Thread: Why are the holes in some heavier razors bigger than 1/16"?

I have been re-pinning razors for a short time and have noticed that some holes in the blades are way bigger than 1/16". I have gotten some 3/32" tubing which has a 1/16" hole in it and inserting that in the blade and cutting to length. Is that the wrong thing to do? I like the way the razors come out but there has to be a reason that the holes are bigger, seems sloppy to me though.


Thanks,
Richard

My story that I am sticking too, is wear from thousands of openings and closings, and honings and stroppings....

Yes, BTW sleeving the oversize holes works just fine....

Gotta throw this in here... I'm not sure exactly but I've heard that they used to punch out the pivot hole from the hot steel rather than drilling it like we might do today. This made for uneven, oddly shaped, larger diameter holes since punching out steel wouldn't exactly have been precise. I don't think opening a razor wears the hardened steel more than it does the soft pin...

Let me add that the first electric drill was founded in 1889. I'm not SURE about the punch thing, but as I said, I've only heard that. Makes sense though or maybe in combination with something else. Without an electric drill in 1850, it seems to me that hand drilling a hole in the steel would have been an awful lot of work for all the razors being produced on a daily basis.

Yeah, I've heard the punching theory somewhere too.
Not wrong at all to use a bushing but you can also use larger rod & washers if you prefer.
70 - 80 thou rod & #1 washers work. You can bulls eye with 2's & 4's as well. Gives it a chunky look but that's ok on a big wedge.

Not a restorer (yet- at least until my WB blade arrives), but my humble guess beyond what these esteemed gents suggested is that they may have purposely made the holes and pins a bit larger on heavier razors for extra stability and dependability.

Originally Posted by kenneyty

Not a restorer (yet- at least until my WB blade arrives), but my humble guess beyond what these esteemed gents suggested is that they may have purposely made the holes and pins a bit larger on heavier razors for extra stability and dependability.

Can you explain your theory please?