the number/adjust for a bit more aggressiveness, be sure to do it with the doors open. Or at least not locked down with a blade in it. Tweaks things and thats not good.

I know his is not what you were talking about. I just wanted to throw it out there. I cant imagine anyway bezides dropkicking it across the room that anything would get bent and need adjusted.

Originally Posted by Fatoxious

Thanks Bob!

As for adjusting, I mean more like, do I need to adjust it? Do the heads go out of alignment or anything like that? It doesn't feel bad, just not sure if it needs monthly/annual/decadely work...

OK, Just keep it clean and it should keep going. Like Gasman says unless you damage it by dropping or something nothing normally need be done.

Bob

There is some adjustment that can be made, on the TTO, Adjustable and is sometimes needed if the razor has been dropped.

They were made of brass, so a fall from sink height or into a sink, landing on the head is enough to knock the head and gaps out of alignment.

Start by looking at your razor gaps without a blade installed and the razor closed. The gaps should be the same from end to end. (right and left) and the other side when flipped 180 degrees at the same setting. If the gap does not appear to be the same, it may have been dropped.

Install a blade and measure the gap at the different settings, they should fall in line with the factory setting posted below and on other sites, most importantly from side to side and to the opposite side.

To adjust the razor, it should be disassembled. You will need to make some tooling to do so and there are several sites and videos demonstrating the process and tooling needed. Be careful the metal is soft and can bend and finish easily scratched.

The bent parts will have to be identified and carefully straightened and the razor reassembled. Depending on what you paid, or the Provenance of the razor will determine if you want to tackle this yourself or send it out. Disassembly can easily further damage or destroy a Gillette TTO adjustable.

Here is a short write up on measuring blade gap, which is where you want to start.

Gillette, TTO blade gap.