Originally Posted by
UKRob
Going back to the OPs question on wedges - it's useful to explain why a wdge is considered necessary, as opposed to just a spacer.
If you take a look at traditional razor design, you see that the tang tapers towards the tail - therefore, peening at the pivot pin gets the scales tight but they then have to accommodate the tang at a wider point. This is where the wedge comes in - by designing the wedge so that the angle is about the same as the taper at the tang end, you will create a bow in the scales that should accommodate the blade at it's widest part without rubbing the scales.
Most restorers pin the wedge end before the pivot - it's always a good idea to test the whole set up with small screws beforehand.
Incidentally, a lot of custom makers do use screws instead of peened rod - they overcome the loosening problem by using products like Loctite Blue. The reason screws are not used so much on old blades is because the pivot hole needs to be re-drilled to accommodate the screw - this is not always easy on tempered steel - re-pinning is a much easier solution.