Thread: Pinning: Tight or loose?

This is a question more geared toward the stropping realm than the restoration realm, but I think it probably is better suited to this forum than the stropping forum considering it's about the actual pins and not the stropping itself...if that makes any sense.

Is having a tightly pinned razor a necessity, or are loosely pinned razors generally ok too? I'm still struggling to strop my Boker Edelweiss properly, and I think I've determined that the pinning is one of the variables that make that razor feel uncomfortable in my hand. When I strop my Wolfertz, which is more loosely pinned, I can feel the scales rotating slightly to accommodate my palm, and this allows me to strop quickly and smoothly. With the Boker, the scales/pins are stiff, and they don't rotate in my palm, which makes the razor feel clunky and like I have to reposition each stroke.

Is it possible to loosen the pin in the Boker a little bit? Or does this mean I need to strop differently?

That's real interesting... I am the opposite - the scales rest on my fingers and I prefer them to be tight.
If they are too loose it makes stropping very difficult for me.

Little hint:

Take the razor and hold it spine up in both hands with your forefingers and thumbs resting lightly on the pins...

Flip the razor spine down, do not squeeze the scales or the pins, does the razor open by just the weight of the blade ??? if it does then I consider the pins too loose...


My other test is that the razor should sit in the half open posistion without closing, you ever noticed that so many restorers use this type of shot when showing off custom scales ???



It shows that the pins are tight and the razor is built square and even, all from just a pic If the scales are uneven, loose, or built off kilter, the razor won't stand pretty without support..

Many factory scaled razors will not stand without support, not good or bad just the way it is



Anyway that is just my opinion take it for what it's worth as I am +1 with Eric I can't strop with too loose a razor

Originally Posted by HNSB

That's real interesting... I am the opposite - the scales rest on my fingers and I prefer them to be tight.
If they are too loose it makes stropping very difficult for me.

Exactly the same for me, I really dislike loose scales

I don't mind so much if the blade is a little loose in the scales as long as it tightens up at the stropping position. A loose blade while stropping is the road to rolled edges and sliced strops IMO.

well ok then. I guess I need to work on my stropping then, don't I?

I feel like I lose all control of the blade when it's loose in the stropping position.

Originally Posted by U2Bono269

well ok then. I guess I need to work on my stropping then, don't I?

Have you added a drop of oil to the pivot? That will often loosen
it an also help keep rust from that area.

It will also loosen with use so do nothing special to hurry it.
Strop it slow and smooth and the two of you will find that
good things happen.

I also dont like loose scales, the must be tight for me.