Show it or shave with it?

**Mr. Styptic** · 10-26-2010, 10:09 AM

Just obtained in a trade what I think is a 1940s Aristocrat, though I'll need to poke around in Wiki to be sure. This gold razor sparkles! I'd swear it's been replated because it seems that the plating is OVER a few scratches on the head, rather than the scratches cutting into the plating. On the other hand, the TTO mechanism works silky smooth. It seems that soap and cream have never made their way into the mechanism to gunk it up to any degree whatsoever.

So, do I shave with it, or just look at and admire it?

I know there's no right or wrong answer, but what would you do?

BTW, have any of you come across rejuvenated razors from the '40s? And I mean with the mechanism taken apart for cleaning and lubrication, along with replating. It's my only explanation for the exceptional condition of this razor. If it was NOS, it couldn't have scratches under the plating on the head, right?

Thanks for any and all input.

**michiganlover** · 10-26-2010, 11:27 AM

Shave with it. Razors are tools meant to be used, not admired from a far in my opinion.

**fisherbln** · 10-26-2010, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by michiganlover

Shave with it. Razors are tools meant to be used, not admired from a far in my opinion.

I agree. Unless it is NOS, there is no reason not to shave with it.

**kg4ghn** · 10-26-2010, 11:36 AM

If it IS re-plated then it lost it's collectors value.

Even if it isn't re-plated I would still shave with it.

**Copierguy** · 10-26-2010, 12:15 PM

I think this may be a trick question....I'll need to see a photo first...

**alex2363** · 10-26-2010, 12:22 PM

both......

**alex2363** · 10-26-2010, 12:23 PM

darn...the shave it has over by 90%

**Slivovitz** · 10-26-2010, 12:29 PM

The right answer for me would be to shave with it even if it were NOS. Or sell it at a profit if that were an option. The right answer for the OP is whatever suits him, it's his razor.

**Omaha-BeenGlockin** · 10-26-2010, 01:18 PM

What's the point of having nice things if you aren't going to use them?

**Sami_Sdata** · 10-26-2010, 01:23 PM

If it were mine I'd shave with it. A beautiful piece of engineering like that should be used for that which it was designed.

**bythbook** · 10-26-2010, 01:23 PM

oh, shave with it... I would only suggest keeping it for show if it were new in original packaging - only opened, never used.

...and even then................

**luvmysuper** · 10-26-2010, 01:25 PM

You can do both.

**bythbook** · 10-26-2010, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by luvmysuper

You can do both.

how did you vote in the poll?????

**pz93c** · 10-26-2010, 01:30 PM

Shave.

**gearchow** · 10-26-2010, 01:41 PM

I'll go with a different answer:

get another one and shave with the less pretty one.

-jim

**BladeRunner001** · 10-26-2010, 01:42 PM

I say do both

, but there was no choice for that. Enjoy it while you've got it.

**Mr. Styptic** · 10-26-2010, 01:47 PM

Wow! Not even close, so far; 94% say shave with it. Guess I know what I'll be shaving with tomorrow. That was my intention this morning, but I couldn't bring myself to cover that razor with soap scum. On the other hand, the TTO works so well, I just have to clamp those doors down on a blade and get to it. I suppose Omaha Been-Glockin was right, what's the point of having nice things...

And a nod to Archerfire, who sent me this beauty (and others) in a series of trades. Great guy to deal with. Thanks, Randy!

**cnnc97** · 10-26-2010, 01:50 PM

Shave with it tomorrow and let us know how it goes. Let's see some pics too.

**workingdog** · 10-26-2010, 01:51 PM

I would use it for its intended purpose

Having a background in engineering I can enjoy the workmanship but there are only so many times that you can marvel at the aesthetics without wondering how well it does the job