Rolls Razor handle/blade mismatch?

My Rolls Razor arrived today, all in all in beautiful shape... except I can't slide the blade (1939 date) onto the onto the fixed handle. Should the handle with the ball, which I have, be paired with a blade with some detent on the spline which receives the ball on the handle?? Is the ball is supposed to move into the handle as the blade slides in? Mine seems fixed or stuck. Help appreciated.

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Problem solved, just took a bit of force

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You unscrewed the handle to lower the ball, yes? But it is spring loaded, so the handle can probably go on with force. One slip though, and that blade won't stop until it hits bone, even if it's dull.

That handle is not unscrewing. Others have commented that it doesn't. Given the impeccable condition of the set I'm have a hard time believing I'd need to break out a vise and wrench to unscrew it.

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You unscrewed the handle to lower the ball, yes? But it is spring loaded, so the handle can probably go on with force. One slip though, and that blade won't stop until it hits bone, even if it's dull.

OK I'm convinced that the handle has internal rust) corrosion locking it up so will be prowling for a replacement. Have one super cheap set on the way.

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I would try some means that won't destroy the handle. Maybe some scrap leather on both halves to protect it from the vise and the pliers or whatever when force is finally applied? First, heat it a bit (gently) then spray with penetrating skunk piss and give it time to soak in. Even if it takes 24 hours, so what? Be patient. It probably hasn't been used for decades. You have time. Gently heat and spray even if it takes a few times. They aren't making anymore Rolls parts and what's out there is all that there is.

Having written that, I spent over $100 to get the parts from various kits that I required to put my Rolls into action. I had parts left over after everything was said and done, and still do. I had an idea of where I was going to go with the Rolls, but I had no specific idea of what it would take to get me there. The hardest part(s) to acquire were intact hones. Most were cracked and I decided I wasn't going to spend a lot per set so that limited what I would bid on and win at the auctions. It helps to bid a lot if one bids low as I did. I only placed a bid on a Rolls if the hone was intact. The rest of the parts just fell into place. Handles are easy, hones aren't.

To get the Rolls to work with my method one needs an intact hone and a strop with, at most, minor cuts. Minor cuts can be sanded out of the leather, but gashes can't be deep. No cuts in the strop are to be preferred. If one intends to experiment, and I suggest that they do, multiple strops are desired. There are various ways to finish the blade and each requires it's own strop. The strop side of the jig can be refitted with fresh leather if it's heavily gashed. But whatever you do, don't throw out any parts. They don't make new parts for the Rolls and maybe the old parts can be refurbished somewhere down the road. Strops definitely can be refurbished now; it's not difficult. But while seeing what was required I never did it with fresh leather; I just got the old Rolls strops up and running.

Dang! I wish TOST was up and running to give folks the benefit of my mentors words. But I'll do the best I can.

It's definitely a different and unique shave.