Gilette Fat Boy Friction/Stiffness in Handle

[superslomo]

I've been using my new to me old Fat Boy for a while now, and am enjoying the experience immensely. The only issue I'm having is that the knob to secure the blade, twisting the handle end, is becoming stiffer in action, and somewhat more difficult to use. Any trick here to getting it to free up a bit? I have a longer, slim gillette as well, which is rarely used, where I can feel the difference as it's still really easy to open and close the "bomb bay doors".

Obviously not something where you oil it, given the moisture, but what other options do I have?

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

Have you tried soaking it in hot soapy water for a few hours? That usually gets rid of the gunk that can get in the mechanisms of old razors.

 

[Haegar]

Try this: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Razor_cleaning_and_restoration

If it still feels stiff let some penetrating oil soak into the handle and after an hour or so repeat the hot soapy water soaking. More often helps more than just letting sit the razor for hours and hours in less than really hot water.

 

[superslomo]

It's not terrible, it's just that at first I could hold the handle with one hand, and twist it tight with my other hand without difficulty. I find I am either using a towel for more grip or holding the ends of the head to get better leverage, just for that last squeeze tightening the blade in place.

I'll try the hot water soak... detergent or soap?

 

[Haegar]

I'll try the hot water soak... detergent or soap?

I use liquid dishwashing soap, the kind you use clean dishes in the sink, not the stuff for machine dishwashers. Scrubbing bubbles have been mentioned. Nothing aggressive. Bathcleaners and similar detergents may eat off the plating.

 

[mikemullin6]

I bought one off B&B and, when it came, it was very sticky and noisy. Tried soap and water; scrubbing bubbles; 3 in 1 oil and achieved some results. Eventually, tried WD-40 and it works like new! Squirted WD-40 down the pole (?) in the head and, also, around the dial ring and around the bottom ring. Did soap and water after to clean up the oil residue. This was last week and there doesn't seem to be any damage to plating, etc.

 

[Bazowie]

I would boil it for a few minutes and then soak it in mineral oil for a period of time. I did this and it worked wonders.

 

[Haegar]

I would boil it for a few minutes and then ...

Don't boil it. Never ever. Pour boiling water over it, wait a few minutes and repeat.

 

[Bazowie]

Don't boil it. Never ever. Pour boiling water over it, wait a few minutes and repeat.

Why Never Ever Boil? It seemed to work for me, you didn't explain why?

 

[silver]

I use a drop or two of mineral oil and that usually does the trick

 

[Haegar]

Why Never Ever Boil? It seemed to work for me, you didn't explain why?

When boiling the razor can start to jump in the pan. Metal hitting against metal can damage the plating on the edges pretty quickly. The damage may get obvious only after corrosion starts. Also, the bottom of the pan gets quite a bit hotter than just boiling temperature, which again is not good for the plating. Although one can have luck I would not take a chance. Damaged plating starts to look ugly soon, and re-plating is not cheap.

 

[Mako72]

Eventually, tried WD-40 and it works like new! Squirted WD-40 down the pole (?) in the head and, also, around the dial ring and around the bottom ring. Did soap and water after to clean up the oil residue.

I will second the WD-40, thats how I start cleaning all my razors. It seems to work wonders on old soap scum and hard water deposits. Then a dish soap wash to clean the WD-40 off.