oh no...... I think I've ruined my razor

[Sir Ronald]

help!

I was giving the trusty ol' HD a clean so I pulled it apart to clean inside the stem...... and now the end stub won't fit back inside the stem again. I think the washer that's at the base wasn't meant to come out......

does this look right??? it 100% won't go back in..... I've tried hammering the bloody thing and it simply won't go.

I love this razor.....

 

[rockviper]

It's not broken; it's a design feature
Just slide that C-clamp up to the indent, and the handle pieces should slide back together. You might have to squeeze the C-clamp a little bit when initially sliding the pieces together.

 

[jamesspo]

Yep, as designed. It's funny, because when I got my 39C and unscrewed the handle the first time it came out like that. I didn't know any better, so I just assumed that was the way it was supposed to be. Then I saw other threads where folks were talking about how the handle retained the knob/inner stem and I realized I could stretch out that little collar and make it stay in place - much easier to use that way not having to fumble with three pieces!

 

[Foyle]

Yep, that's supposed to be that way. It should just push right back in. Mine did when I took it apart. Try squeezing that little brass sleeve when you try to put the barrel back into the handle.

 

[Absolute Mustard]

Yea the brass sleeve fits into that groove. Once you do that it will pop back in.

 

[Foyle]

Yea the brass sleeve fits into that groove. Once you do that it will pop back in.

Or you could do this. Makes more sense than squeezing the ring. I never noticed the groove on mine, it just went back in without much effort.

 

[inspiringK]

Looks a little odd taken apart like that, but it should all come together again with the advice above. I still feel that the "2-piece" construction of the Merkur HD represents the best DE design - easier to load a blade than with a 3-piece and without the bulky head design of a TTO.

 

[Sir Ronald]

It's not broken; it's a design feature Just slide that C-clamp up to the indent, and the handle pieces should slide back together. You might have to squeeze the C-clamp a little bit when initially sliding the pieces together.

no, it simply won't go back in. this is not the first time I've taken it out for a clean, I've done it many times before and it's always gone back in without any problems. something's not right....

 

[rockviper]

no, it simply won't go back in. this is not the first time I've taken it out for a clean, I've done it many times before and it's always gone back in without any problems. something's not right....

Hmmm. Can you take the C-ring right off of the bottom piece and then try fitting the two handle pieces together as a test to see if there's anything wrong with the handle itself?

 

[Krona Kruiser]

Hmmm. Can you take the C-ring right off of the bottom piece and then try fitting the two handle pieces together as a test to see if there's anything wrong with the handle itself?

You can but putting the C-ring back in place can be troublesome and more importantly, annoying. It won't damage it though as long as you're careful.

 

[phillylion]

Question--I just got my 34C and wasn't aware that it came apart. How often should it be taken apart and cleaned--I've just cleaned the 2 pieces? And how should it be taken apart--just pull the bottom double knob out?

 

[itsmedave]

I've had 2 of them and wasn't aware it came apart either. Learn something every day.

 

[rockviper]

Question--I just got my 34C and wasn't aware that it came apart. How often should it be taken apart and cleaned--I've just cleaned the 2 pieces? And how should it be taken apart--just pull the bottom double knob out?

I would avoid intentionally pulling the bottom piece out on purpose, but wouldn't cry it it happened.

 

[inspiringK]

Question--I just got my 34C and wasn't aware that it came apart. How often should it be taken apart and cleaned--I've just cleaned the 2 pieces? And how should it be taken apart--just pull the bottom double knob out?

There are many vintage TTO razors that have never been taken apart to clean and are still in use today. I wouldn't worry about doing it. The design isn't such that gunk is bound to accumulate in the razor handle. I think a good rinse/soak once a year or so is probably better for the razor in the long run than taking it apart once a year to clean inside.

 

[gus1942]

I've had 2 of them and wasn't aware it came apart either. Learn something every day.

Yes, you guys are smarter than I am. I never thought to take 2 piece Merkurs apart, but never had to put it back together, either.

 

[itsmedave]

Yes, you guys are smarter than I am. I never thought to take 2 piece Merkurs apart, but never had to put it back together, either.

When I had a Mergress it came apart on me like that when I was cleaning. I emailed Mer thinking I'd broken it. He told me how to get it back together again.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Every time you take it apart, you increase the odds of breaking it. HD's really don't need to be disassembled to be cleaned, a soak in hot soapy water will more than take care of it.

 

[phillylion]

Yep, as designed. It's funny, because when I got my 39C and unscrewed the handle the first time it came out like that. I didn't know any better, so I just assumed that was the way it was supposed to be. Then I saw other threads where folks were talking about how the handle retained the knob/inner stem and I realized I could stretch out that little collar and make it stay in place - much easier to use that way not having to fumble with three pieces!

I was just towel cleaning mine this morning after taking out the old blade (after 5 wonderful shaves with an Astra), and the bottom just came out in my hand. It went right back in after following the above directions of just squeezing the C-clamp. However, it seems to come out real easy now, which it didn't do before. So are you saying that if I stretch out that collar a little bit it would solve that problem? Clutz that I am, I hope I wouldn't break it.

 

[jamesspo]

Well, it worked in my case. I just opened it a little bit, and that was enough to make it retain the knob.

I was just towel cleaning mine this morning after taking out the old blade (after 5 wonderful shaves with an Astra), and the bottom just came out in my hand. It went right back in after following the above directions of just squeezing the C-clamp. However, it seems to come out real easy now, which it didn't do before. So are you saying that if I stretch out that collar a little bit it would solve that problem? Clutz that I am, I hope I wouldn't break it.

 

[phillylion]

Well, it worked in my case. I just opened it a little bit, and that was enough to make it retain the knob.

Thanks, James.