PAL Adjustable Doesn't Load Correctly.

[SantoSubito]

I picked up a PAL adjustable injector on Ebay because it was just such a good deal ($10 shipped). I ordered some Schick blades that come in tomorrow, but the seller was kind enough to throw in some Personna blades.

Now when I went to try and load a blade the magazine wouldn't go in any further than this:



Now that didn't seem right to me, but I tried anyway and used all the blades trying to get them to load all the way. finally I took a pair of needle nose and pulled off the little tab closest to the magazine to get it to go in all the way, and I got a blade that I put back in the magazine to load, but it took a lot more force to get the blade into the razor then I think is right.

I used it to shave later and man did it tear me up, but at this point I'm not sure if It's the razors fault or the blades. I did rough up the edges a little bit fiddling with sticking them in magazine and getting them out of the razor, and for all I know they weren't sitting correctly.

So? Did I just waste 10 dollars, or will this be remedied by the better magazine of the Schicks?

 

[xxvaleria]

I've never had a problem with the injector key not going in all the way. It does take some force, but it should not be excessive. It looks in the picture like the injector was empty, but that shouldn't stop the key from inserting all the way. I am unclear about the tab that you mentioned pulling off.

 

[santamariasteve]

The Pal Adjustable is one of my top razors. I'm at a loss to explain your difficulty. It certainly is not normal. The Pal Adjustable razor loads as easily as any other injector razor.

I'm wondering if something is broken inside the chamber where the key goes in that prevents entry? Hold the razor sideways up to a window. Can you see "quite a bit of light?" You should be able to unless there is a broken mechanism or other blockage inside. I don't want to overstate that, as there is a mechanism inside the key slot that is very visible and that is normal.

This I do know. The Pal Advustable is an outstanding SE razor. If yours can't be fixed, it is worth it to buy another. One caveat: the angle of the loaded blade is different than the angle of the 2 edges of the razor's face that comes in contact with the shaver's face. What that means is you need to hold the handle at a lower angle than is done with most razors. Otherwise the blade won't cut much as the blade itself will be at way too shallow an angle. If you examine the razor and the blade closely under good lighting, you will see what I mean.

Shaving with this razor is not as complex as I make it sound. If the loading mechanism is not broken or jammed and if you use the correct lower angle of the handle, you should be in for an impressive shaving experience.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[SantoSubito]

I've never had a problem with the injector key not going in all the way. It does take some force, but it should not be excessive. It looks in the picture like the injector was empty, but that shouldn't stop the key from inserting all the way. I am unclear about the tab that you mentioned pulling off.

The picture was taken after the whole ordeal, so that's why it's empty, but the issue was present when it was full as well. The tab I mentioned is on the key, if you look at the key it's the closest "bump" to the actual magazine on the right end. For the life of me I couldn't get that part to go in without feeling like I was going to break the magazine off.

Now that You've mentioned that though I think the problem may be that in pulling that tab off I made it to where the key doesn't force the razor far enough open for the blade to inject smoothly.

 

[SantoSubito]

The Pal Adjustable is one of my top razors. I'm at a loss to explain your difficulty. It certainly is not normal. The Pal Adjustable razor loads as easily as any other injector razor.

My luck does that to me from time to time

I'm wondering if something is broken inside the chamber where the key goes in that prevents entry? Hold the razor sideways up to a window. Can you see "quite a bit of light?" You should be able to unless there is a broken mechanism or other blockage inside. I don't want to overstate that, as there is a mechanism inside the key slot that is very visible and that is normal.

This was my first thought as well, and initially I was worried the adjusting mechanism might prevent the key from entering. Looking through it I see a fair amount of light and I'm sure it's not the mechanism now. I'm pretty sure now that I was either to timid or the key was misshapen, and as I've modified the key I can't try it out until the Schicks come in tomorrow. Just to be sure I am going to grease the Schick's key with a little mineral oil to help it along though.

