Personna Precision Plastic Handle/Shaft

I have recently purchased a used Personna Precision. Not the one pictured but a nickel plated one. All the metal on it is in really good condition but the plastic handle/shaft is in poor condition with at least one crack. Does not affect it's proper use but I would like to find a replacement. I'll consider having one machined from stainless if I can't find a replacement and then it will be a totally unique tool. But I would rather it be original. So...... anybody got one?

Thom

 

Looks very simular to my Gibbs (French)

Except I assume you can still get brades for a Personna Precision (stupid French)

 

Yeah, it uses modern blades.
Thom

 

Hi Jody,
Well, either the English ripped off the French patent or the French ripped off the English patent because except for a small difference on the bar and of course the tabs on the ends for the blade placement they are identical razors. The English are probably the culprits here because they have always felt above the rules of the game. After all they believe they invented they game you see. Anyway, thanks for the input. I'm certain from the photos you have shone me, if I found a Gibbs the handle would work. What a shame you can't shave with yours. I had a shave with mine this morning using a vintage 7 oclock blade and the shave was utterly fantastic on the N setting. No nicks, no weeps, no burns just perfection. Smoothest chin I've had for weeks. So whoever designed it , the Frogs or the Limeys... (references used with all due respect for both peoples) they did a damn good job of it. I've had a word with Rudy Vey and although he can't match what is on it he can make me a new handle. Not sure yet which way I want to go. Liklihood of another Personna is slim, Gibbs only slightly more common, new turned handle not original. It will always be a made up machine so for value it probably does not matter which way I go. I thought of having Rudy make something different and unusual for it. Any thoughts on my thoughts.
Thom

 

I've been thinking about getting Rudy to make a new handle for my EJ DE87. I love the imitation ivory, but I want imitation ivory with grip.

 

I'll show mine when it's finished. We plan to put some grip on it, just not sure of the design yet. Ivory sounds good but I'm more inclined to colors and pattern. We'll see.

 

The knob in the Persona has a retention ring near the bottom end. The Gibbs does not. If you use a Gibbs handle, you'll have to leave the retention ring off.

Also the thread pitch is different. I don't recall if there are threads cut in the plastic or if they are cut into a metal bushing fitted into the end of the handle. And I don't recall if the inside diameter of the plastic is different. I'll take a look tonight.

I tried to replace the cap on my Persona with the a Gibbs since screw started separating from the cap, but the thread didn't match the Persona knob.

And yes, the Persona WILL work with modern blades -- the Gibbs will not, unless either the blade or the razor is modified.

From my experience, notching a blade to fit in a Gibbs is possible, but difficult. If its not done exactly right, it leaves wiggle room making it near ikmpossible to align the blade correctly.

Way back, I saw a Gibbs on eBay from Argentina that was mod-ed to take modern blades. The sides were trimmed off the cap and two round posts were added. The work appeared to be done pretty well, but I'd never even consider hacking up my Gibbs like that.

I do wish my Persona was repairable. If I could get the cap fixed, I'd get a nice handle turned.

I look forward to seeing your results.

- Tere

 

I found some pictures of the mod-ed Gibbs. I DL-ed them from the eBay poasting. I put them in a gallery. Click here or go to the Gallery list a look for "Mod-ed Gibbs" in the Recently Modified Galleries list.

- Tere