Thread: Discussion: Why do we use pivot washers?

I think that I buy the different materials approach that you guys are talking about. I doubt that you need a washer with your CF scales Alex, but I'd prefer to use them on wood scales to prevent friction and wear.

Just to fan the flames, I have not done as many as Alex or Glen, but I think only 1 out of the 20 or so of just my own razors I've worked on did not have washers. *pulls pin and walks away

I think that years ago razor makers knew that there would be a gap in time where much razor knowledge would be lost, and then one day a bunch of razor enthusiasts would try to regain that lost knowledge.
The head razor guy of the razor guy league thought it would be funny to put washers in there so that one day people would say, "I wonder what these are for?"

I reckon about 50 - 60 per cent of the ones I dismantle have them - BUT - if I grouped them into groups according to the age of the razor, then in certain groups 80 per cent or more would have them.

I don't think it is anything to do with blade centering - like Alex says, adding equal thicknesses of washer on either side of the tang cancels any biasing out.

As far as I can make out it is to do with scale thickness and adding clearance for the tang to pivot - a real concern with faceted tangs and stiff scales; scale delicacy - never seen ivory scales without them; and high-end razors where the scales may scratch the tang.

I'm not sure that it has much to do with friction - I think 'friction washer' is a modern term and we are backdating modern terminology to make it fit in with what we percieve the name to mean.

I don't think that they help clear water from the pivot - to the contrary in fact - the layer of water trapped between the tang and the washer would be next to impossible to blow away.

I have seen the raised area that Glen mentions, and also - rarely - a sort of cupped or sprung washer which acted not to centre the blade but the oversized hole in the tang.

If I had to choose a reason, I guess I would go for avoidance of wear due to abrasion, both on the scale and the tang.

Regards,
Neil

Originally Posted by Neil Miller

If I had to choose a reason, I guess I would go for avoidance of wear due to abrasion, both on the scale and the tang.

IOW, to avoid friction

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

IOW, to avoid friction

Damn you Jimmy - I sense another 'LMAO Old Fart' coming in from Glen...

Mother said that there would be days like this...

Nope I'll let the "Old Fart" remark slide (this time) but I am still giggling


Times like this is when I really enjoy this forum ....