Considering what could be an act of sacrilege with a Red Tip

[Ender78]

Hi all,
This is my Gillette 1957 C2 Red Tip. I tried all kinds of ways to take a pic that shows the heavy scratches or pitting on the handle I can't really tell which it is. I like the razor a lot. It shaves real nice. I do not know how but my fingers and thumb are getting rubbed raw from that part of the handle. There is yellowing on various parts of the head where the Rhodium was eaten away. I am thinking about replating it but not in Rhodium. I am thinking of getting it replated in two different configurations.... The first configuration is black chrome all over except for the knob which would be in rose gold. The Second configuration is black chrome all over except for the knob and the silo doors which would be in rose gold. Decisions decisions...

 

[Haegar]

It's not the last Red Tip in the world. I wouldn't call it sacrilege to alter a razor in conditions like this one because if you leave it like it is you certainly preserve its originality as much as possible, but will only achieve a considerable collector's value after a roughly estimated 150 years - if it does not get binned before. If you restore, replate and repaint it, you will not have what is considered as an original, although the reselling value moment would be higher than before restoration. If you decide on a different color scheme, depending on the outcome reselling value may or may not be less than that of a historically correct restored razor, but in any case you will have more fun as I'm inclined to read between the lines of your OP statements, which is why I think it is the way to go for you.
As a bonus tomorrow's historians will have some food for thought!

 

[Ender78]

I want to keep the razor so Re-sellability is not an issue. Mostly I want a badass looking razor.

 

[Badger Bill]

I'd say go for it. Either option sounds pretty sweet. If you want a "classic" style you can always pick up another fairly cheap.

- Badger Bill

 

[Haggises]

your pitting is probably still going to be pitting after a replate.......

 

[dpm802]

I'm not sure I understand how replating it will solve the issue you're having with abrasion on your fingers and thumb. If anything, it might make it worse.

Instead, you could cover that portion of the handle with heat-shrink tubing, or perhaps work the sharp edges down with some fine-grit sandpaper. Sure, it will not look pretty, but what problem are you trying to solve?

 

[Ender78]

okay I got some better pictures. Can you tell me if this is pitting? If so is it too =deep?

 

[kingfisher]

I don't understand how anyone could get abrasions from a razor, no matter how rough the plating. You should maintain a light grip on a razor.

 

[DrAwkward]

Do you like the razor? If so, I think you will like it even more after plating. I vote for option 1 (all black, but rose on the knob). Post the pics of the re-plated razor!

 

[Rothman]

Black chrome looks amazing...until you use it. The dark plating is a huge PITA to keep looking nice. If you want to clean the razor with a toothbrush after each use then it's up to you. I black chromed a LC NEW and it looks great until I use it. I kind of regret it to be honest. My $.02.

 

[Shutterbug57]

Black chrome looks amazing...until you use it. The dark plating is a huge PITA to keep looking nice. If you want to clean the razor with a toothbrush after each use then it's up to you. I black chromed a LC NEW and it looks great until I use it. I kind of regret it to be honest. My $.02.

Thanks for that info. I have been going back and forth between Black Chrome and Rhodium for a Senator. There are lots of nooks and crannies on the Senator. I guess I will go with Rhodium.

 

[Haegar]

I'm not sure I understand how replating it will solve the issue you're having with abrasion on your fingers and thumb.

To me it looks like this razor had shared its home with screwdrivers, files and rasps. I'm not a razor restorer, but I think I would take care of the mistreated handle by a judicious cleaning with a brass brush wheel on a dremel which of course would take off some plating, then send it for replating. Or maybe better talk to the replater who most probably will be able to handle this issue in a professional manner.

 

[Ender78]

Black chrome looks amazing...until you use it. The dark plating is a huge PITA to keep looking nice. If you want to clean the razor with a toothbrush after each use then it's up to you. I black chromed a LC NEW and it looks great until I use it. I kind of regret it to be honest. My $.02.

I clean the razors I use every Saturday. Just soapy water and a soft bristle tooth brush then a wipe down with a cloth.

 

[Ender78]

Thanks for that info. I have been going back and forth between Black Chrome and Rhodium for a Senator. There are lots of nooks and crannies on the Senator. I guess I will go with Rhodium.

I paid just 25.00 for this razor I dunno if I want to spend another 90.00 to replate it in Rhodium.