English Red Tip SS. Replate?

[Godawgs]

New to wet shaving. Recently cleaned out almost all DE razors in a second hand shop. Among them was a English Red Tip SS (plus English Blue Tip and two Aristocrat Juniors).

Not expert but think the Red Tip is in poor condition. Pitting on doors and oxidizing on handle. TTO is fine. Still working out if I like aggressive razors (and if it is my technique or blade choice).

I believe they are a hard to find razor. Is it sacrilege to get replated? Gather would require repainting the tip. Not family heirloom or any thing like that.

Thoughts?

Cheers Olly

 

[tonich]

Better contact Chris at Razorplate.com and discuss it over.

 

[fast shaver]

I say replate that crusty razor ASAP.!

 

[troy]

I would just polish and use it as is if it were mine, but yeah it looks like a good candidate for a replate if that's what you want to do.

 

[romsitsa]

Hard to say right now, polish it up a bit. The doors are pitted, they should be swapped for new ones, as plating won’t fill in voids. If the safety bar is also pitted, it will remain pitted after plating.

It’s not that bad, it looks mechanically sound.

Adam

 

[bdehne]

Better contact Chris at Razorplate.com and discuss it over.

+1 I think it is worthy of a replate rescue.

 

[ajkel64]

I would clean it up first, have a shave with it and see what you think. If you like it then consider a re-plate. Sounds like you found a nice little honey hole.

 

[Godawgs]

Thanks guys. Will give it a try before racing out and replating. Still working out if I am a aggressive razor person or not. Possibly testing too many razors at the same time and should stick to one pin down a preferred blade and work on technique.

 

[Godawgs]

Sounds like you found a nice little honey hole.

Also got a Silm and an English ball end tech. My collection went from 2 to 9 very quickly. Not many vintage Gillette razors around in this part of the world. When you find them they are usually made in England. Cheers Olly

 

[troy]

A lot of people seem to call a Red Tip aggressive. I've never tried the English version, but use a US quite a bit. I would say they're fairly mild, moderate at most. Your Slim at the high end should be a fair bit more aggressive than the Red Tip. Give it a go I think you'll like it!

 

[Tester28]

The US Red Tip Superspeed has a gap of 0.66mm...the UK one has a gap of 0.81mm

UK RT SS also a bit heavier at 66gm....so greater efficiency and heft.

The balance is perfect. This isn't an aggressive razor like Muhle 41 etc.

Gillette describes it as a heavy razor for men with tough beards.

It is highly efficient but also very smooth and comfortable with great
and loud audio feedback. Easily used as a daily razor.

I had mine up for sale recently but withdrew it as Im seriously considering
it as a travel razor.

 

[BigJ]

I am with the ‘clean it up’ camp. Give it a few shaves, then decide if you like it before going for a replace.

 

[Jim99]

I am with the ‘clean it up’ camp. Give it a few shaves, then decide if you like it before going for a replace.

I’ll second that approach.

 

[dmshaver]

Yes, clean it up & use it. As you stated earlier, you think you're using too many razors & not getting to know any of them. Stick with one razor & one brand of blade & use it for a while. Work on your technique. Then you can start learning which razor/s you like, & why. Enjoy sir, great score!

 

[Tester28]

Hey godawgs, how much does it cost to replate?
Any idea?

 

[Godawgs]

Hey godawgs, how much does it cost to replate?
Any idea?

The place I am looking at is $80NZD ($52USD) for bright nickel and up for other coatings. Plus shipping.

Vintage Safety Razor Replating - Nickel, Chrome, Silver, ...

I am quite intrigued about the process and if can be done, so less focused on the sums (ie good investment).

Going to try for a while then make the call.

The main purpose of my question was to gauge if I had something rare and collectors would cringe at the idea of replating.

Cheers Olly

 

[Tester28]

Thanks....This guys work looks great....I think I remember him...used to be based in the UK and then moved
to NZ.

 

[Godawgs]

Tried the red tip and enjoyed so got replated. Just arrived today. Looks amazing.
Many thanks to Dave at Vintage straight razors for sale and razor restoration from ... based in Auckland, New Zealand. Before photos further up this conversation. Cheers Olly

 

[It's Hedley]

Tried the red tip and enjoyed so got replated. Just arrived today. Looks amazing.
Many thanks to Dave at Vintage straight razors for sale and razor restoration from ... based in Auckland, New Zealand. Before photos further up this conversation. Cheers Olly

That looks fantastic! Great job and congrats on the “new” red tip.

 

[Iloverootbeer]

Tried the red tip and enjoyed so got replated. Just arrived today. Looks amazing.
Many thanks to Dave at Vintage straight razors for sale and razor restoration from ... based in Auckland, New Zealand. Before photos further up this conversation. Cheers Olly

Looks great! The Red Tip is a great shaver!