Thread: When Pins Cannot Be Tightened

Originally Posted by WW243

I'm doomed!

Not so bad. It would behoove you to drill the head off of at least one side and gently wrestle it out. You will see what you have!
I have seen crushed scales which never got tight with bent pins. As one is installed, it might be slightly bent, but works fine.
A hundred years later, the horn has dried out and as trying to tighten, too much tapping will result in the pin folding on over. From there, it is hopeless!
As to pin length, I have a saying 'Always make the top pin too short. If you make it just right, it will be too long!'
We must take into consideration the extreme taper of the tang on most old Sheffields. As you peen to tighten, the scale will need to conform to this taper. This tends to make pins seeming just right too long! Also the taper is reversed as the razor is opened fully. The ends of the scales may bind on the tang. I tighten a lot of them with the razor half or fully open and sometimes add a spacer on either or both sides to even things out. All are different, it seems!