Thread: Substitute rod for pins?

Hey, I have been tinkering with the idea of a re-scale and since I don't like the look of traditional pins all that much, I was thinking it would look pretty cool IMO to have a simple steel or aluminum rod, thicker than typical pins, replace the pins. I could just sand it flush at the sides of the scales. Here are the issues I can think of, can anyone think of others?

- would almost definitely have to drill wider hole through blade pivot point
- aluminum would corrode against SS blade

I haven't been around all that long, but I haven't seen anything with such pinning before. If anyone knows where I might find such a pic, that would be awesome

For most people who re-scale straight razors, brass or silver is the material of choice for the pins. The reason being the softness of the metal, which makes it much easier to peen. If you want a white metal, I'd suggest you use silver. To peen a pin in aluminum or steel would take forever. BTW, I don't think you'd have to drill a wider pivot hole through the blade, as they are usually quite a bit wider than the regular sized pin. If you just want the end of the pin look wider, a washer of the desired size would do the trick.

True, it does take long to peen steel and aluminum, but it can be done. I did just what your talking about on my current favorite razor... the pins are stainless, and were cut a bit long and peened down to size, which created just enough of a domed head to trap the blade between the scales.

Any bigger than standard size pins are going to be harder and harder to peen correctly, and if you chose to use steel or aluminum you'd need a pretty good size hammer which means increased risk of DESTROYING your scales. But it CAN be done... with patience and steady hands.

Wow, nice razor Russel!

How about like using rods instead of pins, where there would be no head but it would be secured in the scales with adhesive?
EDIT: or even hidden pins, for that matter, that do not penetrate the outside of the scales?

You could make that work, but it wouldn't be as strong.

It would depend, partly, on how the blade fits in the scales when closed, if there is any outward force on the scales close to the pin chances are over time it'd break.

But as with most things, you never know till you try, so try it out on a razor you don't mind using as a guinea pig for a year, or a few, and then report back.