Razor Replating

[SafetyRazorDave]

Hey all,

So I had been considering getting a few of my razors replated. I even sent a few inquiry emails to a website that offers such service. But lately I was thinking that I kind of like the razors the way they are. It's not an issue of functionality, only aesthetics.

Even the razor with the worst plating loss, my gold ball-end Gillette Tech, isn't that bad and I kind of like the look of it. I can see that if a razor is totally cruddy and rusty then a replate may be in order, but I'm talking about pure aesthetics here.

Am I the only only the feels that some signs of wear and tear on an old razor add some character to it? I'm afraid if I get them replated they will loose their personality! It's an old razor and should show some wear, and some wear means it's been loved. I got into this to shave, not to collect. The signs of wear are from the razors being shaved with, and isn't that a good thing? Seriously, does anyone else know what I'm talking about and agree? :tongue_sm

Btw, this isn't meant to be a post bashing replating. I have nothing against it and I'm not debating the ethics of it, just stating how I feel about making my used razors look brand new again, if you know what I mean. :001_smile

Thanks for reading!

[jansob]

To me it's a matter of degree...I have a couple that are really bad, and those will be replated and brought back to their former glory...others have a bit of wear and will remain the way they are.

[tchmango]

You know some of my razors are OK wearing the experiences of time as reflected in their appearance. Then I have a few (primarily gold plated) razors that just look nasty with plate loss. Sure there is no loss of function or capability from plate loss. Ultimately I use a case by case basis to determine when to re-plate. Factors such as original purchase price, cost to plate etc. How much I like the razor and long term plan for the razor affect my decision. There is no right or wrong.

[SafetyRazorDave]

To me it's a matter of degree...I have a couple that are really bad, and those will be replated and brought back to their former glory...others have a bit of wear and will remain the way they are.

Agreed. Mine aren't really bad so will remain the way they are.


You know some of my razors are OK wearing the experiences of time as reflected in their appearance. Then I have a few (primarily gold plated) razors that just look nasty with plate loss. Sure there is no loss of function or capability from plate loss. Ultimately I use a case by case basis to determine when to re-plate. Factors such as original purchase price, cost to plate etc. How much I like the razor and long term plan for the razor affect my decision. There is no right or wrong.

Totally agree here too, no right or wrong. :001_smile

[cnnc97]

I have a late 40's Aristocrat where the handle is about 2/3 nickel instead of gold. For that reason I have been considering getting it replated. The top of the doors are worn and don't look great, I can live with that. It's the multi colored handle that has me considering it.

[alex2363]

i like that new car smell of a replate razor

[GeorgeMason]

I think its to each their own on the subject of replating. I have a well worn Aristocrat that I plan on getting replated, and while I am at it I may get my Tech plated as well, while my Rocket still looks good so I will leave it alone. Even though the Aristocrat and the Tech function perfectly I just think they deserve a new coat

[internet]

Which types of Gillettes are worth re-plating? and could you recommend a company that re plates razors. TIA

[cnnc97]

There are a couple of users on here. Ontonoman, Cooncatbob and Buddydog. Reliable Electroplating in Massachussetts has also been recommended.

I would suggest checking the yellow pages for replating services in your area. If you can find one that does restoration work you can save on shipping it back and forth and risking the mail service losing your razor.

[GeorgeMason]

Now if I were able to find someone local to relpate my Aristocrat, is there a tutorial on taking it apart and putting it back together? I am sure that The Chrome Pit, The local plater here, would know much about stripping down and rebuilding a TTO razor

[alex2363]

Which types of Gillettes are worth re-plating? and could you recommend a company that re plates razors. TIA

use our members they have a reliable track record, onotoman, did few mine, nice work, buddydog too

[SafetyRazorDave]

use our members they have a reliable track record, onotoman, did few mine, nice work, buddydog too

Just out of curiousity, what metal were your razors done in? I see most vintage Gillette's are nickel plated, but some were rhodium. I considered the rhodium plating route, but it's kinda $$$.

[crugg]

Is it really worth re-plating? For antique purposes. Doesn't it lower the actually value of the piece in the long run?

[jansob]

I would only replete a razor I did not intend to sell...you'd ruin any collectible value and never get enough to cover the cost of replating. I have replated the New I use the most. Very glad I did as it was very grody.

[Go West Young Man]

Is it really worth re-plating? For antique purposes. Doesn't it lower the actually value of the piece in the long run?

It's not like you can devalue a $10 Tech or a $20 Superspeed very much.

[internet]

Re:
Originally Posted by crugg
Is it really worth re-plating? For antique purposes. Doesn't it lower the actually value of the piece in the long run?





How can you tell that a razor was replated?

[Go West Young Man]

How can you tell that a razor was replated?

The absolute perfection of it's finish.

[jansob]

Yes, they look utterly new (after all, the entire outside surface IS new) as long as there were no bad scratches and the prep was done well. Even an NOS razor should have a tiny bit of dulling and oxidation.

I fully expect to start seeing replated Fatboys on the 'bay soon since the price just keeps getting crazier and crazier.