This I do know. The Pal Advustable is an outstanding SE razor. If yours can't be fixed, it is worth it to buy another. One caveat: the angle of the loaded blade is different than the angle of the 2 edges of the razor's face that comes in contact with the shaver's face. What that means is you need to hold the handle at a lower angle than is done with most razors. Otherwise the blade won't cut much as the blade itself will be at way too shallow an angle. If you examine the razor and the blade closely under good lighting, you will see what I mean.

I found that out quick, and looking at the blade under a magnifying glass it looks like I injected the blade that I had to use that pen you see in the picture to get out. So the rough shave this time around was my bad, not the razor's

 

[xxvaleria]

Well, injector keys all have an elongated "dimple" running down the center. That is to spread the blade holder wide enough for the blade to enter the keeper. I wouldn't call it a tab, and I don't see how you could pull it off without destroying the key. Maybe you have a defective blade holder.

I agree with Steve that injectors are superb razors, and I wouldn't throw it away until you have a chance to try it with another injector. BTW, it looks like there is a blade in the razor already--don't remove it! It is a ***** of a job to load a blade into an empty injector razor, and it will most likely bugger the new blade.

 

[BigFoot]

Let me look at mine when I get home, something looks funny in your picture but I can't put my finger on it.

 

[SantoSubito]

Well, injector keys all have an elongated "dimple" running down the center. That is to spread the blade holder wide enough for the blade to enter the keeper. I wouldn't call it a tab, and I don't see how you could pull it off without destroying the key. Maybe you have a defective blade holder.

That's weird, mine has a second punched out "tab" closer to the magazine that I could just twist off with needle nose.

I agree with Steve that injectors are superb razors, and I wouldn't throw it away until you have a chance to try it with another injector. BTW, it looks like there is a blade in the razor already--don't remove it! It is a ***** of a job to load a blade into an empty injector razor, and it will most likely bugger the new blade.

Don't worry, I fully intend on trying it again, but with more force this time, with the schicks tomorrow. Hopefully it'll work fine, and if it doesn't I'm going to buy a Schick injector and use the same key just to make sure (I'll need to use up those 4 packs of Schicks I ordered somehow).

Fortunately my disappointment was tempered by the fact that my Weber also came in today, and I'm happy to report that it salvaged a terrible shave (again my fault I screwed up the edge on the blade) and turned it into a decent shave.

 

[SantoSubito]

I'm a day late posting this update because the blades were delayed by severe weather.

Anyway, the Schick injector worked flawlessly, the key went all the way in without issue and the blade injected smoothly and easily (in fact it shot in so fast I wasn't sure for a second if I injected another blade). The Schick blade also performed much better than the dinged up Personna, it was like night and day. I still had some weepers under my neck near my chin where I had trouble keeping the angle right ATG (and I was playing with the adjustments, turns out high is not for me). But everywhere else it was just a smooth comfortable shave like the blade's packaging promised. Came out BBS everywhere with less touch up than I usually do with a DE, but the aftershave did burn more than usual.

So it appears that the Personna's key was, in fact, defective. The PAL worked great, but I do wish all you had to do was hold the head flat like you do with the Schicks.

 

[xxvaleria]

Ahhh, another convert to the wonders of the mighty injector.

 

[SantoSubito]

Ahhh, another convert to the wonders of the mighty injector.

I don't think I'll ever give up my DEs, but Injectors will have a place in my rotation. So, what would be a good actual Schick injector to look at getting? Blade-wise is there anything else I should really look at besides the Schicks?

 

[dparish1952]

OP,

This is a common problem with the Personna injector. IMO, The Personna's dimple on the key is too deep. Press hard on the dimple with the end of the razor handle and it should flatten a little. That worked for me.

Also, the first blade put into an empty injector is usually thrown away, as the blade often misaligns while forcing the holder open; this does not happen when the holder already contains a blade.

NOTE: on my PAL adjustable, the outer edges of the blade holder are raised higher than the body of the blade holder (length of the blade edge). You must base your blade angle on the length of the blade holder, not the edges.

HTH.

 

[santamariasteve]

I'm a day late posting this update because the blades were delayed by severe weather.

