My "Ah-Ha!" Moments

[gpjoe]

I don’t mind James’ waiting list. I’ve read it has stretched out to 5 months now. I love my WR2 0.95 in basic polish bronze and the extra handles I’ve purchased.

I was going to buy two more hollow bronze handles and stands, but with the current prices, it seemed a bit excessive. I ended up just getting 2 more Ti Crown handles with bronze stands and settled for the mixed metal look. No waiting time and a whole lot less expensive.

That's the razor I would get, but in basic polish stainless steel, with a solid handle. My understanding is that was the original design spec...and I'm not even sure what the price is in USD

 

[Balin]

I was on the fence, but the increase and no response knocked me off.

Totally understandable. I might get just a head, because I do have a few spare handles I can use. I am still on the fence but the longer I wait the less likely I am too pull the trigger.

 

[thombrogan]

Strange that I never hear that voice when I buy another pistol.

Making the world a better place with a pistol. There’s the saying “beware the man with one gun…” and you’re being more congenial than that d00d.

The Karve price hike and extra nickel and diming of the options annoyed me (already got mine before that), so I don’t recommend the Overlander anymore even though it’s a great razor.

I won't be buying a Sprecher OR a Wolfman... at least not anytime soon.

That money is for razors made in Austria, Japan, Latvia, and the USA.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

That money is for razors made in Austria, Japan, Latvia, and the USA.

True enough, but Wolfman money will get me two Latvian razors, two to four Japanese (not including Iwasakis of course) and one or two Austrian, depending on how fancy they are. His fanciest ones are definitely in that price bracket though.

I've never spent over $300 on a single razor though, including shipping. I get a little sweaty around $200 frankly.

 

[Guido75]

I support your decision Gary @gpjoe. I think I will stick with my clone WR2. I had the opportunity once to get a very good price on a WR2 with stand. Amazing razor. I just can’t justify the investment (I have to add 30% for taxes and duties). At least not for a full razor. And to find out it shaves the same as razors I already have - I would be gutted.

But I totally get those who own Wolfman razors. I still think in terms of design these are some of the most beautiful, razors ever made. Maybe I should have taken the offer on that WR2 in hindsight. Well, that ship sailed and I immensely enjoy what I have.

Cheers,

Guido

 

[gpjoe]

I support your decision Gary @gpjoe. I think I will stick with my clone WR2. I had the opportunity once to get a very good price on a WR2 with stand. Amazing razor. I just can’t justify the investment (I have to add 30% for taxes and duties). At least not for a full razor. And to find out it shaves the same as razors I already have - I would be gutted.

But I totally get those who own Wolfman razors. I still think in terms of design these are some of the most beautiful, razors ever made. Maybe I should have taken the offer on that WR2 in hindsight. Well, that ship sailed and I immensely enjoy what I have.

Cheers,

Guido

Thank you.

There is no denying the craftsmanship of the razors.

...and (once again) for the record:

None of my comments are intended as judgement of others who own and enjoy their Wolfman, or any other "top tier" razor.

I have always maintained a posture of "you do you" and have fun doing it.

 

[gpjoe]

So, this is an Ah-Ha! moment...

If you've read my re-plating exploits, you know that I've struggled with getting coverage in the knurling of razor handles. I've varied my prep, cleaning, voltage, amperage,...etc, and failed.

So, I purchased a bottle of nickel plating solution, with some "magical" additives, including brighteners to see if my results would improved.

Tonight, a had a Pre-War Tech that I want to PIF. The cap and base plate polished up nicely on my buffing wheel.

Warning: sidebar ahead!

I've decided that I am no longer going to molest vintage razors that aren't perfect, and will merely clean and buff...unless there is serious peeling, brassing, pitting, or corrosion. Minor scratches and such will be ignored.

Ok, back to my rambling...

Of course, the handle on this razor looked terrible (no pic, damn it). Up near the ferrule the plating was gone and the brass was black. The knurling and grooves of the handle were a dull battleship gray...and no amount of buffing (and some hand polishing) would fix or remove the blemishes.

At this point I used a couple of small fibrous dremel wheels, chucked into my buffing wheel, to remove the corrosion...of course, this exposed my nemesis: brass knurling.

Well, here goes...cleaned the handle with Dawn, dried, and plated at 5v and 1.5a. When I removed the handle from the (new) plating solution I was disappointed, as the results exhibited no improvement over my homemade nickel sulfate solution. #@$#!?& it.

What to do?

Read the directions on the bottle of course!

Temperature.

We keep our home at 66-68°F in the winter, so my solution(s) are at that temperature. The bottle clearly states 130-140°...

OK. I put a big pot of water on the stove and set the solution (in a 600ml beaker) in the pot on a wire rack. I monitored the temp, and when it hit 130° I immediately went to plating, this time on a magnetic stirring plate to agitate the solution. Same voltage and amperage, for about a minute and a half, and got this:

A raving success compared to my previous attempts. Full coverage, and no exposed brass.

Temperature! Ah-Ha!

Now, in order to prove my success isn't a fluke, I'm going to try my homemade solution next time to see the results. I'm hoping my "problem" has been temperature all along.

Anyway, gotta go give this razor away.

 

[gpjoe]

...and the razor...