Replating: Rhodium vs Chrome?

[reyrascon]

Rhodium plating is more expensive, but is it better? Is it shinier, i.e. better looking? Is it more protective than chrome (or nickel)?

What say you B&B?

[Indigo3]

Rhodium outperforms Chrome and therefore Nickel on every level; it's harder, denser, more inert and brighter but not by much, it's also more expensive than Platinum (x10) last time I looked.

[reyrascon]

Rhodium outperforms Chrome and therefore Nickel on every level; it's harder, denser, more inert and brighter but not by much, it's also more expensive than Platinum (x10) last time I looked.

Thank you Indigo, you are a gentleman and a scholar!

[T-Dog]

Rhodium is the most expensive metal on earth. It is an unnecessary expense on a razor, as Nickel is also brighter than chrome, is very durable, and costs only a fraction of what rhodium costs.

[alex2363]

Rhodium, The best choice period.

[sensei_]

Do it once and do it right! No d*cking about with substandard half past 6 jobs thanks! :)

[Legion]

All the rhodium plated razors I have found have been more worn than the regular nickel ones. Does this mean it is less durable, or are they more thinly plated because of the cost? I'm not sure.

[onotoman]

Possibly thinner coating of Rhodium has been applied as it's so expensive.

Here's my take on this:

Nickel - Inexpensive, Durable and used on most razors prior to 1980s. Chrome was brought in because a tiny number of people are allergic to Nickel. Nickel has a nice warm colour to it. It may not be as hard as chrome or rhodium but most 60 year old razors have lasted well, so it's more than adequate in my opinion.

Chrome - Chome plating is applied over a coating of nickel and is harder but because it's a two stage process is more expensive to do. If Chrome were applied directly over the brass/copper it wouldn't last long as it's pourous (lets the water, air, soap in). Chome has a colder look to it. All modern Merkur, Timor, Edwin Jagger etc (other than gold plated models obviously) are Chrome Plated.

Rhodium - Mainly used to create 'White Gold' Jewellery - very expensive and in my opinion not necessary for a utility item like a razor. Very hard wearing and if done properly should last a lifetime.

Hope this helps.


All the rhodium plated razors I have found have been more worn than the regular nickel ones. Does this mean it is less durable, or are they more thinly plated because of the cost? I'm not sure.

[T-Dog]

All the rhodium plated razors I have found have been more worn than the regular nickel ones. Does this mean it is less durable, or are they more thinly plated because of the cost? I'm not sure.

Yes, gold and rhodium plating is done in very thin layers because of the exorbitant cost of the material. They will wear quicker--particularly if not lacquer coated--than either nickel or chrome. Also, if the plating is done too thin (and is not lacquer coated), the metal can even turn colors or tarnish--although it is actually the base layer underneath that is reacting through the thin layer of plating.

[xraygun]

I've been reading up on this and found that some processes used by jewelers is to plate with Palladium first and then flash the Rhodium on top of that. It seems to give excellent results in appearance, but I wonder about the durability.

[JonM]

I too would recommend nickel over chrome. If my recent experiences are any indication, it's definitely the better choice. Once chrome starts to flake, it's all downhill from there.

[kingfisher]

Possibly thinner coating of Rhodium has been applied as it's so expensive.

Here's my take on this:

Nickel - Inexpensive, Durable and used on most razors prior to 1980s. Chrome was brought in because a tiny number of people are allergic to Nickel. Nickel has a nice warm colour to it. It may not be as hard as chrome or rhodium but most 60 year old razors have lasted well, so it's more than adequate in my opinion.

Chrome - Chome plating is applied over a coating of nickel and is harder but because it's a two stage process is more expensive to do. If Chrome were applied directly over the brass/copper it wouldn't last long as it's pourous (lets the water, air, soap in). Chome has a colder look to it. All modern Merkur, Timor, Edwin Jagger etc (other than gold plated models obviously) are Chrome Plated.

Rhodium - Mainly used to create 'White Gold' Jewellery - very expensive and in my opinion not necessary for a utility item like a razor. Very hard wearing and if done properly should last a lifetime.

Hope this helps.

Thank you for bringing your expertise to this thread.

[mdw15]

I'm thinking about rhodium and am considering, with respect and appreciation for sharing his expertise, Onotoman's points about the various plating materials.


I gather that to achieve rhodium plating as durable as nickel or chrome-on-nickel the cost of the work would be on a level that is hard to justify, even for razor-addled fanatics like us.

[KM-instructor]

Rhodium outperforms Chrome and therefore Nickel on every level; it's harder, denser, more inert and brighter but not by much, it's also more expensive than Platinum (x10) last time I looked.

Yep what he said.

[xraygun]

Who does rhodium plating? I want my R41 plated!

[tnsplayer]

Rhodium is harder which thus makes it more brittle than nickel (think glass vs plastic for example). This, along with likely being thinner plated than nickel seems to be why rhodium razors can look more worn. A few jewelers websites have indicated the brittleness of rhodium means the jewelry will most definitely have to be replated in the future. Of course those are high wear items, I'm sure a rhodium replated razor would last many years. In my opinoin, Nothing beats a well preserved rhodium razor, they are a thing of beauty.