Threads causing plating damage

[Le Buzz]

Hi fellas,

I've been shaving with my new (and first DE) EJ89 Barley for about 2 weeks now and am noticing that the bottom piece of the head is getting damaged by the threads on the top piece of the head. The plating is scratched and I can see the brass colored underlying metal. I am guessing this is the zamex???

The damage in in the interior of the hole as the "screw" goes thru to connect with the handle. I am just wondering if everyone experiences this, and if you are worried about corrosion/rust due to the lack of plating in this area.

Should I replace the head??

[MacDaddy]

If you've been rough when taking the head apart or putting it back together I suppose the threads from the center post could certainly scratch the plating on the guard plate. I would think it would take some serious effort to do it just in the course of two weeks, though. I never had a problem like this with my DE89 in the several months I used it before it became incapacitated, but I'm also pretty gentle with my things.

If you've truly gone fully through the plating and exposed the underlying ZAMAK you will very likely run into corrosion problems at some point. However, I wouldn't run out and replace the head now just because of that. For one thing from the spot where it is the corrosion would have to get extremely bad for it to effect your shave or even be visible when the razor was assembled. I'd probably just let it ride.

[Le Buzz]

If you've been rough when taking the head apart or putting it back together I suppose the threads from the center post could certainly scratch the plating on the guard plate. I would think it would take some serious effort to do it just in the course of two weeks, though. I never had a problem like this with my DE89 in the several months I used it before it became incapacitated, but I'm also pretty gentle with my things.

If you've truly gone fully through the plating and exposed the underlying ZAMAK you will very likely run into corrosion problems at some point. However, I wouldn't run out and replace the head now just because of that. For one thing from the spot where it is the corrosion would have to get extremely bad for it to effect your shave or even be visible when the razor was assembled. I'd probably just let it ride.

Thanks... while I haven't been super careful with it I have treated it pretty well, I guess I'll just not worry about it until it gets really bad and then just replace the head. I'll certainly watch for this from now on.

I wish they would just make an all stainless steel version. I'd gladly pay upwards of $100 or even $150 for this razor in stainless, a small price to pay for a lifetime of worry free shaving.

[acupunkaz]

I had my EJ89 for two months when I started to see some plating problems and small pits showing up on the head. I contacted EJ directly and sent them some photos, they sent me a replacement head at no charge. I know it's not a high priced razor, but I felt that type of deterioration should not be happening so quickly.

Chad

[Go West Young Man]

That shouldn't happen after only 2 weeks - you shouldn't have a problem getting it replaced under warranty.

[BigFoot]

I never had a problem like this with my DE89 in the several months I used it before it became incapacitated

How did you kill your EJ Porter?

[Godan]

I wish they would just make an all stainless steel version. I'd gladly pay upwards of $100 or even $150 for this razor in stainless, a small price to pay for a lifetime of worry free shaving.

+1. I share your wish for more, higher-quality stainless razors. Feather and Pils do a good business, despite higher prices. Ikons sell out as soon as they appear. The robust market in vintage Gillette brass razors also indicates that shavers want something better than low-grade pot metal. If Merkur and those who buy zinc alloy heads from them do not grasp that a market exists, some offshore manufacturer will. The technology is not that challenging. Somebody enterprising could set up a cafeteria style product, say three heads, mild, medium and aggressive and two or three handle styles, priced under $200 - all of better quality than zinc alloy, which would not be hard. This is an attractive business opportunity, and I hope it happens.

[MacDaddy]

How did you kill your EJ Porter?

It weren't me, it were the missus (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/221186-Grrrrr...-Wife-in-the-doghouse).

[Le Buzz]

That shouldn't happen after only 2 weeks - you shouldn't have a problem getting it replaced under warranty.

Hmm... your comment makes me want to consider a warranty replacement, especially since I really do feel I've treated the razor pretty well.

Thanks all for the input.

[T-Dog]

The brass colored metal is brass which is used as an undercoat for the chrome plating. Any base metal would be beneath the brass layer. Plating coming off of threads is not entirely uncommon, as the threads are sharp and pressure is applied there when the razor is tightened. If it is minor, and located only on the threads, it may not be cause for concern. Still, it should not have happened after just a few weeks, and if you fear it may continue to peel away, you should probably look into a return.

[rajagra]

It could be that that spot is hard to plate effectively due to the process.
You could apply some WD40 to the hole and the thread and let it dry. Won't lubricate the parts much, but will repel water and dirt to reduce the risk of corrosion.