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Post by drumzalot on Nov 16, 2014 15:06:22 GMT -6
My post is about removing the handle from a Valet VC1. I have recently acquired a Valet VC2 Auto Strop Razor. The razor is in good condition but the handle can't be removed. I don't know if this particular Valet was designed to be this way or if the handle is simply just stuck. I have cleaned the razor thoroughly adding drops of mineral oil where the head meets the handle, after several attempts the handle simply can't be removed. Finally, I sprayed some WD40 where the razor's head meets the handle. All I attained was the handle moving just slightly clockwise and counterclockwise. The handle can't make a complete turn much less be removed. I can't see anything bent nor any grime in the connection. What I did notice were two small openings (notches) on the stem of the bottom of the head which connects to the handle. The handles of my new VC1 VC4 and old VC1 can be removed but they don't have these notches. The diagram below illustrates these two small notches/slots located on the stem of the razor's head. These notches are very small and can easily be overlooked. I don't know if anyone else has this specific problem and if their Valet razor was designed exactly as the diagram below. I might be completely wrong but maybe the handles of some Valet razors were not meant to be removed?
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Post by mjclark on Nov 16, 2014 15:37:26 GMT -6
My two British VC2s do not have those notches - the stems are smooth and the handles can be unscrewed.
Joe, you are advancing the science of Valetology here!
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Post by PJGH on Nov 16, 2014 16:02:34 GMT -6
Quite a find! For the sake of completion, here's a picture of a handle from a razor that I have since sold. You will notice the slots on the side, yet the handle is clearly removed from the Valet razor since it is attached to a 1912 head! You will also notice that the slots are on the handle, rather than on the stem as described above.
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Post by drumzalot on Nov 16, 2014 16:52:34 GMT -6
Marcus, I can find absolutely nothing that is prohibiting the handle from coming out. It might be probable (I do stress probable) that the slots/notches shown in the diagram might not allow the handle to come loose. Paul, none of my Valet razors have the slots on the handle. I wonder which Valet model the handle belonged to? On a side note, I have a gold Valet VC1 razor with blade stops that were very wide open. I don't know if the blade stops were altered by the previous owner? I have run across very few Valet VC1 razors that had the same wide open blade stops as mine. My gold VC1 didn't hold a modern Gem blade well except for the original Valet blades. I had to bend down the stops which helped accommodate a modern SE blade better. In my experience the Valet blades have a better tight fight in the VC1 models though a modded SE blade will work in them. As for my question I don't know if my Valet razor was deliberately manufactured to not have the handle removed?
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Nov 17, 2014 0:20:00 GMT -6
I checked my valets and found 2 heads with what appear to be staked handles. One had the handle removed and the hole was threaded. The other with much more pronounced, that is, deep, "center punch" marks (staked) the handle doesn't budge at all. No notches though, just clearly seen to be staked in place. Other than using hand pressure I don't want to put more persuasive handle removing techniques to it.
I didn't notice the models of those razors.
Look closer at the notches. Could they be areas where the metal was punched inward to stake the handle in place?
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Post by PJGH on Nov 17, 2014 5:03:55 GMT -6
Paul, none of my Valet razors have the slots on the handle. I wonder which Valet model the handle belonged to? Looking back, it was a VC2.
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Post by drumzalot on Nov 17, 2014 8:09:55 GMT -6
Brian, the slots/notches in my Valet (shown in the diagram) are just opened squared holes. There are two exactly the same found on the left o& right side of the stem of the neck (of the head). By sight it looks apparent to have been deliberately manufactured this way. I would bet that your Valet and mine were not meant to have the handle removed. This is my guess do to this minor (but significant) difference.
Paul, since yours is another VC2 it makes me wonder if this was happening in the VC2 line. My Valet razors did not come with the instructions. If there are Valet razors (with fixed handles) that have the instructions it might be noted there. What I can conclude is that Valet razors with fixed handles were meant to be this way, the handles are simply not stuck.
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