Over the weekend, I won an auction for a Gillette President that the seller said was "silver". I thought all Gillette Presidents were Rhodium. Am I correct in assuming this razor was mislabeled as "silver"? I'm curious. Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
1953 "silver" Gillette President.
- Thread starter Morman Bridge
- Start date
You're correct. As far as I know all of the 1953 Presidents were rhodium. The seller was probably just describing it as "silver" in tone, rather than "gold" or something else.... and didn't really know what it was actually plated with. Great score by the way. My Y2 President is my favorite DE shaver.
Ben
Ben
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks Ben, I think the one I won will be a user grade razor as the photo shows some discoloration to the silo doors and a missing end cap. It is beyond me why someone didn't take better care of such a beautiful razor. But thier loss is my gain. I can't hardly wait to shave with it. I hope it arrives soon.
Hi MB and I'm glad you won that. I saw the description also. Just another incorrect description. Like the"bonified" Aristocrat with the black handle and Tech head. Enjoy!
I was watching that auction.....good score! I agree the Gillette President is a great razor. You can replace the end cap and even have it re-plated later if you learn to love it.
Silver tarnishes. There is debate over whether the entire razor or just the handle is rhodium plated.
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks everyone. After I do my standard toothbrush and dish detergent scrub, I'll try some silver polish too.
i believe the president has a rhodium handle and nickel head, i hopefully have another one of these great razors on the way, this one has both end caps missing and what looks like some kind of paint on the handle, at least i hope its paint, it sure does not look like brassing, i do know that some of the presidents handles discolour a kind of brown shade when the plating is worn, i will just need to see how it turns out when it arrives.
i would go easy on the silver polish, or even give it a miss, the plating on these handles are delicate, a light polish with mass might be better, if the toothbrush and dish detergent do ok that might be enough.
I would not brush the handle with a tooth brush. If some of the plating on the handle is compromised the bristles could "lift" it. This happened to me.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanks guys, have you any suggestions as to how I should approach cleaning the handle? And the silo doors?
Yes, I forgot that the head is nickel plated. I believe it's a "double nickel" plating that is more brilliant and shinier than a standard Gillette nickel plated head of that era. Good point tacchini.
Ben
got the president in the post today, the plating on the handle is just about gone, its a kind of copper colour rather than brass, it must have a copper coating underneath the rhodium, the nickel head on it is in pretty good shape, the rhodium plating on these razors seems very delicate compared to the british aristocrats, i will put some pics up of it later.
