Head wear

[filedog]

No, this isn't about hats I picked up 3 decent vintage Gillettes, (Tech, early SS and flare-tip), and they all have some wear on the top, the part that contacts one's face. What IS the correct term for this? Anyway, after polishing, it was evident there was wear to this area, ranging from very minor scuffing on the newest (Tech), to some heavier scuffing, and wear to the top of the center bar (Flare-tip), to more wear, and some slight finish loss on the early SS (small spots of brass showing thru, in an area parallel to the center bar. This may be obvious, but this is all from beard contact? I read stubble is roughly as hard as copper wire, so I guess it is. Is this the most common area to wear? I have seen pics of a good bit of brassing on handles, I guess this is partly from oils in our skin?
I'm curious, does this affect performance? Or is it just a personal thing, like "I really like this one, who cares about the wear". What do most of you consider acceptable? Will you continue to try and find a better example of a favorite model? I guess price often becomes a factor, I know with vintage watches, some guys will pay big bucks for NOS, that was never my interest though. I've always been content with "users", functionally 99%, with slight imperfections. What are your thoughts?

 

[Oldguy]

Yes. The cap is the most common place to wear. And it does not affect the razor's shaving ability. Good luck with your new finds.

Len

 

[Stubblefield]

I'm curious, does this affect performance? Or is it just a personal thing, like "I really like this one, who cares about the wear". What do most of you consider acceptable? Will you continue to try and find a better example of a favorite model? I guess price often becomes a factor, I know with vintage watches, some guys will pay big bucks for NOS, that was never my interest though. I've always been content with "users", functionally 99%, with slight imperfections. What are your thoughts?

Really, it's a personal thing. The wear will not affect performance one bit. Sometimes I like my objects to be bright and shiny and new, but I get great shaves from my user-grade razors as well. User grade razors can be had fairly cheaply; conversely you will often pay top dollar for a mint razor. I'm not sure they are worth it, unless you are a collector.