I've got a vintage razor that gives great shave but has a reasonable amount of wear on the gold plating. I'm umming and ahhing about getting it replated. I'm slightly concerned that with a new (probably slightly thicker) plating on the head it might have a different feel or hold the blade slightly differently, and the whole point is that it's a razor I really like. Does anyone know if this can happen, or am I being foolish; is a replated razor exactly the same but shinier?
Can replating change the feel of a razor?
- Thread starter dancehallwraith
- Start date
I have a few re-plated razors that I use along side un-plated versions of the exact same razor. I can't tell any difference in how they shave. I have even loaded them both with Astra SPs and done tests to see if I could tell a difference. The re-plated ones are shinier and slicker, but they work the same.
I have this concern too and this is why I am somewhat suspicious about replating.
None whatsoever. My President shaved the same before & after.
I actually thought I felt a slight difference in my Senator, but just used it and I believe I was wrong initially.
Interesting question! I suppose the plating is only a couple of thousands of an inch thick, I'm not sure.
Hi,
Nope. I have two original razors for which I also have replated counterparts, and no difference between them. Just for grins, since I saw this thread last nite, I shaved one side with an original and the other side with the replated one this morning. Nope. No difference.
Stan
Nope. I have two original razors for which I also have replated counterparts, and no difference between them. Just for grins, since I saw this thread last nite, I shaved one side with an original and the other side with the replated one this morning. Nope. No difference.
Stan
Hi Guys,
It all depends upon a number of factors.
If the engine turning and detailing are already worn, then stripping the old plating and applying new plating will only provide a similar shiny but still worn razor (so the feel will be identical)
If the restorer/plater uses a buffing wheel to remove the old plating on an otherwise unworn razor, this invariably removes engine turning and detailing - so the feel will not be the same as original.
If a chemical process is used to remove the old plating, this should cause no damage to the underlying detailing and once replated, the razor will be identical to a new old stock example in look and feel.
In my view, some platers over-polish, this gives a very shiny piece but not as original - detailing is lost and can never be replaced.
Lastly, over-application of plating material causes filling-in of engine turning and detailing - a few microns is all that was applied by Gillette originally.
So, if restored correctly and not too worn in the first place, a razor should look and feel as it did when new once work is completed.
Hope this helps
It all depends upon a number of factors.
If the engine turning and detailing are already worn, then stripping the old plating and applying new plating will only provide a similar shiny but still worn razor (so the feel will be identical)
If the restorer/plater uses a buffing wheel to remove the old plating on an otherwise unworn razor, this invariably removes engine turning and detailing - so the feel will not be the same as original.
If a chemical process is used to remove the old plating, this should cause no damage to the underlying detailing and once replated, the razor will be identical to a new old stock example in look and feel.
In my view, some platers over-polish, this gives a very shiny piece but not as original - detailing is lost and can never be replaced.
Lastly, over-application of plating material causes filling-in of engine turning and detailing - a few microns is all that was applied by Gillette originally.
So, if restored correctly and not too worn in the first place, a razor should look and feel as it did when new once work is completed.
Hope this helps
- Thread starter
- #9
Interesting. Thanks guys. Sounds like its worth talking to the replater before going ahead. Or seeing if I can pick up a second razor of the same type to get it replated (I like the opposing sides of the face experiment!).
I have both plated & original FatBoys. If I close my eyes, I can't tell the difference
As ontoman said, the only possible way you could tell a difference is if they removed too much metal from the razor when stripping it, and even then, it has to be quite a bit.
Generally this issue only rears it's head when metal is pitted, etc. and additional metal work is required.
The plating itself is thousands of an inch in thickness - not even a nary detectable to the face.
Generally this issue only rears it's head when metal is pitted, etc. and additional metal work is required.
The plating itself is thousands of an inch in thickness - not even a nary detectable to the face.
- Thread starter
- #12
Ok, that sounds good. The original plating is really thin, so I assume a new coat will be slightly thicker. Nothing wrong with the underlying metal though, so it looks like I'd be fine.
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