Thread: Centering the blade

I have a razor with the blade tending to hug one side of the scales. There is also some looseness at the pivot. To tighten the pin and center the blade, should I tap on the pivot pin on the side the blade is hugging, or the opposite side?

I'm no expert on this so maybe I shouldn't say anything but in general when you pin a blade you tap both sides and tap equally around the pin so it flattens out equally. I would think in your case you would tap with emphasis on that part of the pin where the blade seems to be looser. If it seems to be a one side problem I would try just tapping the loose side. I'm sure the experts will chime in.

Thanks. Just to clarify, the looseness is slight and even. You worded it better - I guess what I meant was what side would I need to tap on preferentially to make the blade more centered.

It does not always work, but you tap it on the oppisite side that the blade is hugging to straighten it out. If it does not work you may have a bent pin, the taper on the tang is slightly off, or your scales are slightly warped. Try just tapping on the oppisite side first. If that does not work to your satisfaction you can remove the pin. Then add a small washer between the handle, and blade on the oppisite side that the blade is hugging. Those are the two least evasive ways to correct your problem. Remember just tap lightly when peening. Bent pins just recreate your problem.

Try bending you scales. I had some old fake tortoise scales that were rubbing against the blade and I bent them under warm water then let them set under cold.

I was prepared to accept them breaking on me though.

What is the scale material? I peen pins all the way around and if the blade is off center and it is celluloid or other plastic I heat them up to get them to move over.

Anytime you put heat to any plastic scale you must use caution. If it is going to do something like melt or ignite, it will do it in a hurry. Use only the minimum heat necessary to what you need to do.

Originally Posted by 1adam12

Then add a small washer between the handle, and blade on the oppisite side that the blade is hugging.

In all of my experience it is actually adding a washer to the side where the blade touches the scales that works, not the opposite side.