The BRGAS (Back Roads Gold Appreciation Society)

[Joezamboni]

Alright, time to check out what I received!

A tuned up Fatboy, a mirror nickel Fatboy, a Milord converted to a ranger and a ”factory fresh” Slim.

First thing to note, Chris’s tune up service is amazing if the plating is in good shape without deep marks. It really brought a Fatboy that was bent back to to life as new with a great polish. Center is ”tune up” fatboy, left is a “factory fresh“ slim, and right is a near mint untouched slim

and my final thoughts on Chris’ services in general
Some of these are untouched and replated by others. His competition that also is in good standing has a different approach, both with different benefits that offer a great product. I will definitely consider both replaters depending on what I’m looking for in the future.

His tuneup is his best value service if your plating is good.

Its worth it to bite the bullet for the mirror nickel over factory fresh.

Factory fresh covers up small blemishes (the slim I sent had corroded to brass slightly in spots) but deep ones that need to be polished out or the original finish to be stripped will still show slightly. Can’t tell in the photos but it’s something for those that may be obsess over finer details.

While my photos focus on finishes that are supposed to retain the factory look let’s not forget his mirror finish

 

[Joezamboni]

Can’t edit again so adding the ”factory fresh” slim and tuned up fatboy in more forgiving light. My initial hard top view of the silo doors didn’t really do the whole look justice.

 

[Majmvt]

Look at Chris’ work on this 1957 SS C4. Just beautiful. Flawless (which is way more than you can say about me). Even though I am an SE guy, I can’t wait to use this razor.

 

[Linedog59]

Why yes Chris strikes again!!!!

 

[Cal]

My newly Mirror Nickel plated New Improved Tuckaway set just landed today (after spending more than two weeks in the black hole called HM Customs [in the UK]).

I sent it to my good friend Doug (@Rosseforp) who flattened the handle's tail piece for me (so it stands up nicely for photos). Doug then sent it in to BRG with some of his gear. On receipt from BRG he sent it back to me (along with another special custom handle he's made for me ).

 

[Chan Eil Whiskers]

My newly Mirror Nickel plated New Improved Tuckaway set just landed today (after spending more than two weeks in the black hole called HM Customs [in the UK]).

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I sent it to my good friend Doug (@Rosseforp) who flattened the handle's tail piece for me (so it stands up nicely for photos). Doug then sent it in to BRG with some of his gear. On receipt from BRG he sent it back to me (along with another special custom handle he's made for me ).
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Beautiful.

 

[MaineYooper]

@Cal, Congratulations! that is gorgeous!

 

[Cal]

My newly Mirror Nickel plated New Improved Tuckaway set just landed today [March 4th] (after spending more than two weeks in the black hole called HM Customs [in the UK]).

And now that Mad March has finished, I got my first shave with it today. Fabulous!

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Vintage April, 2023 — SOTD

Brush: Shavemac "Kleiner Bayer" 14/42 Silvertip D01 2-Band
Soap: Clubman
Razor: 1920s Gillette New Improved Tuckaway
Blade: Gillette 7o'clock Black (1)
ASL: Clubman VIBR

An excellent shave.

I shaved for a week with this Tuckaway and loved it. Now, just after its first use since replating, it shaves even better! Three cheers to Chris at Back Roads Gold for his exemplary work!


Happy shaves guys.

 

[know1special]

After many years of reading about BRG and all the great work Chris does for our community, I finally took the plunge. Here is an absolutely stunning pre-war Tech that I just picked up from his Etsy storefront:

As expected, the finish is utterly spotless and you'd be forgiven for thinking this razor was made last week...not nearly a century ago. Bravo, Chris! You deserve every bit of your stellar reputation!

 

[Obetron Rex]

Here is my (new to me) stunning Fatboy G2 in white platinum by BRG! It looks and works fantastic. I didn't send it to Chris myself, I bought it from someone that specializes in Fatboys that BRG does all the plating for. I did send in an M1 Slim myself to be done in white platinum that I should receive in a couple days and will post. I'll put the Fatboy to work later today. Chris at BRG does great work!

 

[BradWorld]

Im just gonna leave this here. A little teaser on my razors that just came out of plating. Chris's pic. Yummy! Great for vintage April!

 

[OhioBob]

Chris @ Back Roads Gold does it again. My '48 Aristocrat needed an end cap re-attached and we just went ahead and re-plated it. Yet another outstanding job!

 

[Obetron Rex]

My M1 Slim arrived a day early from BRG in white platinum. Came out excellent! More great work from Chris at BRG. Here's the Slim and the Slim with its fat buddy the G2.

 

[Feldgrun]

I've been reading great things about Chris and his work, so I decided to send him some of my worst. A Gillette Senator with a broken collar, bent combs, and a scarred up face. Also a beat-up Milord whose doors wouldn't open properly, and which I wanted in nickel, like a Ranger. The Fatboy was to see what he could do mechanically (he fixed it to function perfectly).

To say that I'm impressed is an understatement. I would trust Chris with any razor I have, regardless of its value.

 

[MaineYooper]

I've been reading great things about Chris and his work, so I decided to send him some of my worst. A Gillette Senator with a broken collar, bent combs, and a scarred up face. Also a beat-up Milord whose doors wouldn't open properly, and which I wanted in nickel, like a Ranger. The Fatboy was to see what he could do mechanically (he fixed it to function perfectly).

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To say that I'm impressed is an understatement. I would trust Chris with any razor I have, regardless of its value.

A wonderful endorsement and what an interesting challenge given Chris, and completed so beautifully!

 

[MaineYooper]

I am calling this a memorial razor. This is a D-3 Fatboy (technically a Gillette Executive Adjustable), very similar to what my Dad bought for himself in 1958 when he went off to college. This appeared on a BST, and was replated in 2018 by Chris at Back Roads Gold in rhodium. Set at 6, it gave me an outstanding shave these past two days.

 

[BobbyBacala]

Has anyone in here got factory finished replate not the mirror nickle?

 

[Mr_Ryan]

Discovered this thread when researching how to replate a couple Gillettes that were worse for wear with plate loss and pitting. They are now like new! Thanks to Chris.
D1 TV Special and G2 Fatboy, both mirror nickel.

 

[Cal]

Welcome to B&B @Mr_Ryan.

That was a great first post.

 

[LRod]

I guess nobody has written here in a while. I wrote Chris to ask about plating a stainless steel razor in Gold and he says he doesn't do stainless anymore. Anyone know who does?