Questions about PAA Open Comb Bakelite Slant

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54
Recently I bought the Open Comb Bakelite Slant from Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements. I had quite a problem inserting the blade correctly because the distance of the centering pins is too close together and the blade is permanently deformed when you screw the razor together with a little force. In addition, there is the problem that everytime you change the blade material is scraped off the centering pins.

I sent an email to PAA and asked if this could possibly be a production error.

I quickly got an answer indicating that all the circumstances described are completely normal. That would be necessary so that the blade sits firmly in the razor.

Honestly, I am not convinced by this statement. I have never seen before any other DE razor where you have that much blade protrusion at the sides of the razors head and where the blade sticking out so much below the headplate. I have the impression that the razor's overall scale is not right and that every dimension of this razor is too small. I have quite a number of other DE razors and had nowhere any problem with misdimensioned distances of their centering pins or posts.

I have the impression that one tries to save the situation with such statements and to convince the customer that all this is completely normal. But that's just my very personal opinion.

I would like to know if there are other owners of the PAA Bakelite Slant here and what are their opinions about this matter.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about this.
 
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I have it, this is really how these razors works.

The twist is extensive and you are right about the blade exposure.

Used with Personna blades it is a formidable shaver that needs care due to how light the thing is.

Loading is the key, keep hold to the top cup and tight gently.
 
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Well, this might be a possible explanation. The Open Comb Bakelite Slant is a copy of the vintage Fasan DE razor that was produced around 1930. And the blades produced at this time looked quite different than todays DE blades. And probably the distance of the two centering pins was not the same.
 
Well, this might be a possible explanation. The Open Comb Bakelite Slant is a copy of the vintage Fasan DE razor that was produced around 1930. And the blades produced at this time looked quite different than todays DE blades. And probably the distance of the two centering pins was not the same.
The Fasan the PAAOCS is based upon was made SINCE the early thirties well into the fifties maybe longer. Modern blades fit the Fasan without any hassle. PAA has the tolerances on the centering pins slightly off, causing the effects you describe. With use, these will diminish. What will remain is the extreme torque and the blade-exposure: that is meant to be.
What you should do is use the thing :) Once you get used to the fact that its low mass does not equal the need to apply pressure you'll have great shaves with it.
 
I too notice the same and had a warped top cap but PAA have fantastic customer service and sent me a new one out to the U.K. for free! I now get outstanding daily shaves with a Gillette super platinum blade
 
I've not had any problems with mine, and it shaves well with any good quality blade. I have other vintage Bakelite DE razors, but this one is quite the noisiest of the lot. A bit disconcerting at first, but the feedback just adds to the feeling of efficiency.
 
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