Razor end of life

[dailydeshaver]

Just curious. I've never had a DE razor failing. The first razor I used was a Gillette TTO (don't remember which one), use it 10 years (I think) and I lost it after I switched to cartridge razors. Never seen a 3 piece razor damage/failing either.
Have you had a razor wear out/broken/damaged?
How did it happen? What are known failures of DE razors?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Jim in NZ]

Dropping a razor seems to be the biggest cause of damage. Failures in zamak or zinc alloy as a result of corrosion are also not unknown. Poorly packed razors also occasionally get beaten about in luggage.

Also, overtightening the handle to the head isn't good for the thread, which can wear.

 

[Quaznoid]

Gillettes last forever

 

[WThomas0814]

I've not ever had a safety razor die. Vintages can be restored/refinished (plating wears off after a few decades), adjustables and TTOs require a bit of care in cleaning and lubrication to keep them working smoothly.

Modern stainless or titanium razors will last forever.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Some razors get damaged when dropped. Open comb razors have teeth that get bent. Some zamak razors will corrode, for instance the thread post will lose its threads or break off. Some older razors are known to suffer cracks in the handles. Sometimes, the damage can be repaired, but it may not be worth doing.

 

[ZeelandsRoem]

Gillettes last forever

If treated well. If one beats them up, they will also break down.

I've seen an old timer bang his DE into the sink to clear off the lather and hair and when most of it was out, then it would rinse it in water.

 

[ButterfaceX]

Aliens...

 

[Quaznoid]

If treated well. If one beats them up, they will also break down.

I've seen an old timer bang his DE into the sink to clear off the lather and hair and when most of it was out, then it would rinse it in water.

Of course. There were some guys on B&B a few years ago who were cutting Gillettes apart to make some sort of slants. Oy !!!

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

Busted or bent open comb teeth are fairly common. Torqued safety bars are as well. Stripped threads on caps and handles. Worn joints on TTO mechanisms. Cracked bakelite. Rotted Zamak. Just to name a few I have seen. Especially when eyeballing eBay auctions.

Personally, I have two Gillette New razors (one SC and one LC) which developed thread issues between their top cap screws and the their handles. I fixed both by using a little shim stock into the handles where the threads are. That took care of the wear on both sides. It has worked for a decade now but I do have to think to not over torque either one.

Stan

 

[profusion]

I've had a few problems:

• My Merkur 34C eventually corroded on the bottom edge of one of the safety bars. I think the plating over the zamac was bad from the factory. It's noticeable if you shave steep.
• My first Fatboy had an uneven blade gap because the doors had lifted on one end. I chose to get another one rather than play amateur mechanic.
• I've had some bad luck with Schick injectors. I've gotten a couple off eBay where either the safety bars was bent or the cap had lifted on one side due to decades of having injector keys inserted. The effect on the shaves is severe.

Bottom line is that I inspect vintage razors very carefully on eBay before I buy. The sellers are typically "junk" dealers who have no idea about this stuff. If I can't tell the shape from the pictures, I keep moving on.

 

[Trollky]

In 10 years (ish) of DE shaving I've only experienced one razor breakage. It was a chrome Rockwell 2C. From the get-go it had a lot of play between the top cap and handle so the second time I put a blade in it, the thread stripped

Other than that every razor has been rock solid

 

[Grundi]

I've had a couple of non-functioning razors that I was able to get fixed (over-torqued FatBoy, bent teeth on a New, bent safety bar on a Slim), but the only razor that...failed completely...was an Assured TTO after a few shaves!! $1 just doesn't buy quality these days!!

 

[HDSledge]

I've not ever had a safety razor die. Vintages can be restored/refinished (plating wears off after a few decades), adjustables and TTOs require a bit of care in cleaning and lubrication to keep them working smoothly.

Modern stainless or titanium razors will last forever.

Agree except the part about lubrication. In my humble opinion lubrication agents are hard to wash out of TTO and adjustable mechanisms, can thicken and become gummy inside the handles and under adjustment rings, attract particulate matter, and can become an abrasive paste. Cleaning and disinfecting solutions are fine as long as they wash out completely with plain water. I never use mineral oil or other lubricants and I have received many TTO's/adjustable razors with gunked up mechanisms from the owner using oils or other lubricating agents. I even received one that had what looked and smelled like Hoppes #9.

 

[Ad Astra]

I ponder sometimes with the 1912-made Gillette, wondering about the original owner.

Then I pick up my Timeless ti. It'll still be shaving for as long as DE blades are made.

The things that outlive the people ...


AA

 

[WThomas0814]

Agree except the part about lubrication. In my humble opinion lubrication agents are hard to wash out of TTO and adjustable mechanisms, can thicken and become gummy inside the handles and under adjustment rings, attract particulate matter, and can become an abrasive paste. Cleaning and disinfecting solutions are fine as long as they wash out completely with plain water. I never use mineral oil or other lubricants and I have received many TTO's/adjustable razors with gunked up mechanisms from the owner using oils or other lubricating agents. I even received one that had what looked and smelled like Hoppes #9.

I typically put a drop of sewing machine oil down the center and on the door hinges for long term storage, but that's me. Whatever works.

 

[pellidon]

After 10 years of infrequent use, 6 days a month at times, my Parker 26C has started to lose plating on the Zamak head. It will need replacing eventually. My vintage Gillettes are still going strong.