Merkur 34G

[mrozowjj]

Is the G actually gold plated or is it just some kind of gold colored anodizing chemical type thing? I'm trying to decide if I want to bother with the gold version or not and if it's just a coating that is going to scratch off I'll stick with the chrome.

[cfriend]

I don't think it's gold, but I don't know much about Merkurs.

[slantman]

Its probably electroplated gold over brass. With care these razors last a long time without any plate loss. However they have nothing to do with the shave quality just looks pretty.

[michiganlover]

Based upon the selling price, I am 100% that it is just a gold colored coating. Plating in real gold would make the resulting item cost a fortune.

[funkyb]

Gold electroplating for decoration is pretty thin (~.5µm I think?), I think you can get it done to suitable objects for just a few bucks per square inch. One of my old prof's does it to vintage pens, I could ask if anyone really is curious.

[mrozowjj]

Sounds like I'm getting the chrome.

[njpaddy]

I have a 34G. I am more careful cleaning this one than my other razors. See this thread on cleaning a Merkur gold.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=1342349

[JPM]

Based upon the selling price, I am 100% that it is just a gold colored coating. Plating in real gold would make the resulting item cost a fortune.

+1. Although it would be interesting to have a vault full of actual gold Merkurs as an investment. :lol::lol:

[michiganlover]

Gold electroplating for decoration is pretty thin (~.5µm I think?), I think you can get it done to suitable objects for just a few bucks per square inch. One of my old prof's does it to vintage pens, I could ask if anyone really is curious.

Plating in real gold would be something hyped when the item is marketed. Regardless of the actual cost of the gold, the resulting razor would have a high price tag, as a gold plated item is perceived to be a premium, and hence very expensive item.

[cooncatbob]

Plating in real gold would be something hyped when the item is marketed. Regardless of the actual cost of the gold, the resulting razor would have a high price tag, as a gold plated item is perceived to be a premium, and hence very expensive item.

Actually plating in gold is comparable in price to chrome plating, both need to be done over nickel, but chrome requires more electricity or so my plater told me which is why it's hard to find someone to chrome plate small parts.
The amount of gold in the plating is so small as to be insignificant.
The labor involved is more costly then the materials used.

[Nils]

In Germany, those razors are sold as "vergoldet", which means that the coating legally HAS to be gold (however thin), otherwise this kind of marketing would be strictly verboten.

[dt_in_av]

Is the G actually gold plated or is it just some kind of gold colored anodizing chemical type thing? I'm trying to decide if I want to bother with the gold version or not and if it's just a coating that is going to scratch off I'll stick with the chrome.

I knew that Merkur, without a doubt, was gold plated, but just to be sure I emailed Merkur so that the nay-sayers could not refute the proof. I just received an email from Frau Rothstein at Merkur in Germany. She is the spokesman for them and she confirms that ALL Merkurs labeled gold are indeed 24 carat gold plated. The plating is very thin; my guess is at 0.5-0.7 microns thick. So there you have it! Merkur quality.

Happy shaving,

Dan

Currently own a Merkur gold Futur and a Merkur gold 34G. The Futur is my favorite.


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[dreadpirate]

I have a 37G and love it :thumbup:

[Nils]

Merkur quality.


Never use these words in conjunction when Michiganlover is around! :wink: