Thread: Help with tightening a pin.

I'm having trouble with a recent ebay special. The pins are loose and are not getting tighter with quite a few taps of the tack hammer. I'm sure I've tapped each side 50+ times. It's so loose in the open position that its very difficult to hone and more difficult to strop.
the pins do not seem like a typical brass rod with washer, but I'm not so sure.
Any suggestions?


Here is the razor


and here is a close up of the pivot pin

It looks like nickel but it should tighten the same way as brass.

The pins do not look to match,

The logo I have never seen one like that on an ERN

ie: It looks as though somebody put those scales on that razor it also looks like from the very iffy Pics that they didn't quite know what they were doing,, Pins that are cut too long have a tendency to do > that inside the scales and razor pivot, basically they cannot be tightened they essentially become a spring..

I am really reaching here with a reason why 50 tpas hasn't worked and I am assuming that you are tapping with the correct pressure and hammer.. (Google gssixgun Pinning razor for a Youtube vid on pinning) to see what I am talking about...

Better pics will get you much better info

If it is still loose when open try this. open the razor fully, make sure you have a good grip on the tang first, give a few taps around the outer perimeter of the pin, close the razor, repeat, open and peen some more. Keep closing peening, opening and peening until it is tight, then check your blade alignment and adjust from there. Glen made a good point, if the previous owner did a shoddy job, repinning the razor may be in order.

Could be a shadow effect, but the right side of the washer in the bottom picture doesn't look like it is seated all the way on the scale, which means that the peen isn't putting pressure against the tang to hold it snuggly, I would look very closely around the bottoms of the washers to make sure they are seated properly before you continue, if they aren't you will more than likely have to replace the old pins.

I was reading another post about a fella having problems getting a pin down and in all the suggestions I never heard anybody say anything about stainless pins. The reason I bring this up is because I got some pin material at the local hardware ( with some advice I read somewhere) and it was stainless not nickel. I haven't even tried to use it because I fear I will be tapping till.............................................. ................

yes,
I think I concur with everyone. The washers do not look seated against the scales and the pins do seem a bit long. What still has me confused is why there is no change in anything when I tap on the pins. They just seem really hard.
I guess it's time for a re-pin. Where's the best current place to get brass stock and washers?

Hey Mate, hope you're having a great Festive Season !!
I'm new to straight razors myself, but I make knives "a lot"....
This is where I get my pins from:
NorthCoast Knives Supplies2

I've just ordered some pins and washers from this guy, and he's razor sharp (sorry about that )
with answers to my newbie questions and the orders I've placed:
Maggard Razors – Straight Razor Restoration, Custom Scales and Wet Shaving Products » Restoration Supplies
He's on the 'bay as well.
Have a safe Festive Season

If they did receive a bad pinning job as mentioned above and if the pin is too long (which would explain why you haven't been able to tighten it) then you can try to file the pin down a bit and then try tapping it with the hammer again.

Peening can only do so much if the pin is too long.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Pins that are cut too long have a tendency to do > that inside the scales and razor pivot, basically they cannot be tightened they essentially become a spring..

Originally Posted by biminyrd

What still has me confused is why there is no change in anything when I tap on the pins. They just seem really hard.

If you try to file the pin and continue tapping it might work, or it might snap the scales.. when the pins start bending inside the razor they don't "stop" and if they have enough room you will create a compression bulge which will crack the scale The only way of knowing is to try and push the envelope...

I have some pics of pins I have taken apart on one of the computers, I will see if I can't find them for you guys to see, you would be rather surprised at how bent they actually can get in there...