Anyway, the Schick injector worked flawlessly, the key went all the way in without issue and the blade injected smoothly and easily (in fact it shot in so fast I wasn't sure for a second if I injected another blade). The Schick blade also performed much better than the dinged up Personna, it was like night and day. I still had some weepers under my neck near my chin where I had trouble keeping the angle right ATG (and I was playing with the adjustments, turns out high is not for me). But everywhere else it was just a smooth comfortable shave like the blade's packaging promised. Came out BBS everywhere with less touch up than I usually do with a DE, but the aftershave did burn more than usual.

So it appears that the Personna's key was, in fact, defective. The PAL worked great, but I do wish all you had to do was hold the head flat like you do with the Schicks.

I would be surprised if the highest setting on the Pal Adjustable Razor was not high enough for you. The fact you had some weepers from the highest setting and some irritation from the aftershave might suggest you had the setting too high.

Everyone is different, of course, but I have 77 year old wiskers that are fairly coarse and tough, and I find the setting of "4" on the 5 possible setting is perfect for me. I use and love the Schick Injector made-in-China blades. To be clear, I mean "4" to be the next to the highest setting.

 

[SantoSubito]

I would be surprised if the highest setting on the Pal Adjustable Razor was not high enough for you. The fact you had some weepers from the highest setting and some irritation from the aftershave might suggest you had the setting too high.

Everyone is different, of course, but I have 77 year old wiskers that are fairly coarse and tough, and I find the setting of "4" on the 5 possible setting is perfect for me. I use and love the Schick Injector made-in-China blades. To be clear, I mean "4" to be the next to the highest setting.

I actually meant that "High" is too high, and the weepers happened when I put it on high. My "money zone" so far on the settings has been one notch up from "Low". Now the only question is how long I can push a blade, reviews on Amazon had some people getting 15, 20, or even 30 shaves out of a blade, but I'll be happy with 10.

 

[xxvaleria]

I don't think I'll ever give up my DEs, but Injectors will have a place in my rotation. So, what would be a good actual Schick injector to look at getting? Blade-wise is there anything else I should really look at besides the Schicks?

You can try the Pella/EMS blades, but I just use the Schicks because they're so good and come with a metal injector. Almost any of the Schick razors will be good. The earlier models (Types E and G) are more aggressive, the Types I and J are medium, and the later L and N Types tend to be pretty mild. The M Types are adjustable.

 

[Luc]

It could be interesting to compare both keys to see where the differences are.

 

[ackvil]

I had the same problem with my Pal adjustable. What I did find, however, is that by changing the setting to a higher number made the "changing of the blade" easier.

 

[SantoSubito]

You can try the Pella/EMS blades, but I just use the Schicks because they're so good and come with a metal injector. Almost any of the Schick razors will be good. The earlier models (Types E and G) are more aggressive, the Types I and J are medium, and the later L and N Types tend to be pretty mild. The M Types are adjustable.

Are the L and N types mild to a fault? In the world of DE's I have a preference for mild razors (the SuperSpeeds, Techs, etc), but if it's too mild it will take too much effort to get a good shave. Hopefully they aren't since the newer they are the greater the chance I can find a NOS or very good condition one on Ebay at a decent price. 70's NOS Techs for example can be had for about 30 bucks.

 

[SantoSubito]

I had the same problem with my Pal adjustable. What I did find, however, is that by changing the setting to a higher number made the "changing of the blade" easier.

I noticed that as well when I was trying to get one of those Personnas in. Now I plan to always turn it to High when changing blades just be safe.

 

[santamariasteve]

I actually meant that "High" is too high, and the weepers happened when I put it on high. My "money zone" so far on the settings has been one notch up from "Low". Now the only question is how long I can push a blade, reviews on Amazon had some people getting 15, 20, or even 30 shaves out of a blade, but I'll be happy with 10.

In my experience the made-in-China Schick Injector blades are more durable and last longer than any of the excellent DE blades. With a DE I change the blade every 7th day (once per week). The Schick Injector blade will go perhaps 10 days (3 changes per month). My whiskers are fairly coarse and tough.