I have owned and used a Merkur for about 4 years now. I believe it is a Classic 33C without looking. No problems with it until recently. I may use the wrong terminology, but where the head or top of the razor fits into the handle has suddenly started slipping out of place. When I dip it in the water to clean off the soap between shaving strokes, it is prone to fall off. And I have even noticed that it has started slipping out of place during the shaving stroke itself. Should the razor wear out at that location? Am I missing something obvious that would keep it tight and secure? Any help is appreciated. I can upload pics if allowed and if it helps.
First, welcome to the Den. Be sure to sign up for the March Newbie Give-Away. Some pics would sure be helpful. Are you saying the head is no longer being held tight by the threads? If that's the case, try some Teflon tape.
This sounds like the threads may have been stripped, so the top cap won't remain in place. Overtightening the head—however slight, overtime, will eventually cause the threads to deteriorate and lose their 'grip.'
I agree. Sounds like the threads are stripped. Putting Teflon tape on it might help, but you would have to do it every time you changed the blade. Sounds like it's time for a new razor. Be sure to use a lighter hand when tightening the head in the future.
I don't know if this helps you or not but if you need a new top cap this site carries the parts. Not sure if they have the right one but its worth a shot. I've also never dealt with them so can't vouch for them. Techichishave
If you go the route of buying replacement parts, just make sure to see where the threads are actually worn. You may find they're worn on the stud in the head and inside the handle. If that's the case, you might be better off just buying a new razor since you'd be buying 2 of the 3 parts anyway.
I'll attempt to post a couple pics. The issue is not with the threaded area. It is where the two parts shown in the picture slide together.
Ahh, I had the same problem with an old Tech. Apply some water-proof adhesive and it should stay put.
Yes, the threaded insert has worked loose from the handle. A little 5 minute epoxy should take care of that, but the same caveat applies. Don't over tighten the head.
Silver solder would last forever but the heat needed to melt it would probably ruin the chrome plating. I'd go with some JB Weld epoxy or something like that. Should fix it right up.
I would recommend something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/161191949004?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Some may think yes thats just 2 part epoxy, but it isnt. It is flexible epoxy. When you are bonding metal (or when I set knots in metal handled brushes) you need to use a flexible epoxy due to the expansion and contraction of the metal as it is exposed to hot water. Eventually regular epoxy will fail due to this. It dires hard the metal expands pulling it away and the epoxy fails. This stays flexible and will last forever. Best of luck.
Just a quick update here as I am the original poster. Last night as I was applying teflon tape to the razor I noticed for the first time a very slight crack to the handle where the top of the razor slides in. Obviously, the crack in that area prevents the top from staying securely in place once it slides into position. So that answers the question. Sometimes we just miss seeing what's right under our noses, ahem. Little shaving humor there. On the bright side, time for a new safety razor.
The epoxy fix would still work and probably for quite a while. Of course, a new one sounds pretty good too.
