Grandad-Primo Redux: How to Best Insert a Blade into a UTO* DE Razor

*UTO stands for unscrew to open; this includes all two- and three-piece razors, and does not include TTO (twist-to-open), butterfly-door style razors.

Two two-piece razors: Merkur 37C slant (left) and
Wilkinson Sword Classic (right). Both top caps are shown
in the proper orientation for blade insertion, although
a cloth on the counter between it and the top
cap will prevent marring a chrome finish.

Many shavers use UTO-design razors, but never learned to properly insert a blade. First, a bit about the razor design:

Above: An inexpensive three-piece razor shown with
baseplate clearly a separate piece from the handle.

A two-piece DE razor has a top cap and a separate handle-baseplate assembly. The key characteristic of this design is that the baseplate, with its safety bars, is attached to the handle. Some examples of razors of this design are the Merkur 34C HD, Wilkinson Sword Classic and Merkur 37C slant bar. The Wilkinson razor does not further disassemble, while the Merkur's handle-baseplate assembly can be further disassembled into the handle-baseplate piece, a threaded knob (that engages the threaded rod on the top cap), and a small spring ring, which retains the threaded knob in the barrel of the handle-baseplate piece.

A three-piece DE razor has a top cap, a separate baseplate, and a separate handle. When assembled, the threaded rod on the top cap screws into the threaded handle, and these two sandwich the baseplate in between.

 Press the baseplate firmly down against the top cap while
tightening the handle. Do put a cushioning cloth (not shown)
between the counter and the top cap to prevent damaging
the finish on the metal.

When inserting a blade, all UTO razors are best assembled upside down; that is, handle up, on a padded surface. The steps are as follows:

1. Put a towel or wash cloth on a counter. This is to prevent marring the finish of the metal top cap over time.
2. Put the razor's top cap on the cloth, with threaded rod pointing up.
3. Put the blade over the threaded rod and allow it to settle into the top cap. This is a key step, which allows the blade to initially self center as much as possible into the underside (which is now up) of the top cap.
4. Put the baseplate and handle over the threaded rod of the top cap, but don't screw it tight yet.
5. With the razor still upside down (handle up) on the counter, with your fingers press the baseplate down onto the blade and top cap. This is also a key step, which tends to maintain the blade in its self-centered position and not allow it to shift.
6. Tighten the handle to lock the blade in position within the razor head.



Verify even blade reveal by looking straight
down at the top cap of the assembled razor.

7. Verify even blade reveal by looking straight down on the top cap.

Now you're ready to shave with your UTO razor. Make it a good one.

Happy shaving!