Thread: Why Use Traditional Pivot Pins Anymore?

Last year I had Max replace the pivot pin on a razor with one of his adjustable ones. I also got a Hart Steel razor with its hex nut pivot pin. Loose pivot pins have always annoyed me. I've done the tapping routine with the ball peen hammer numerous times. The pins tighten but eventually get loose again. Other than restoring a vintage razor, why use traditional pins anymore?

Most of the custom makers are using hex nuts for pivot pins. The Robert Williams SRP LE razor has a hex nut. There is now one Dovo model that I'm aware of that uses a hex nut. The advantages seem obvious to me. Are we continuing to use traditional pivot pins just because that's the way it was always done?

LOL it is rather funny you put it that way, I have been asked to replace way more "Screws" then I have been asked to replace "Pins" ...

In fact except for Max's razors, which I know he does a special way, I have been asked to replace every custom maker's screws for pins over the years because they continually loosen and people get tired of searching for the wrench..

I guess that old addage of YMMV applies, because the last switch out I did this past week was the other way around from pins to screws

I think on customs the new way may be a better way,It is without question an easier way,you can make easy adjustments.
But would never use it on a vintage blade.To many traditions fall by the wayside today,the old blades never had nuts and bolts,they should remain the way they were,IMO.

I'm in favor for pins. Always have. You rarely see me use a torx screw or adjustable on any of my work unless asked for. A perfect and well executed peening job will last. It did for the past 200 years as that's what they've used forever. The only downside with peening are some materials, ex softer woods, that no matter how good the peening is, eventually do loosen up. But the torx or adjustable would need to be tightened also.

I tend to be a traditionalist in most things, but with my razors I prefer hex nuts and Torx screws. Some people are good at peening pins tight once they loosen up. I'm lousy at it. I may have devalued some of my razors by resorting to more modern methods, but I do enjoy the easier adjustability (for me anyway), and I can do the adjustments myself. To each his own. My experience has been that when a heavy 11/8 or larger razor gets loose, it can be pretty intimidating. I've been married twice, so I'm already as intimidated as I need to be.

I tried hex nuts and torx screw. Eventually I just went back to pins.
Proper pins will stay tight far better than either torx or hex nuts.
The idea of using adjustable things seems interesting at first, and much better.
But when you've used them for a while, the glamour fades and you realize that if you had just pinned them properly first time round, you wouldn't be left with something that you need to readjust every so often. And especially with larger blades, they tend to wiggle slightly too loose for comfort.

The only use I have for nuts is during construction, to assemble everything and see if things fit and line up properly.

Pins done right just have a classy look to them. Also you know someone had to take time and care to install each one. The screws just to me give a factory assembly line, rushed to get out the door look. To each their own.

For me at least, I like pins. I want to be able to say that when I make a new set of scales that I created as much of what was done as I could. And pins give that classic look no matter what scale design you choose to use.

For me its the aesthetics. pins are less obtrusive, and slimmer in overall nature. Nuts, by necessity, require either a thicker scale to counter sink the head into to lessen its obtrusiveness, or, simply be "noticeable"

I have thought about pins and screws. I like the look of some screws but wonder about them coming loose. Does anybody use thread locker (Loc tite) on them ? And which one ? Permanent might be a little hard to just tighten later or take apart defeating the whole purpose. Trade offs it looks like.