Brass, Copper, Gold ???

[Coyote711]

I have seen some razors on the bay, that to this untrained newbies eye, look like a "Common Bar Handle NEW". Various sellers have these listed as Brass or Copper. Did they make them in brass or copper, or do these sellers just not know their stuff? What piqued my curiosity was a thread here by "Cmaster03" showing his beautifully re-plated Common Bar Handle NEW. (Of course the ones on the bay are nothing like that)!

Related question: IF I should happen to pick up one of these, and IF they are in fact gold plated, how much does it cost to re-plate a razor?

Thanks for any info or advice on the above questions!

 

[BBrad]

Those razors were made of a combination of materials and sub-platings under a very thin "gold wash."

There is copper under the gold on the cap and some handles. The guard plate (I believe) is brass.
Wear and over-polishing on these razors makes for an interesting mix of colors. Add the eBay seasoning to the mix and you will find listings for "Rare 3-Color Gillette" and "Coppertop Gillette Razor." The exposed brass and copper is ugly to some, beautiful to others, and is a classic case of YMMV.

The neat thing about the New is the fact that it shaves wonderfully regardless of the plating condition.

I, too have a favorite (but ugly) New that I am planning on having re-plated someday . . . when my rich uncle gets out of the poorhouse!

 

[Coyote711]

The neat thing about the New is the fact that it shaves wonderfully regardless of the plating condition.

Thanks so much for all the info, Brad! Right now I'm mostly interested in getting one to use, so I think I'll pull the trigger. I've wanted to try a Gillette with a thinner head than the TTO's, and also try an open comb razor, so it looks like this would satisfy both of these wants!

 

[Greyfox]

You won't regret purchasing a NEW.

 

[billc508]

Copper is a constituent element of the brass, solid copper by itself can be pretty soft. Most of those gillette bar handle razors are I think brass with a thin industrial grade gold plate. i have had several razors replated with gold at a professional plating facility near where I live and they run about $25 to $35. They do a chemical clean and buffing job on them, replate, and put a clear lacquer over the gold plating to protect from wear. For something you plan to keep and use over time, they will come out really nice and bright and worth it for the use you can get out of them. good luck, bc

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Mine cost $35, done by buddydog, and I couldn't be happier.

 

[amishmotorboat]

Yes to all 3. as stated above, the gold plating was thin and comes off easily, exposing either copper or brass.

 

[shamus]

Nice job on those razors.

Cheers

 

[Aristeros]

Isn't there an online electroplating service that some folks here used? Thinking of getting a Slim done in rhodium and wondering if that would be comparable.