Gillette Slim Adjustable Blade Angle Problem

[MikeOfAllTrades]

I just picked up my 2nd DE razor, and it is also my first foray into vintage Gillettes. (I've previously been using a Merkur 180 for the past 6 months with great success).

I just did a test fit with an Astra blade and can see that the blade is angled closer to to the bar on one corner of each of the two sides of the razor. See below:

The TTO is butter smooth and tightens nicely after the requisite 1/4 turn once the silos close. The adjuster knob also moves smoothly and clicks into each notch nicely.

My question: Is this something that is fixable? Are there any internal adjustments that can be made once fully disassembled? Currently I am giving it a nice long soapy bath to see if there is any crud in there that is preventing the mechanism from working properly -- but I am not very hopeful because it came to me pretty impeccably cleaned. Or maybe it's not that bad compared to other razors out there? Not sure what sort of tolerances are acceptable.

Would be curious to know if any other B&Bers have dealt with this problem and have had any luck.

 

[mblakele]

Sometimes people drop razors.

I have seen worse, but one or both of the safety bars may be very slightly bent. That is usually repairable. One technique is to straighten the bars - carefully - using the edge of a table or desk.

EDIT: Welcome to B&B!

 

[raposo III]

i got one fat boy,that at lateral almost the corner,there is a small angle droped, when i pull down i feel the blade more sharp this side, but dont cut the skin.....but is diferent

 

[celestino]

Yours does not seem too bad. i have seen some gents fix it with a butter knife, but i have not tried it, myself. i think there may have been a thread on this, but i can not seem to find it. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[canascrews]

I've had a black beauty with the same problem. I fixed it with a small screwdriver. Here's a better description...http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/302836-Black-Beauty-uneven-gap?highlight=bent+safety+bar

 

[BBrad]

Disassembly is neither needed nor recommended to fix this one. It looks a little tweaked . . . and can be gently brought back into alignment with a small screwdriver used as a lever.

 

[steve426536]

My slim was exactly like that when I got it a couple of weeks ago. It actually took me a few shaves to notice it, noticed one side seemed to cut sharper than the other. I can't believe I didn't notice it while cleaning it TBH..

I ended up very carefully taking a small screw driver with the tip covered with a shop rag, and giving the bar a couple gentile taps with a hammer thru the screwdriver. Its the same trick I use on clock parts when I don't want to mar up the finish (many antique clocks are nickel plated as well). Its aligned nearly perfectly now, close enough to not be worth the risk of damaging it by trying to make it completely perfect.

 

[Dalejr]

I like the shave my slanted slim aristocrat gives, unless it bothers you I'd leave it as is.

 

[mdarnton]

You should be able to see it's not a bar problem--the blade doesn't fit against the covers on the right--there's a huge gap over the blade. Don't pry on the bars--try to figure out why it's not up against the silos on one side.

 

[alex2363]

I fixed a few of mine in the past, I use a screw driver and gently twist it until you can see the razor align properly...do it in baby steps twists.

 

[Marcelitegti]

Takes a lot of heart doing that on a toggle, scary lol

 

[alex2363]

Takes a lot of heart doing that on a toggle, scary lol

I did it for few members too, so far so good. It is not that difficult.

 

[MikeOfAllTrades]

Thanks guys. Your input is all much appreciated. Sorry for asking a question that I see now has been so often asked. Search was failing me.

I basically wanted validation that it was OK or feasible to start cranking on one of these with a screwdriver without messing things up, but that sounds like the essentials of the solution. (Though there was, of course, plenty of ways to screw this up!) Worked OK for me though, and I deem it ready for a test drive. I slipped a flat head behind the underside of the bar and gently pried till the inserted blade looked as good as I can ever imagine it looking. Worst case is setting 1 is now effectively a -1. 1 definitely looks significantly milder than my 180, and 9 still looks horrific to me. More like a carrot peeler! Ready to try it out tomorrow -- I'll see what a 3 feels like. It's always nice having the luxury to take your time on a day off.

 

[MikeOfAllTrades]

You should be able to see it's not a bar problem--the blade doesn't fit against the covers on the right--there's a huge gap over the blade. Don't pry on the bars--try to figure out why it's not up against the silos on one side.

It's very strange, might be an optics thing. I can see it plain as day in the picture now that you mention it, but the blade is tight against the silo doors now that I check it in real life. There are no obstructions on the open doors, no grinding/gouging that could cause that and it looks fine with the blade in now. Or maybe my scrubbing, post picture snapping, cleared something out I didn't realize. A little CLR on a toothbrush might have also been involved, though it didn't seem to need it.

At any rate, the bars were also a bit of a problem and things are looking nice now.

 

[Eastman]

This is great. Just got a black beauty that does this as well. Hopefully this will improve my shave.

 

[nemo]

You should be able to see it's not a bar problem--the blade doesn't fit against the covers on the right--there's a huge gap over the blade. Don't pry on the bars--try to figure out why it's not up against the silos on one side.

True, the bars rarely get bent when dropped. You will usually find the bent piece to be the actuating rod connected to the center bar. If both sides are equally out of alignment you'll know it isn't the safety bars -- they're sturdy. I cringe when guys stick screwdrivers and knives in the slots to bend the bars.