Pot Metal, Zamak Vs. Brass, Stainless Steel

[LiveOak]

I am assuming that most of the newer DE razors (obviously things like Pils and Feather Stainless excluded) are made of some type of alloy. Am I mistaken about this? The "How It's Made" feature on DE razors showed an expensive Vision being made of zinc. What are some of the benefits of brass and stainless? Is it durability?

[inkcoffee]

After the plating is worn on zamak, it is highly vulnerable to corrosion. This is something that you need not worry about with brass and stainless steel. This is why the only Merkur I currently own is the new "bakelite" 45.

[wulfgar1976]

After the plating is worn on zamak, it is highly vulnerable to corrosion. This is something that you need not worry about with brass and stainless steel. This is why the only Merkur I currently own is the new "bakelite" 45.

Merkur's plating is less than exemplary. Although Muehle also use zamak, the quality of their plating is outstanding so I wouldn't be inclined to worry about buying one of their razors.

[Doug_in_NNY]

Fa Tip is an Italian maker of at least one particular OC DE razor. For a time Muhle used a Fa Tip head on something they labeled R41. Or was it R89. Or maybe it was both. The Fa Tip razor (and that head) is nickel-plated brass. Perhaps when Muhle used it on their razor it was chrome-plated. My knowledge is limited on this, and I'm sure someone else can weigh in for clarification.

Parker razors are nickel-plated brass. Parker quality is improving in recent years.

If every DE maker who now uses Zamac would switch to brass, and charge more, I'd buy them in a heartbeat and gladly pay more.

[LiveOak]

Fa Tip is an Italian maker of at least one particular OC DE razor. For a time Muhle used a Fa Tip head on something they labeled R41. Or was it R89. Or maybe it was both. The Fa Tip razor (and that head) is nickel-plated brass. Perhaps when Muhle used it on their razor it was chrome-plated. My knowledge is limited on this, and I'm sure someone else can weigh in for clarification.

Parker razors are nickel-plated brass. Parker quality is improving in recent years.

If every DE maker who now uses Zamac would switch to brass, and charge more, I'd buy them in a heartbeat and gladly pay more.


Here's my Fatip. Great razor. Is just the head brass or the handle as well?

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l54/filegumbo/001-1.jpg

[jcwit]

Folks need to do a complete read on Zamak, its a name applied to many different alloys with zinc and aluminum being the main ingreidents.

See Here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zamak

Some of the alloys are very corrosion resistant.


After the plating is worn on zamak, it is highly vulnerable to corrosion.

Do you have first hand experience with this?:w00t:

[Doug_in_NNY]

Responding to LiveOak:

The blue and white carton containing my Fa Tip says: "il rasoio de sicurezza tutto in ottone." Google translation (my apologies to Italian B&B members): "The safety razor all in brass."

[Kevan]

All my Merkurs are at least 2 years old so the quality of the plating is just a notch below Edwin Jagger and Muhle....many reports say that the current quality of plating is getting worse though. My recently-purchased Parker 82R is stunning....nothing like the sloppily-plated Parkers of old. Clean, uniform, no splotches to be seen. If I didn't already know it was a Parker, I'd guess it shipped from the Muhle factory in Germany.

[dtom]

I'm really disappointed that there aren't more solid stainless razors to choose from- I think the outrageously expensive (for what it is) Feather 3 piece solid SS is the only one I know of, and I'd rather have a one piece TTO. On the other hand, who can compete with the millions of vintage Gillettes out there that are selling for practically nothing?