My wife asked me the other day how one of these razor revamps could make a razor "better than new." I think that personal attention applied to a mass-produced razor from an artisan like Chris (or Matt Pisarcik's crew at Razor Emporium) can always make that razor shine and work better than it did from the factory. Heck, even my own personal attention to the razors I've bought has made them better (usually). Sometimes, I don't know what I'm doing and I make things worse. Stalking Chris's YouTube videos has been incredibly helpful and fascinating too.
The BRGAS (Back Roads Gold Appreciation Society)
- Thread starter Cal
- Start date
Well, I received the invoice from Chris, which I instantly paid. He sent the following pics of my completed razor.
The razor looks stunning! Look at the finish on those doors!!!! I cannot wait to get this puppy back.
I've already sent Chris an e-mail with a link to this thread. Who knows, maybe he'll make a cameo appearance. He needs to know how much this community appreciates his craftsmanship.
The razor looks stunning! Look at the finish on those doors!!!! I cannot wait to get this puppy back.
I've already sent Chris an e-mail with a link to this thread. Who knows, maybe he'll make a cameo appearance. He needs to know how much this community appreciates his craftsmanship.
I say do what makes you happy.
I think of watch collecting. Some serious collectors consider anything that is restored, even polished, to have been molested. Many want the dial to show patina, and have no problem with hands losing their luminous material, or turning brown. To them it is part of the charm.
Good for them, but I also appreciate a nicely restored razor, watch, or muscle car. It's fun too.
A buddy of mine restores muscle cars, mostly 70s Mopar. His cars have been spotlighted in magazines, and been on the covers of some. He's had cars in the running as finalists at Autorama in Detroit.
He doesn't paint, but has spent $40k or more on paint jobs for these cars, and the paint is a far cry from original. The originals have visible orange peel, while the restorations are mirror smooth. Stunning really.
Likewise, these restored razors are much nicer than new. The plating is a true plating rather than a thin wash, and brilliantly polished. Of course we can't forget that the originals cost under two bucks.
- Thread starter
- #25
Little kids get excited all the time. I don't think they're silly at all (or you for that matter).Of course, having a mental age of three, I could be biased.
I've had a very nice e-mail exchange with Chris. He has seen this thread and feels our love for what he does. He says that the high quality finish that the Brits applied to their versions of the Gillette razors inspired him to learn how to do the same. Shout out to @Alum Ladd! I deeply appreciate the care he devotes to our razors.
Now I need to find a way to get a case for this beautiful Fatboy! I've only been a forum member for 40 days, so I don't yet have privileges to post a WTB thread in the BST--Doh! I can wait a few days 
Once upon a time, watches required service every couple of years. I collect mainly Railroad Grade watches, which, when in RR service were meticulously maintained. To be properly refurbished, some watches require a complete teardown to clean out old gummed oil & debris. It's not unusual for me to spend up to 12 hours cleaning & reassembling a watch. It was a necessary part of owning a quality watch back then.
Once cleaned and tuned up, there's nothing more beautiful than a quality pocket watch movement.
Last edited:
Chris recently replated my Fatboy and Aristocrat. I will enjoy them for the rest of my time here on this planet. I may have him replate my New LC in the future. On the other hand, I would never replate my birth year/quarter Slim. I want it to remain like it is. I would also not replate my 40's style Superspeed as it doesn't really need it.
That's very interesting, that you prefer your birth-year razor to show its age.
I'd have to admit that my '57s have probably aged a bit better than me.
- Thread starter
- #31
No pics MichWR?
My 1961 G2 Fat Boy is here! It does not disappoint. Check it out.
What a craftsman. Worth every penny.
What a craftsman. Worth every penny.
- Thread starter
- #34
BRGAS SOTD
Brush: Shavemac 20/46 Silvertip 2-Band
Soap: Canada
Razor: Gillette Flat Bottom Tech GT
Blade: King C. Gillette (13)
ASL: Clubman VIBR
A superb shave.
My BRG treated FB Tech head and @Rosseforp GT handle make up the best SB DE razor that I possess.
Happy shaves guys.
Brush: Shavemac 20/46 Silvertip 2-Band
Soap: Canada
Razor: Gillette Flat Bottom Tech GT
Blade: King C. Gillette (13)
ASL: Clubman VIBR
A superb shave.
My BRG treated FB Tech head and @Rosseforp GT handle make up the best SB DE razor that I possess.
Happy shaves guys.
Just dropped off a box of stuff for Chris at Backroads Gold:
Old Type Cap & Bottom plate, plus a ball end handle in 3 pcs for nickel
A Ball End Handle for Gold to replace the replica handle on my Goodwill
A Common Bar Handle for Gold
An Old Type Cap for nickel
USPS says delivery by this Friday & turnaround is around 10 days.
Does anyone have a preference for his work from Chloride, AZ or Frannie, WY? They both look excellent to me ....
Old Type Cap & Bottom plate, plus a ball end handle in 3 pcs for nickel
A Ball End Handle for Gold to replace the replica handle on my Goodwill
A Common Bar Handle for Gold
An Old Type Cap for nickel
USPS says delivery by this Friday & turnaround is around 10 days.
Does anyone have a preference for his work from Chloride, AZ or Frannie, WY? They both look excellent to me ....
'Bulldog G'
- Some time ago I bought this 'Bulldog' as a part of a lot
- It had every "problem" possible, but I couldn't see any cracks, so I thought let's try save this historic piece
- Scratches, no plating, skewed head and bent teeth. I thought Chris at 'BRG' could use a challenge
- I think the result speaks for itself and then there were two
Beautiful Bulldog! I love that barber pole pattern handle!
I want to replate my fatboy, among others, but can't decide what metal plating to go with? I like them all.
Gold is gold, but the silver color options include Palladium and Nickel. The Factory Nickel finish will look like a brand new unused razor. IMO he mirror nickel is a little too ahiney. Palladium is a harder metal, but I've read that it can crack.
Best to e-mail [email protected] and ask for his expert advice.
Similar threads
- Locked
- Article
