What causes the handle cracks?

[Defend Tacoma]

Why do you suspect the handles on the '20s Gillette New and Improved razors tend to crack? Is it over tightening of the head, a defect in the design, or the metal in the barrel is too thin? Age maybe?

I now have 2 of the New and improved variants. One has the crack, the other has no cracks. Just as it left the factory. I would like to avoid any damage/ further damage to the razors, and as they say... Knowledge is power!

 

[amishmotorboat]

Cheap wartime metal and/or improper annealing (so I've heard).

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

The explanation I've heard is that over tightening the razor produces a lot of stress on the tube of the handle that causes it to bulge out and crack. Correspondingly, to avoid making a crack worse or to avoid producing one, don't over tighten it. I usually go just tight enough to keep things secure and a touch more.

 

[Defend Tacoma]

Cool! Thanks for some perspective on the situation!

 

[michiganlover]

The explanation I've heard is that over tightening the razor produces a lot of stress on the tube of the handle that causes it to bulge out and crack. Correspondingly, to avoid making a crack worse or to avoid producing one, don't over tighten it. I usually go just tight enough to keep things secure and a touch more.

I don't think that explanation, is correct, as I have seen pictures of NOS Old Types (dissembled in the box) with the handles fully cracked.

As mentioned above, the cracks form due to stress from the press fitted pieces on the thin walled, not properly annealed tube.

Effectively, if you have a handle that has not yet cracked (some 80 years after manufacture) it is very likely it will never crack.

 

[buddydog]

I don't think that explanation, is correct, as I have seen pictures of NOS Old Types (dissembled in the box) with the handles fully cracked.

As mentioned above, the cracks form due to stress from the press fitted pieces on the thin walled, not properly annealed tube.

Effectively, if you have a handle that has not yet cracked (some 80 years after manufacture) it is very likely it will never crack.

I believe this to be spot on......

by the way, I know how to repair them.

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

I gladly stand corrected and now properly informed. Thanks, John and Michael! And, Michael, how do you go about repairing such a crack? Or is that a trade secret?

 

[buddydog]

A jewelers sawblade is run through the crack to clean it,a thin strip of metal is inserted and hard soldered in place,filed and sanded down,polished, then the razor is replated.There's no way to do it without replating.

[/IMG]

 

[Blue-EyedSon]

Thanks, Michael. That is good information to know.

 

[muzl0dr]

Effectively, if you have a handle that has not yet cracked (some 80 years after manufacture) it is very likely it will never crack.

This is splendid news! I've been worrying about my uncracked 1917 Arisocrat and have been tempted to hurry and sell it since it isn't cracked. I've been afraid to hardly look at it for fear of the handle cracking. Maybe I'll venture a shave now.

 

[Gray Wolf]

A jewelers sawblade is run through the crack to clean it,a thin strip of metal is inserted and hard soldered in place,filed and sanded down,polished, then the razor is replated.There's no way to do it without replating.

[/IMG]

Michael, do you do that sort of work?
And if you do, how much would it cost?

 

[buddydog]

Michael, do you do that sort of work?
And if you do, how much would it cost?

For a crack of that length,and replate.....$40.00.Crack on each end same price.I can replace missing teeth too.I only do this work because I like to see great old razors returned to there original beauty.I don't have time to do very many because I make jewelry.If I charged the hourly rate I make no one would want to pay for my service.

 

[Topgumby]

Vintage Gillette razors ARE crack.

 

[BroJohn]

Here's a previous post I made in a thread on this topic. The thread is worth a read.

Click!

-- John Gehman

 

[buddydog]

Vintage Gillette razors ARE crack.

Very addictive.

 

[ofelas]

Thanks for that explanation buddydog!