Disassembling a Bakelite Injector

[cfriend]

Rescued a bakelite injector from the bay, currently soaking in barbicide along with the instruments I used to remove the rusty blade from it's rusted resting place. The seller was courteous enough to include such a fine addition to the package, but for $6.50 shipped I guess I can't complain. my question is how do I go about taking it apart to clean it better? Still some gunk and discoloration that may or may not be rust and may or may not be cleanable, but I'd like to give it a shot. If anyone knows a reference site, or has done it before and can guide me through it via PM, email, AIM or otherwise please let me know. Tried searching the forum and came up blank.

Thanks!

[mmack66]

Rescued a bakelite injector from the bay, currently soaking in barbicide along with the instruments I used to remove the rusty blade from it's rusted resting place. The seller was courteous enough to include such a fine addition to the package, but for $6.50 shipped I guess I can't complain. my question is how do I go about taking it apart to clean it better? Still some gunk and discoloration that may or may not be rust and may or may not be cleanable, but I'd like to give it a shot. If anyone knows a reference site, or has done it before and can guide me through it via PM, email, AIM or otherwise please let me know. Tried searching the forum and came up blank.

Thanks!

Depending on the way the spring under the head is configured, it can be easy or less than easy to rotate it to the left to release the head so it folds down. Pics would be nice. I think there were a couple of threads recently about this.

[cfriend]

No camera on hand, but I do have a low quality picture taken for the "shave den" thread that the razor is present in. Hopefully this is enough to identify the model/style I have.

http://img.skitch.com/20090414-kuh8pk6tgdtg6jtfk983r6tqc8.preview.jpg (http://skitch.com/christiancfriend/bmu1i/img-0032)
Click for full size (http://skitch.com/christiancfriend/bmu1i/img-0032) - Uploaded with plasq (http://plasq.com)'s Skitch (http://skitch.com)

[Mr. O]

Rescued a bakelite injector from the bay, currently soaking in barbicide along with the instruments I used to remove the rusty blade from it's rusted resting place. The seller was courteous enough to include such a fine addition to the package, but for $6.50 shipped I guess I can't complain. my question is how do I go about taking it apart to clean it better? Still some gunk and discoloration that may or may not be rust and may or may not be cleanable, but I'd like to give it a shot. If anyone knows a reference site, or has done it before and can guide me through it via PM, email, AIM or otherwise please let me know. Tried searching the forum and came up blank.

Thanks!

I had the same issue with mine. It was suggested here, and I can't seem to find the thread but you need a wooden bbq skewer stick. I took one, cut in down a bit and inserted it just like a blade (make sure the blade is out). These skewers are thick enough and can be manipulated to open the head almost all the way. I then used some q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the head. Everything came out and it looks brand new. Once your done cleaning just carefully pull the stick out and you have a nice, clean injector. Good luck!

[mark_mw]

The curled tip of the spring has a notch that engages a stud - the spring must be pulled downward 1/32" or so so the stud is cleared and the spring can be swung to the left. There can be great force involved doing this - it may be better just to soak in alcohol but DO NOT get alcohol on the handle as it softens the plastic!!!!!!!!!!:001_smile

[Slivovitz]

The curled tip of the spring has a notch that engages a stud - the spring must be pulled downward 1/32" or so so the stud is cleared and the spring can be swung to the left. There can be great force involved doing this - it may be better just to soak in alcohol but DO NOT get alcohol on the handle as it softens the plastic!!!!!!!!!!:001_smile

I was able to do this with mine, which I'm pretty sure is a G1. It did take more force than I was comfortable applying, but in my case nothing broke. The spring swung over, the bottom plate hinged down, with a little encouragement, and I was able to clean out a lot of gunk with a toothbrush. I had already removed the blade without putting in another. When I swung the spring back, and put in a blade, it was sitting in there a little loose. I carefully bent the spring a little bit forward with needle nosed pliers, which tightened everything up.

I've now shaved the past two days with a different injector, an L1, which may have been previously unused, and in any case didn't require as much cleaning. Still haven't tried the G1, but at least it's clean.

[hypo_style]

The curled tip of the spring has a notch that engages a stud - the spring must be pulled downward 1/32" or so so the stud is cleared and the spring can be swung to the left. There can be great force involved doing this - it may be better just to soak in alcohol but DO NOT get alcohol on the handle as it softens the plastic!!!!!!!!!!:001_smile

This method worked for me as well, for my G-type. I slid a small screwdriver through the loop under the head and gently(!) lifted the loop high enough to clear the stud/stop. Then it swung freely away, and the blade clamp swung open, allowing me access to clean it.

I love my injectors, but find the later models frustratingly hard to clean.

[mark_mw]

I also have a bakelite handle injector where there is NO notch in the spring tip - the spring merely rotates up to an off-center stud. This is an earlier model with only one patent number. It is easy to open the razor but could this loosen up over time, and that is why there is the nocthed end on later models?

Resist the urge to snap apart the black handle L and M models!!!!! I have two "parts sets" now as the razors got sprung when disassembled:crying:

[mmack66]

I love my injectors, but find the later models frustratingly hard to clean.

Get a HydroMagic or a Golden 500 injector. They are easy to clean.

[82R100]

...When I swung the spring back, and put in a blade, it was sitting in there a little loose. I carefully bent the spring a little bit forward with needle nosed pliers, which tightened everything up.

This is very important. If the head is at all loose after reassembling (even before a blade is put in) open it back up and tweak the spring to get some preload back into it. An injector razor with a loose head will carve your face up!

- Chris

[Edit: Safer still, don't worry about the soap scum in the blade slot. Soak and rinse the razor but leave it fully assembled. With the proper disinfectant it won't be a health risk and you don't run the risk of tweaking your razor out of proper form.