Thread: my first w&b plus 'letter opener'

After 4 weeks, I finally received my first w&b from the bay. It was rescaled (maybe restored as well??)by the seller. I know this because he also sells the same scales separately. My only issue is that the blade is not centered. I have to push the blade to the other side so it doesn't hit the scales when closing. I think removing a washer would fix it.

I also received a 3/8 razor that I bought just to have and to say that I have tried using a smaller razor. After seeing how small the blade actually was, I just used it to open the rest of my mail. I was surprised how sharp it was since it was doing nothing to my arm. I am just going to give it to the wife to replace her shavette.

You might be surprised how well that "letter opener" shaves.....i was

Very nice
Check the threads on centring the blade you may be able to just peen the pin to get it to move over
IIRC you tap the side you want the blade to move to, I know this works but just cant remember which side move where
Might save you unpinning it

It appears that they didn't get the wedge right. The "wedge" is not a wedge at all but a spacer in that razor. You may have to either replace it of cut that one down to the shape it is supposed to be so that the scales actually spread apart. As it is now the scales are parallel to each other and they shouldn't be, they should actually be under tension when the pivot and wedge are pinned.

Originally Posted by guitstik

It appears that they didn't get the wedge right. The "wedge" is not a wedge at all but a spacer in that razor. You may have to either replace it of cut that one down to the shape it is supposed to be so that the scales actually spread apart. As it is now the scales are parallel to each other and they shouldn't be, they should actually be under tension when the pivot and wedge are pinned.

Not sure that I understand. Do you mean to sand one side of the wedge to angle out? Based on the pictures of the scales he sells, the wedge is angled in.

updated with pictures. it seems he has some that angle in and some that angle out. have not seen one that is straight.

It's hard to tell from the picture but it does not appear to be a wedge. Part of your problem may be right there. Shave a little from each side so that the leading edge (razor side) stays parallel. If you were to remove material from one side to make it a wedge then the leading edge would be further forward in the scales than the other.

i did some traces of the razor and the scales. it seems the width of the scales is shorter at the toe by 2mm compared with the heel.

edit. as a comparison, i also measured my dovo and the width is the same from heel to toe.

second edit for clarification. i meant width of the space. so maybe the wedge is too thin???