"FIX" razor planes

20 years ago, I bought 2 "FIX" Razor Planes, made in Solingen Germany. They are the best I've ever used, and work on balsa, BB ply, Maple MM stock; and then I can still use the same blade on balsa again.

I'm almost out of blades, now. Does anyone know where I can still obtain these blades?

I am in the same "Fix", and went to Hobby Lobby where I thought I had gotten the thing the first time. They now stock a Solengin one, go see:

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/planer.htm

I think I will try it and stock up on LOTS of blades!

Do you have a "WOODCRAFTERS" near by? Take it into them and you could get lucky. And you could find your blade........lol

I wonder if the "Scary Sharp" method would work on these blades. Do a web search on "Scary Sharp". It involves using finer and finer grades of wet and dry paper to sharpen dull blades (down to 1200 grit).

Duh! I do "Scary Sharp" with my WW planes and chisels. Hadn't even conceived of using that method with the little FIX blades, but haven't been an active modeler for a bunch of years, either!

I'll bet I can rig a blade holder to do just that! Thanks for waking me up!

BTW, for those who don't know about "Scary Sharp", you can get W/D sandpaper up to 2000-grit at Auto Parts Supply places like Auto-Zone and Krager's.

I e-mailed a question to Hobby Lobby about their plane. Here is the question and answer:

To: sales
Subject: Solengin planer

Are the blades for your Solengin hobby planer stainless steel or high carbon steel? Are they standard double edge razor blades or a custom size?

Hello Larry,

Thanks for the email.

The blades are the same size as a standard double edge razor blade.

They are a high carbon steel and hold an edge for quite a while.

Please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can help with anything else.

Thanks,
David Henderson
Hobby-Lobby International, Inc.
615-373-1444 ex212

Sounds good to me!!!

Hi guys, I bought the same razor plane from Nexus Modelling Supplies while I was at the Harrogate Model Trade Show on Nov.30th @ £4 with one blade. This plane is identical to the one on Hobby-Lobby, Nexus also sell the blades at £2.50 for ten well worth it, they are the same size as a normal double edge blade just a bit thicker. Their website address is http://fp.blueone.plus.com or e-mail [email protected]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-03 AT 07:52 AM (CST)
 
My "Little Giant" (early version without the handle) is still hanging in there. It uses double edge razor blades also.

OK, fess up! How many are old enough to have used three-piece double edge razors? Hold up your hand now!

George

Edit: Make that three-piece - top and bottom for blade, handle screwed in to hold them together.

LAST EDITED ON Dec-17-03 AT 08:58 AM (CST)
 
Aw, geez, you ain't got to be THAT old to have used them, do you!! LOL!!!

Still have one of my old "flip top" Gillette safety razors, but I just use the double edge razor blades for my planer now, not my face.

Edit: I think I still have a three piece around here!

Bill <><

I got one and STILL use it. The blades for it are now mostly stainless and do not stay sharp as long.

I got two azor planes and use them only occasionally.

I got to go to Hobby Lobby today anyway, so I might look for their blades.

Bigiron

> My "Little Giant" (early version without the handle) is
>still hanging in there. It uses double edge razor blades
>also.
>
> OK, fess up! How many are old enough to have used
>three-piece double edge razors? Hold up your hand now!
>
> George
>
>Edit: Make that three-piece - top and bottom for blade,
>handle screwed in to hold them together.

I'm not old enough to have used one of those but I still have my fathers here. I did use the pop up type briefly till the intro of the first disposable razor. You couldn't pay me to shave with one of those things today. Dennis

Worse yet, one of my kids gave me a brand new razor like that for some holiday or other, years ago.

LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-03 AT 06:56 PM (CST)
 
Solengin blades are indeed slightly thicker than normal double edge blades. Back before I found out that Hobby Lobby was caring the blades I did a web search on Solengin and found the slightly thicker blades. They work better because not only are they better steel they are thicker and do not bend. I purchased 20 of them which should last me the rest of my life at the rate I use the plane and at the rate the blade getts dull!
If you want plain carbon double edge blades for triming covering or what ever, go to E-BAY and put the word razor into the search function. You are looking for a "brick" of 100 or 200 blades. Should cost you about $20 or so.

Incidentally, I bought one of those newfangled electric planes (I think they're Top Flite brand). Haven't had a chance to use it yet, so I can't give any reports as to how it works. The last time I planed wood on a model, I used a Master Airscrew plane, which works OK most of the time..