Thread: Need some help with old replaceable blade set

Been working on this set and all has been coming along well... Till now. Blades polished and the first two honed up beautifully. When to remove blade and it's not coming off. I've got a basic idea of how the locking mechanism works but the this year hing has me stumped. The button should push straight up to actuate a lever that locks the blade in place. I've pushed the button as hard as I'm willing to push it and it's not releasing. Hard to tell if the button is even moving. Has anyone ever taken one of these apart. Any ideas to get this thing out without disassembly? Yes those are "natural"scales

Could be some rust or other crud in there keeping it from releasing. You could try using a needle applicator to carefully let a drop or two of WD40 into the opening the button sits in. Let it penetrate for a while and gently try the button again. I would be worried about any oil used slopping over and staining what I take to be ivory scales so maybe this is not the best idea going.

Hopefully some else will have a better idea.

Bob

I was thinking about dropping some mineral oil in there. Mineral oil should be good for the scale material.

I've never had one at hand but doesn't that button push in to lock and pull out to release?

I am not familiar with the locking system, That said, a gentle pressure on the button while gently wiggling the blade may loosen the assembly. The photo of the button shows the blade to be a bit higher and there could be crud under the blade to push it higher into the locking latch. Relax, walk away and let your subconscious sort it out!
Good luck
Hippocratic oath: above all do no damage.
~Richard

Hope this might help a little.

I seem to have a very similar set sitting in my "to be restored" section.

And this is hard to photograph but I wanted to get this out before the week got in the way.

The notch on the blade is opposite the "button" when you insert the razor.
When you press the button down the locking mechanism moves up or away from the button to allow the blade to release.

You may have a small piece of debris (FOD) jamming the leaf spring like system, keeping the notch from going "up" (and out of the way)
The first image does not show it clearly - but in the locked position there is a visible gap between the locking tab and the "frame"
A small piece of anything could jam the tab in the locked position. (the dark area to the right of the bright tab)

Without the blade this is a small amount of play if you pull up on the locking button. This might give you enough slack to get the FOD to fall back toward the tang end and in to the cavity - long enough to release the blade.

Looking in, with the "button" on the left and the locking tab is visible inside (you can see the shine)




Showing how they insert




Interestingly when I examined the blades more closely I found that one is a Joseph Elliot and the others are G. Willis, the all work and appear to be the same size.

Two do not have top jimps - the rest do.
The exterior of the box is not bad considering the age but the top is separated from the hinge.
So it would not be hard to imagine these being mixed with other sets in the last 180 or so years...

If only they could talk...

Good luck with your issue - let us know how it goes..

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I've tried everything and it just won't budge. The owner of the set is going to take it to a jeweler to be disassembled and repaired. I'll get it back when he's done and finish honing the blades.