Rolls Razor Handle / Cracked Hone Question

[Aldarith]

Hello folks,

Received my first Rolls Razor in the mail today.

My first question is regarding the handle - it seems to have a spring loaded catch at the top.
Is the razor blade supposed to have a corresponding notch for the ball catch? I'm wondering if I have a mismatched handle and razor.

Secondly, my hone has a hairline crack towards one end. Is this going to be very detrimental or can it be overlooked?

 

[Aldarith]

Some pictures...

Sadly someone tried unscrewing the handle with pliers (and I don't think this particular version unscrews) and it wrecked a lot of the finish.

 

[romsitsa]

Hello, I think you have a one piece handle with a spring loaded ball (or a two piece with a spring loaded ball). Try to compress it with a screwdriver, if its "springy", it's a ball.
Another version of the handle has a short rod in place of the ball, it's lowered by unscrewing the handle.
The blade doesn't have any recess to accept the ball/rod, it's simply held in place by friction.

Iirc one pushes the blade on the stone side (the strop side is pulled), so the crack could catch the blade.
You could cut a piece of hard plastic to the shape of the stone and glue on some lapping film, can't help on what grit to use.

 

[Aldarith]

Lapping film... Now there's an idea that has a good deal of currency. I've never worked with it before, but I assume it can't crack or break like a stone can

Is that correct?

 

[Clay S]

Lapping film... Now there's an idea that has a good deal of currency. I've never worked with it before, but I assume it can't crack or break like a stone can

Is that correct?

It's like plastic sandpaper. You use it on a flat, stable piece of <something>. I used 1 1/2" thick piece of acrylic. So It would be difficult to break. Some people use tiles, which could break.