Anyone else thinking of polishing their Tradere handle?

[turtle]

I got in my Tradere head on Monday and I have been looking at it and the handle for he past 4 days and have been trying to decide what to do. I have not shaved with it yet and it is bothering me to just let it sit unused.

I, like many B&B members bought the Tradere handle a few months ago when Richard offered them as an early peek at what he was doing. It's a great handle and I like the shape and feel of it.

When the razor head came in it was very high polish finish but the handle is mat/satin finished. When I mated them together on Monday I was hit by a duh moment. I had seen the pics that were posted of the head but it never occurred to me that it was a different finish than the handle.

I have talked to Richard about the mismatch in finish and he said that the handle could be polished to match the head but that he did not plan on changing the finish of either the head or handle since both are already in production. I asked him if he would mind if I posted about this mismatch and see what other B&B members thought of the difference in finish so don't get the impression that I am trying to bad rap his product or blind side him (remember I have sat here for 4 days contemplating this before posting).

Does the mismatch in finish bother anyone else who has purchased this razor?

I held off buying the Weber razor because of the different finish between the head and handle. Granted there is a BIG difference on that razor. I feel that a high end razor should have all components of it matching, not only in style but in finish as well.

I have put the head on other handles I own and I find that the high polished handles look a lot better on the high polish Tradere head then the mat/satin handle does

So.....

What are your thoughts on the handle/head of the Tradere razor? Polish the handle to match the head? Mate the head with a different high polish handle? Hike up your skirt Nancy and just shave with it?

Rather than stuff this post full of pictures I have made a slide show with the different handles on the Tradere head

http://s1066.photobucket.com/albums/...view=slideshow

[kingfisher]

Is the handle really a matte finish? Mine looks high-gloss except for the area of very fine knurling. I was under the impression that the fineness of the knurling was what gave the handle its satin appearance.

I don't have the head to compare it with, so maybe I'm way off base here.

[Snargle]

I also noticed the difference as soon as I unpacked the Tradere head yesterday. To be honest, it looks fine to me. I'll probably play around with it a bit and see how it looks with my BRW Improved handle and maybe a EJ DE89L handle, but I like it fine the way it is.

[mattface]

Oooh! that's a sweet looking head! I especially like it with the BRW handle.

[jamesspo]

I would definitely be inclined to polish it to match. I agree, matching looks better in general. That said, when I grab one of these, I'll probably be using the head with my iKon Bulldog handle, which should match well ;) . I like short, heavy handles.

Edit: Ah, you have pic of it with the iKon. Sweeeet!

[bluesbishop]

I have to agree with Turtle... it looks like a mismatch to me..... My favs are the Ikon and BRW handles..... If it fits... The weber handle would look awesome too....

For me there is something just "classic" about the look and design of the Bull Dog style handles.... Matched with that modern head it truly makes a gorgeous razor.

[Face&Head]

The mismatch does not bother me but I must admit that the iKon Bulldog handle (I don't own one) looks fantastic.

[Snargle]

I'll have to try matching it up with this handle when I get home. It's a 3 1/2" BRW Improved handle. Normally it's matched with a LC NEW head but I think it's going to work and look great with the Tradere head.

[Azarius]

Thanks Turtle for posting the pics. I love that head on both the iKon and BRW handle. I am very interested in the head, but not so much in the handle, I just do not like the look of it.

Does anyone know if the head only will be available? I see the handle or complete razor for sale, but not just the head.

[Vickers]

I'll have to try matching it up with this handle when I get home. It's a 3 1/2" BRW Improved handle. Normally it's matched with a LC NEW head but I think it's going to work and look great with the Tradere head.

Wow, I totally dig the way that handle matches the comb. Nice!

[huck1680]

It doesn't bother me, however polishing is one way to fix the (perceived problem) I didn't like the handle with other heads (ie. Stahly etc) so I'm really looking forward to getting the head that is supposed to go with this handle

[turtle]

Thanks Turtle for posting the pics.

Does anyone know if the head only will be available? I see the handle or complete razor for sale, but not just the head.

My understanding, from what I can recall from the discussions when the razor was being produced, was that a limited number of heads would be available but after they were gone only complete razors would be sold (someone correct me if I am not remembering this correctly).

If you want just the head I would strongly advise you to contact Richard as soon as possible to make sure you get just the head. He shipped just heads with cases to purchasers of his handle before the head was ready. The heads came in a plastic lock down case. In the last conversation I had with Richard he was rethinking the case so you may be able to get just the head without the case or make sure you get a razor case before he decides on a different packaging method. Personally I think the case is Da Bomb. I wish the foam insert was custom cut out for the razor instead of a solid sheet. I have always butchered every solid foam insert I have tried to cut so mine must remain solid I am afraid.

[kingfisher]

I scrolled through your pictures, Turtle, and I think it looks best with the iKon bulldog handle. It will be interesting to see which handle is shaves best with, or if they're all pretty much the same.

[Rob72]

Its a non-issue for me. Were it to be a "problem", I would tightly wrap electrical tape over the knurling, and use a dremel with Med-UF grit rubber wheels, finishing off with a felt bob, and red compound. Maybe 30 minutes to do it cleanly. Given the relative availability and cost of moto-tools and UF AlOx in a blast cabinet, I'm glad they come 2-tone.

[Manning]

I've got to admit, the reason I have not purchased the Tradere is the handle. I love the look of the head and I'm sure that I would enjoy the shave, but I'm not a huge fan of long handles and I prefer bulldog style handles.

My thoughts about my preference were confirmed in the photo of the Tradere with the iKon handle. I prefer the build of the bulldog and the high polish of the iKon with the Tradere head.

[Haiku]

Funny, the pictures that I've seen all seem to show the head as having the same satin finish as the handle. I had thought that the head would look just like the handle. I guess the pictures posted are not as descriptive as I thought. The picture that Turtle posted above is a great example of how the handle and head look the same in pictures people post.

I really like the look of a matching satin finish head and handle. I'm on the list for a Tradere and looking forward to seeing what it looks like in person.

I suppose that if I don't like the look of the shiny head I could get some fine steel wool and get to work turning it into a satin finish. I'm way more likely to do that then to try to achieve a shine the handle.

[natchez]

Thanks for all the input. Here is a close up photo of a head and handle. The satin finish on the handle was chosen for a few reasons: it shows less fingerprints, scratches and marks, provides a slightly better grip, and saved some in the production cost. Of course, aesthetically YMMV.

[Haiku]

Thanks for all the input. Here is a close up photo of a head and handle. The satin finish on the handle was chosen for a few reasons: it shows less fingerprints, scratches and marks, provides a slightly better grip, and saved some in the production cost. Of course, aesthetically YMMV.

Richard it really is a beautiful creation, and I'm looking forward to getting your invoice, but I can tell you that there is no question in my mind: a satin finish on the head is better, IMHO of course.

[Lar]

My handle is mirror-finish on the bottom quickly fading as it rounds up from the bottom. I haven't received the head yet but it evidently matches the finish on the bottom of the handle. Can't wait to see it.

[chuckman]

Very interesting thread. Me I like it polished......let us know what you decide and please take pics if you polish the handle out.