Wow....... ok.. so would you feel using this logic zamak would be a better option?When brass (a copper/zinc alloy) is in contact with stainless steel (a steel alloy containing chromium) the chromium (cathode) reacts electrolytically (electrolysis) with the zinc (the anode) and converts the brass into "pouress" copper with almost no strength. This is exasperated in the presence of an electrolyte such as water.
One way around this little problem is to only use plain steel blades.
Oh boy, you are opening up a real can of worms here.I was wondering what the take is on this. Most inexpensive razor have brass plated handles or stainless handles, with Zamak heads. Does the head being brass offer any benefit, or is the zamak head a real non issue.
an electrolyte such as water.
Good information. I did not know the old techs were zamak. Very interesting. I have both the sloc and the piccolo and my experience is probably opposite. But that could be the handle of the piccolo as I have bigger hands and it could be a pressure issue. Love the sloc!Oh boy, you are opening up a real can of worms here.
I will attempt to explain in layman's terms. My background is machining/welding, and I read material certification reports as part of my job. I will try and leave the technical terms out.
Brass is more resistant to corrosion than Zamak, that is a fact.
Zamac must be plated, as once any corrosion starts, that is the beginning of the end. The corosion cannot be stopped.
Brass will develop a patina that will prevent corrosion, so plating is not necessary.
There are a great many inexpensive razors made from Zamak that are decades old. A Gillette Tech from the 1960's is a perfect example of a vintage razor with a cap made from Zamak.
Another benefit of Brass is the ability to withstand a fall without irreparable damage. Zamak breaks much easier.
A great example of an all Brass razor compared to a Zamak razor would be the Fatip Piccolo which is all Brass, and a Razorock SLOC which is Zamak and both razors cost around $20.00
I have both, and my experience is the Piccolo shaves smoother than the SLOC. Is it because one is Brass, and the other is Zamak, I cannot say.
True, pure water is not an electrolyte, however tap water when mixed with some of the ingredients in shaving soap, that's another story.It's what plants crave.
Water is not an electrolyte.
The earlier model Gillette Techs were all-brass. The later ones have a mix of materials such as brass, aluminum, zamak and plastic. Zamak was used for the cap only. You can tell by the shape; it is thicker and more rounded.Good information. I did not know the old techs were zamak. Very interesting...
So we shouldn't be using SS heads with brass handles and vice versa ?When brass (a copper/zinc alloy) is in contact with stainless steel (a steel alloy containing chromium) the chromium (cathode) reacts electrolytically (electrolysis) with the zinc (the anode) and converts the brass into "pouress" copper with almost no strength. This is exasperated in the presence of an electrolyte such as water.
One way around this little problem is to only use plain steel blades.
Yes. You will find that the thread in the handle will deteriorate to porous copper over time.So we shouldn't be using SS heads with brass handles and vice versa ?
Aluminum and SS is no where near as incompatible as brass and SS, although they are still somewhat incompatible. If you must mix aluminum with another metal, monel metal is much better..... I have not noticed any electrolysis between the aluminum and the stainless steel, yet. ....
There are brass razors that are over a hundred years old & have stood the test of time.When brass (a copper/zinc alloy) is in contact with stainless steel (a steel alloy containing chromium) the chromium (cathode) reacts electrolytically (electrolysis) with the zinc (the anode) and converts the brass into "pouress" copper with almost no strength. This is exasperated in the presence of an electrolyte such as water.
One way around this little problem is to only use plain steel blades.
What about brass head with brass handle and stainless steel blade?Aluminum and SS is no where near as incompatible as brass and SS, although they are still somewhat incompatible. If you must mix aluminum with another metal, monel metal is much better.
It's fine. This is the way most vintage Gillettes are and look how long they have been around. Mine is early 1940s and still going strong, for example.What about brass head with brass handle and stainless steel blade?
I do have small hands, but all of my vintage Gillette razors have handles much the same size as the Piccolo. The Fatip Grande uses the same head but has a larger handle. The Schöne is made by Fatip and also has a larger handle. All can be purchased new for $22.00 or less.But that could be the handle of the piccolo as I have bigger hands and it could be a pressure issue. Love the sloc!
Aluminum will corrode unless anodized or plated.Aluminum and SS is no where near as incompatible as brass and SS, although they are still somewhat incompatible. If you must mix aluminum with another metal, monel metal is much better.
I do have small hands, but all of my vintage Gillette razors have handles much the same size as the Piccolo. The Fatip Grande uses the same head but has a larger handle. The Schöne is made by Fatip and also has a larger handle. All can be purchased new for $22.00 or less.
I have found my SLOC prefers a handle with some heft.
Aluminum will corrode unless anodized or plated.
There are many grades of Stainless Steel that are very compatible with Brass. A list can be found in the Machinist's Handbook.
Not all grades of Stainless Steel are corrosion resistant, some more than others.
The higher the Nickle content(there I go with tech speak) the higher the corrosion resistance. As the Nickle content goes up, so does the cost.
Monel is very high in Nickle content. While monel metal is a very corrosion resistant material, it is expensive and difficult to machine.
The most common use of Monel metal is the marine industry, such as propeller shafts on ships.
Consider that most Straight Razors are made from High Carbon Steel with very little corrosion resistance, and there are a great many still in use today that are 100 years old. It is all in how well you take care of your equipment, how long it lasts.
If you truly want a Stainless Steel razor that will last you a lifetime, Italian Barber has some very nice reasonably priced, all Stainless Steel razors made from 316 SS.
316 SS is commonly known as a high grade steel that is used in the marine and medical industry.
Yeah I'm looking at the retro, I think it's with a try.
It is also overkill for a razor, but this is a hobby. And I DO have a handle made from Monel metal!!!!!