Cleaning suggestions for 1941 Gillette Ranger Tech

[rinsedry]

I found this safety razor while digging around in the back of a tool drawer. I'm pretty sure it was used regularly by my grandfather for many years. I did a little research, found out what it was, and decided to clean it up a bit.

I soaked the razor in hot water, as well as Scrubbing Bubbles, and scrubbed it with an old toothbrush. I also used a bit of MAAS.

Here's what it looks like now (it started out black):

 

[rinsedry]

It looks like most of the nickel plating is long gone, and there's quite a bit of pitting.

Here's another shot for color comparison (with a gold-plated pen and aluminum knife):

 

[mblakele]

Welcome to B&B!

Nice find! Take a look at http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Razor_cleaning_and_restoration and http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Safety_razor_maintenance

Edit: looks like you already have that info. This might be a candidate for replating.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Welcome to B&B and congrats on the find! Have you given it a try yet?

Too bad about the pitting. If you look around, there are a few discussions about replating razors. Perhaps that's something that would interest you. Or you could just keep it as a display piece and find another razor (or two or three or four ) to shave with.

 

[rinsedry]

I haven't tried shaving with it yet. Actually, I haven't tried shaving with any safety razor. I may pick up some blades and shaving cream and give it a shot.

I've been trying the polish the top (doors?) to get a consistent brass color, but most of the surface has an orange-y copper color that isn't going away. Do I need to just keep polishing, or is it a wasted effort?

I probably won't bother replating. Once I get it cleaned up some more, I'll probably just find a clean, dry place to store it.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[luvmysuper]

I haven't tried shaving with it yet. Actually, I haven't tried shaving with any safety razor. I may pick up some blades and shaving cream and give it a shot.

I've been trying the polish the top (doors?) to get a consistent brass color, but most of the surface has an orange-y copper color that isn't going away. Do I need to just keep polishing, or is it a wasted effort?

I probably won't bother replating. Once I get it cleaned up some more, I'll probably just find a clean, dry place to store it.

Thanks for the replies.

Yep, you can polish till the cows come home and that color ain't going away, cause that's the what it is made of.

It's still a nice razor, and is useable as an ugly duckling, or as others have said, a replating might do wonders for it.
Either way, you have a great piece there!

 

[rinsedry]

Yep, you can polish till the cows come home and that color ain't going away, cause that's the what it is made of.

I know that it's mostly a brass at this point. What I mean is that a few parts of the razor have the typical brass instrument color. But much of the rest looks like copper. It's not nearly as obvious in the photos as it is in person.

It's like the difference between the brass die and the copper in this Wikipedia photo.

I'm guessing that the copper color is from corrosion.

 

[Oldguy]

Welcome to B&B. If I were in your position this is what I would do.

The razor has lost all it's plating and is down to it's base brass metal. More cleaning and more polishing probably won't make it look any better. There is really too much pitting.

I also would not get it plated. I would use it once so you can say you shaved with your grandfather's razor. But use a good blade and since it will be your first shave use almost no pressure and take very short strokes. But get good blades. There are some poor blades out there that will ruin a nice shave.

Then retire the razor as a memento of your grandfather. Then get a nice razor to experience the way your grandfather shaved. If you can find a Ranger Tech then great. Otherwise look for a 40's style Super Speed and go on from there.

Len

 

[luvmysuper]

I know that it's mostly a brass at this point. What I mean is that a few parts of the razor have the typical brass instrument color. But much of the rest looks like copper. It's not nearly as obvious in the photos as it is in person.

It's like the difference between the brass die and the copper in this Wikipedia photo.

I'm guessing that the copper color is from corrosion.

I believe that you are correct. There's so much pitting from corrosion there, you may be seeing the copper but you're not going to get anywhere by further polishing.

Good luck, some great suggestions up there!

 

[Darjeeling Express]

1. Drench in dishwashing liquid soap.
2. Pour boiling water into heat resistant bowl.
3. Plunk razor into bowl with the boiling water.
4. Soak for 15-20 minutes.
5. Remove razor and spray liberally with scrubbing bubbles and let sit for 10 minutes.
6. Scrub razor with toothbrush.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6.
8. Its going to look like new. Most of that rust will be gone!