Damaged my razor

[Saxmoore]

I was shaving a couple of days ago and went to put the razor down after a pass to rinse. In one of those I-Have-no-idea-how-it-happened moments, I guess I hit the side of the sink and the razor went flying off to the side and landed in the tub with a big CLANK.

It's a Gillette Slim Adjustable and there doesn't seem to be any cosmetic damage. However, it does seem as though there is a hitch in the giddyup when closing the doors. Actually, I think it may have been there and now I'm just being hyper aware now.

Anyways, just before the doors are completely closed, it hits a rough spot in the twisting and I have to apply a little more pressure to get it past that point.

Any mechanically inclined persons know what's going on? I've stared at the top and sides and I can't see any impingement anywhere while closing it. Any ideas?

 

[Oldguy]

It might just be dirt. Soak it in hot water and dish soap for an hour and see if that helps.

Len

 

[MOVIESTAR]

I agree.

 

[jakespoppy]

I have a very brassy Fatboy that has had a slight but noticable catch when twisting it closed, just before it finally closes. This is before the butterfly doors go all the way down, not the last tightening twist. Just this evening, I took a small knife and inserted it between the endcaps and the doors and gave a very, very gentle twist movement, prying them just enough to loosen them from being too tight. The catch is completely gone now. The butterfly doors were just wedged a little too tightly, probably from being dropped just like you did. If you try this, just be careful and don't twist too hard and pop the endcaps off. But if you do, you can just put them back on with adhesive. Good luck!

 

[luvmysuper]

I have a very brassy Fatboy that has had a slight but noticable catch when twisting it closed, just before it finally closes. This is before the butterfly doors go all the way down, not the last tightening twist. Just this evening, I took a small knife and inserted it between the endcaps and the doors and gave a very, very gentle twist movement, prying them just enough to loosen them from being too tight. The catch is completely gone now. The butterfly doors were just wedged a little too tightly, probably from being dropped just like you did. If you try this, just be careful and don't twist too hard and pop the endcaps off. But if you do, you can just put them back on with adhesive. Good luck!

Nice tip Randy. I've got one like that myself. I'm going to give it a go tonight.
Thanks.

 

[wizard]

I had a similar experience to this with my flare tip. It wasn't from dropping my razor though. It turned out to be from the 4 drops of wax or grease that was put on some razor blades. I could now see the build-up that was being left on the razor. I started wiping it off the blades that had it on them before putting them in the razor & my problem went away!

 

[Saxmoore]

I have let it soak in soapy water for a bit, but didn't notice any appreciable change. I have stared at this thing for several minutes trying to see where it is getting hung up, but haven't pinpointed it.

luvmysuper, did you try the knife trick? I'll probably try that tonight.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[luvmysuper]

I have let it soak in soapy water for a bit, but didn't notice any appreciable change. I have stared at this thing for several minutes trying to see where it is getting hung up, but haven't pinpointed it.

luvmysuper, did you try the knife trick? I'll probably try that tonight.

Thanks for the replies!

I did. It helped a lot, but it's not completely gone. I must admit I didn't twist much, I was afraid of hearing the resounding ping as my end cap flew off immediately before blinding me.

I may try it a bit more just to see if it helps.

 

[JD.E.]

Another useful thread here...

I had a slim with a bit of a hitch in it opening and closing and this thread helped a lot. A good way to check this out is to make sure that your safety bars, the area below the blade when one is inserted, are straight form all angles.

Hope it helps,

~JD

 

[buddydog]

A little mineral oil helps also.

 

[Saxmoore]

Another useful thread here...

I had a slim with a bit of a hitch in it opening and closing and this thread helped a lot. A good way to check this out is to make sure that your safety bars, the area below the blade when one is inserted, are straight form all angles.

Hope it helps,

~JD

Success!!!
I tried adjusting the end caps as Jakespoppy suggested but that didn't have any effect. After reading the thread that JD posted, I looked at the safety bars and couldn't see any difference. I couldn't find any kind of gap tools, but here is what I did.

I have a second SA that works perfectly and used that as a control. I took screw drivers from a jewelers set and turned them so the blade was perpendicular to the safety bar and inserted them in the gap. I moved up in size until I found a blade that just fit in. I went to the SA with the hitch and used that screwdriver blade to figure out with bar was bent down. Using a regular flat blade screwdriver, I then used the method in the thread that JD referenced to make some minute adjustments.

Voila!

Now I've noticed that there is some squeaking coming from the shaft as I twist it open and closed. Would the mineral oil take care of that? Where would I put it? I'm thinking with the doors open, perhaps at the top of the shaft/bottom of the head? What else might I use besides mineral oil since I don't have any.

Thanks for the help!

Sax