Scale Tightening Question ?

I've tightened my share of scales on old razors and with the exception of a couple they were successfully done. OTOH, I have a few dubl ducks that are valuable with their original scales. The problem is that in tightening those they are good and tight when open in stropping or shaving position but become looser than I like when I go to close them. To where I have to be careful when closing them.

If they weren't original scales I would probably take my chances but I sure would hate to crack a Wonderedge scale or bend the pin trying to squeeze another millimeter out of it. Any thoughts, tips ?

As you know Jimmy, DD's are my specialty when it comes to vintage restores...

I love the look, hate the material....

They are probably the worst scales out there, maybe because the are more valuable then most others.. There really are no tricks to them, other than move very, very, very, slowly :) Taking them apart is almost as bad as putting them back together......

DD's do have a definite front and back though, just like DOVO's hitting the front pin is just asking for trouble....always adjust them from the backside....

BTW that trick I post about tapping the really sensitive part of your finger right at the edge of the cuticle, that works honest it really does...Tap no harder than what hurts your finger and it is pretty safe...

Thanks Glen. I may leave well enough alone. I hardly ever shave with them anyway. OTOH, it bothers me that a couple of them are like that. If I do take a shot though it will definitely be from the back side. Thanks for the tip as I wouldn't have thought of that.

I have a Satinedge like that Jimmy. Not loose open, just when I'm closing it (blade wobbles a bit there too) so i have to be real careful not to let the blade hit the scales :(

I may try repinning it, so thanks Glen! I will be sure to take extra special care with the DD scales :)

Rob it might be obvious to you, but for anyone else reading along, take them apart from the backside too...

I try to explain it in this thread

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...e-pinning.html

That shows exactly what I was talking about with only a one side locking collar also...
Some pins have two locking collars one one each side so that you flip the razor back and forth as you tighten them in...
Others like the DD's, Dovo's, TI's have basically a "nail" head on the show side and a collar on the backside... That was what I meant by tapping the front side was a no-no it doesn't do anything but smash and bend the pin...

With the few Wonderedges I have I found the scale material very unstable and full of stress. One I pucked up a a local antique shop looked like a pregnant guppy where one scale budged out some where just off center. I parked in it my safe w/ silacone packs for a month or so and the bulge reduced a lot. I made a wood space to fit between the scales when the blade was open and heated the side that was bulged with a hair drier till it was very warm to the touch. Then I pressed on the scale with the eraser at the end of a pencil to be sure the scale didn't bulge out again and moved the hair drier further away from the scales slowly and then moved the hot air onto and off of the scales increasing the off time slowly to allow the scales to cool slowly, like annealing brass but at a much cooler temp. Honed the razor up, shaved with it, put it back in the safe, shaves with it about six weeks later and the scales didn't move. Just took it out for the meet and the scales didn't more back yet. Looks like a good fix. If you duck is tight in one position and loose in another the scales may be warped slightly in the area the blade is loose and may benefit by heating with a hair drier and pressing in the area you want to move. Be sure the other areas don't move while doing this by making a spacer to fit between the scales. Good luck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Rob it might be obvious to you, but for anyone else reading along, take them apart from the backside too...

I try to explain it in this thread

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...e-pinning.html

That shows exactly what I was talking about with only a one side locking collar also...
Some pins have two locking collars one one each side so that you flip the razor back and forth as you tighten them in...
Others like the DD's, Dovo's, TI's have basically a "nail" head on the show side and a collar on the backside... That was what I meant by tapping the front side was a no-no it doesn't do anything but smash and bend the pin...

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Yes, sorry Glen. Excellent point! Thanks for the clarification :D