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  1. #1
    Thread Killer shuredgefan's Avatar
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    Default Anyone thought of using a magnet as 3rd pin?

    I'm probably not the only one uncomfortable with the fact that straight razors don't have positive mechanisms for holding the blade closed, kind of like the back springs on pocket knives. They depend on friction alone.

    Has anyone seen or heard of using a magnetic rod as the plug or third pin in a str8 handle to hold the blade shut until needed?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Big Red's Avatar
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    would it be strong enough to hold the blade closed?

  3. #3
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    Are you telling us you have a number of razors that will not stay closed without assistance?
    I have never heard of such a thing so just asking. Perhaps your pins need tightening.

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    Senior Member tjiscooler's Avatar
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    A few of mine open up way too easy, i tried hammering on the pins on either side to tighten them but it made no difference and i was hitting pretty hard...are they too hard to tighten? I think using a magnet would be cool.

  5. #5
    Senior Member blabbermouth ChrisL's Avatar
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    Great idea! I bookmarked that page for possible future reference.

    Thanks.

    Chris L
    "Blues fallin' down like hail." Robert Johnson
    "Aw, Pretty Boy, can't you show me nuthin but surrender?" Patti Smith

  6. #6
    Thread Killer shuredgefan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Red View Post
    would it be strong enough to hold the blade closed?
    Don't know but Rare Earth magnets can be pretty strong.

  7. #7
    Senior Member smythe's Avatar
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    A magnet would be great to hold the blade closed in the scales.
    However the magnet will be of no use if your blade is so loose that it flops around while honing or stropping.

    ...Edit: unless the magnet contacts and holds the tail so the blade stays firmly open while honing or stropping.
    Last edited by smythe; 06-16-2008 at 12:39 AM.

  8. #8
    Renaissance Man fritz's Avatar
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    Arrow

    Quote Originally Posted by tjiscooler View Post
    A few of mine open up way too easy, i tried hammering on the pins on either side to tighten them but it made no difference and i was hitting pretty hard...are they too hard to tighten? I think using a magnet would be cool.
    It could be you have an internal bushing that is keeping the scales apart even though the pins are tight. And, the inside of the scales are worn so the razor is too loose.
    If the razor is too loose when closed, it's likely that it's too loose for proper stropping, honing, and perhaps shaving. Even if a magnet would work, you would have to completely re-pin the razor to install it. So, your first step is to remove the pivot pin and figure out what the problem is. You might want to re-pin using the #0-80 screws, nuts and washers (the "adjustable" pins). A pair of the #0-80 nylon washers from the same source might be advisable between the scales and the tang. See this post.

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  10. #9
    Plays with Fire C utz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tjiscooler View Post
    ..... i tried hammering on the pins on either side to tighten them..... i was hitting pretty hard...
    You shouldn't have to hammer the pins hard to tighten them. Actually, you shouldn't hammer the pins hard at all! You will greatly run the risk of bending the pin (between the scales) and causing the blade to close off center (and the blade will then hit scales when closing).

    There have been many posts here on tightening the pivot pin. Basically, with one side of the pin on a hard surface, you use a ball-peen hammer (or the rounded convex part of a spoon) and tap around the pin head/collar (NOT a direct hit). Flip to the other side and repeat. This should tighten the pin area.

    As for the magnet idea, I think it's rather clever! I have a bunch of the 'rare earth metal' magnets around work that may just foot the bill.

    NOW, if I ever find the time to actually get back to restoration.....I'll look into it!
    (On the list with leather scales......)

    Thanks for the idea!!

    C utz

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    Quote Originally Posted by shuredgefan View Post
    Don't know but Rare Earth magnets can be pretty strong.
    Rare earth magnets have strong magnetic fields, but they are weak! As in the break and chip easily. I have a stack of rare earth magnets, and once, I took one of the magnets, held it so it was just barely strong enough to pull itself into the group, and when I let go, it went into the group, but the magnetic force was so strong, that it went in pretty hard and broke itself into like 5 smaller pieces.

    That's not all though, they chip a lot. So I wouldn't really suggest rare earth magnets as pin. They'd be the weakest pins you'd ever encounter. Other magnets that have weaker magnetic fields don't break or chip as easily. You can get some pretty strong ones that they may hold in the blade.

    And also, as pointed out, if there's an issue with the pivot, then when you use it in any other way, it'll just flop around, which isn't good either. So I would suggest just tightening the pivot.

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