[Hank21]

Not that I'm considering it but how much does it cost to replate?
All the razors I have are in excellent condition.

Any prices (Chrome):

Ball Handle Tech = $?
Flare Tip Super Speed = $?
Fat Boy = $?

Does anyone know what's involved in replating a more complex razor like an adjustable? Does replating change the shaving characterisitics of the razor?

[jansob]

I've only had a 3-piece done, so don't know about TTOs. When you said chrome I'm assuming you meant nickel (that's what the ordinary Gillette was originally plated in.) I'd expect $30-35 for a 3-piece in nickel, but that's just a guess. PM onotoman or buddydog and ask...you're not committing to anything by inquiring.

Oh, forgot...in my case I felt that the razor shaved better because it was smoother. But that could easily be confirmation bias (ie: I expected it to, and wanted it to, so I felt that it did). My razor was also totally worn to the brass on the head, as I think a previous owner tried to polish it.

[Hank21]

Thanks.

I got an unused 1956 Tech for $5 a couple of weeks ago from ebay. The razor is older than me and looks brand new. I could see replating an old razor with a worn/damaged finish if they were all like that but my first inclination would be to try and get one in good condition.

Does anyone know if it's possible to replate the black handle Gillettes?

[proxymoron]

Does anyone know what's involved in replating a more complex razor like an adjustable?

Should be the same as a three piece. From what I recall of a thread by members more knowledgeable than me, the old TTOs were assembled before they were plated, so whatever tolerances are required should be already built in.

[Hank21]

"the old TTOs were assembled before they were plated"

Thanks. I thought the parts were chromed before the razor was assembled. I wonder how they kept the adjustment tab from being chromed?

[BigFoot]

I fully expect to start seeing replated Fatboys on the 'bay soon since the price just keeps getting crazier and crazier.


And will they tell anyone they have been re-plated or will the price just go to the $400.00 range?:w00t:

[Sebvelez]

TTOs don't need to be disassembled to be re plated. They have enough tolerances for the plating.

I have no issues with repeating. Just issues with anyone trying to make a buck from selling fake re plated NOS razors. I've restored plenty of cars, brought them back to their former glory... Why not razors? I actually enjoy using some of my re plated razors more than my mint ones.... Just because I feel I don't have to be as careful with them; they are not as sacred. That said, I also like signs of wear on razors; reminds me they have been around for quite a long time.

[internet]

I am not a collector and a good re-plated rhodium Gillette will do for me.

[oxema]

I traded a New Type for some soaps.

It didn't look nice

http://s2.up.picr.de/4996949.jpg

With new coating
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/8331/dscf4926e.th.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/dscf4926e.jpg/)

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2808/dscf4927j.th.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/i/dscf4927j.jpg/)

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/360/dscf4933h.th.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/i/dscf4933h.jpg/)

I paid nothing for the coating. :tongue_sm

[fisherbln]

I traded a New Type for some soaps.

It didn't look nice


I paid nothing for the coating. :tongue_sm

Nice job! I've been thinking about ordering a kit and trying out some amateur nickel plating. Doesn't look like it is that hard... (famous last words)

[malocchio]

I've only had a 3-piece done, so don't know about TTOs. When you said chrome I'm assuming you meant nickel (that's what the ordinary Gillette was originally plated in.) I'd expect $30-35 for a 3-piece in nickel, but that's just a guess. PM onotoman or buddydog and ask...you're not committing to anything by inquiring.

Oh, forgot...in my case I felt that the razor shaved better because it was smoother. But that could easily be confirmation bias (ie: I expected it to, and wanted it to, so I felt that it did). My razor was also totally worn to the brass on the head, as I think a previous owner tried to polish it.

NO ! I don't think so !! you are not imagining the difference...if you put the razor under a 100 X microscope and looked at it before and after you will see the plating has smoothed,sealed and shined the surfaces.....that's why you do not plate a razor with huge nicks or dents,they do not come out,but small scratches and metal wear are certainly smoothed out,enabling the razor to more fluidly "glide" over your face,this applies to closed or open comb...

[buddydog]

Small scratches and wear are not smoothed out by plating.The razor must be sanded and polished before plating.Even the tiniest scratch will show.If the razor isn't shiny before plating it will not be shiny after plating.

[jansob]

So it probably is smoother, but only since the preparer polished it first. Hadn't really thought about it...I always assumed the replating did it, but it was actually the prep!

Seems prep is important in many areas...

[slpknt10l03]

bought this on ebay from somebody who apparently drowned this tech in a cleaning solution that removed much of the handle plating (more elsewhere) so now i have a plating project too! lol :thumbup:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oFSb3RmfBjg/TMZczeTfCII/AAAAAAACe98/zABrNjocIws/s640/IMG_8367.JPG

[SafetyRazorDave]

I think I've decided to have my Fat Boy replated....I think it would look absolutely stunning in rhodium..... :biggrin1:

I took the jump. I'm sending it off tomorrow to get a complete make-over with rhodium plating. I suddenly have a feeling that my Fat Boy will become my main razor...:biggrin1: :biggrin1: