Thread: new guy question...but I didn't screw anything up yet.

I found a Genco at the antique store, bought it cause the blade wasn't in awful shape, would take off arm hair in the store. so a little cleaning and honing I am good to go....
not so much. the blade is extremly loose in the scales, and the pins have been hammered almost flush. One side of the scales is slightly cracked.
You can see from the pictures. I have no kids running around and my girlfriend wouldn't dream of touching my razors (she hates them) but my friends get curious and always ask before they grab them. but in case one of them pics it up I do not want the blade to come out so before i hone it up. best way to remove? i thought about drilling but wasn't 100% and I have only worked on 2 razors.
read, search, then ask...before you start not after.
sorry for such a trivial question

The crack is contributing to why it's been whacked so hard to try and tighten.

Unpinning the razor, it will still be cracked in the most delicate of spots.

I imagine the question is can you take apart, and reassemble tight. You have to hope some how you could stabilize that high stress area. I do not feel comfortable to say the scales can be saved.

As an excersise, you would want to drill it out, using care not to overheat.

Attempt to patch the celluloid with acetone, super glue, or making a splint liner, and repin.

That brings back to original concern that results may not be satisfactory, and direct success may dictate scale replacement.

Just my $.02. Keep in mind I'm jaded since I love making scales. I probably have a slanted point of view

Edit
Above comment not trying to be too harsh. I have and would make a similar repair on vintage scale materials that one may consider valuable. Knowing this is not an heirlom or precious material, I would not feel bad ditching what appears ,from the partial pic, as generic scales.

thank you. if i get it apart without causing more damage, I have acrylite epoxy (normally used on boats i think) I was going to use it to back fill the crack. I bought it at woodcraft, and it has been holding the neck onto my upright bass with full string tension for years. just didnt know the best way to remove it. my normal method wont work cause the pins are flat. thank you!!!!

If using that epoxy to "back fill" sand down some of the rear of the scales at the affected area and fill the larger area, instead of just filling the crack. I think that may be a good approach.

If you de-pin the razor I would suggest replacing the scales. If you want to try and glue the scales, do that first, them wrap some dental floss or thread between one scale and the shank of the razor at the pivot pin. This will take up some of the gap between the razor and the scales at the pivot area. This will not be a permanent fix but can be repeated as needed and should last a good while. Good luck.

thanks joed, that is a helpful tidbit