Is this brassing an issue for safe use?

[JAD1327]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and I'm honestly not super invested in wet shaving, but I do shave daily with my black handle gillette super speed. I decided to take a gamble on an ebay listing for a few more gillette razors just to try something different, and as a result I am now the proud owner of a pretty nice condition super adjustable. However, the other two razors, a red tip super speed and a 40s style super speed, both have some pretty heavy brassing on their bottom plates. I don't care much about what they look like since I plan on using them regardless, but I was wondering if this brassing looked normal or if there's possibly a little rust in there too I should be concerned about.

Here's the 40s style super speed:

There's mild brassing on the doors of both razors, but this spot in particular has some oxidation I hope I can remove with a bit of polish.

And now here's the red tip

This side of the bottom in particular had me a bit concerned. The darker patches seem to have the same texture as the surrounding area, but I do not know if this spot is simply darker as the plating is more worn through, or if it's because this part is contaminated with rust. I've already sprayed all the razors with scrubbing bubbles and dumped them in some barbicide and it seemed to have no effect on it.

Let me know what you all think. Thanks!

 

[EclipseRedRing]

They are fine, a soak in warm water and some bubbles, a gentle scrub with a soft toothbrush and they are ready to use.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Brassing is mainly cosmetic on these. Just have to clean and polish the razor more often to keep it in good shape. After use, rinse and hang the razor up to dry somewhere.

 

[JAD1327]

Brassing is mainly cosmetic on these. Just have to clean and polish the razor more often to keep it in good shape. After use, rinse and hang the razor up to dry somewhere.

Would you recommend polishing these even if it possibly takes off more of the finish? I'm fine with that if that's what's best for them but if it's generally best to leave the existing finish alone I'll do that and just tough up the oxidized parts on the door.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Would you recommend polishing these even if it possibly takes off more of the finish? I'm fine with that if that's what's best for them but if it's generally best to leave the existing finish alone I'll do that and just tough up the oxidized parts on the door.

Maybe I should not have said polishing. Just clean with dish soap, toothbrush, microfiber cloth, etc. You just want to get everything cleaned up. Brass will tarnish, but should not corrode in normal household conditions.

 

[fengcs]

The cleaning of TTO shaver is not as good as three-piece. I suggest keeping it as it is, not polishing, only cleaning.

 

[abies]

I agree with others all you have to do is clean it. It sounds like you've already done that well. If you want to though, polishing with a good jewelry and silver polish will work; I've done it with lots of vintage Gillettes. I've used cotton swabs, rags, and paper towels, and it turns out well. It will be cosmetic though. It's one of the good things about these razors, they're pretty resilient.

 

[Quaznoid]

They look fine to me.

 

[musicman1951]

I'm not an old razor guy, but I play the trumpet. Brass doesn't rust. Brass is usually finished with lacquer to keep the air from ruining the shine.

If you've got a coating of brass over another metal that's something else to consider.

 

[abies]

I'm not an old razor guy, but I play the trumpet. Brass doesn't rust. Brass is usually finished with lacquer to keep the air from ruining the shine.

If you've got a coating of brass over another metal that's something else to consider.

Gillettes tend to be nickel or gold-plated brass (where they aren't plastic or aluminum).

 

[Hercule]

I'm not an old razor guy, but I play the trumpet. Brass doesn't rust. Brass is usually finished with lacquer to keep the air from ruining the shine.

If you've got a coating of brass over another metal that's something else to consider.

I as well was a trumpet player back in the day, having played professionally for some 30 years. While a brass finish on an instrument usually has a lacquer coating, it is not uncommon for players to have it removed for improved resonance, it also wears very readily in spots where you grip the instrument. Those spots tend to stay shiny from contact/abrasion of being held. Other areas (non-contact spots) will oxidize and develop a patina. In these instances contact with the brass is or should not be a problem as Brass like copper alloys possesses antimicrobial properties. It'll probably turn your fingers black or green from contact with the oxidation and your fingers/hand will smell metallic, but it won't hurt you.

HOWEVER, what IS a concern for a trumpet player is worn plating on mouthpieces. Brass poisoning is a real thing and can be a concern. But the poisoning only occurs, as I understand it, on items (mouthpieces - hence the proximity and distinct likelihood of ingesting contamination) that have been previously plated and have been worn to expose underlying brass. Raw brass that has never been plated does not present a risk for brass poisoning.

As for a razor that is brassing, I should think the risk is very, very minimal. If that thought is bothersome then get the razor refurbished. Or better yet, get a new on - as is anybody around here needs an excuse to do that!

 

[92percententropy]

You can get rust on an old razor if someone left a blade in it. Still, it's cosmetic.

 

[AlphaFrank75]

@JAD1327 here's some pics of my '40s Super Speed

If you're in the US, I'd like to get you off on the right foot with vintage Gillette razors. I'll PIF this to you if you're interested. PM me or reply to this post and we'll go from there.

 

[Hercule]

BRAVO, sir, on a very generous PIF!

 

[NorthernSoul]

@JAD1327 here's some pics of my '40s Super Speed

View attachment 1909647View attachment 1909648View attachment 1909649 If you're in the US, I'd like to get you off on the right foot with vintage Gillette razors. I'll PIF this to you if you're interested. PM me or reply to this post and we'll go from there.

1940s Super Speed, that's a good razor. I hope @JAD1327 takes you up on that offer. Really nice of you.

 

[DesertIguana]

They are fine, a soak in warm water and some bubbles, a gentle scrub with a soft toothbrush and they are ready to use.

Ditto.

 

[JAD1327]

I as well was a trumpet player back in the day, having played professionally for some 30 years. While a brass finish on an instrument usually has a lacquer coating, it is not uncommon for players to have it removed for improved resonance, it also wears very readily in spots where you grip the instrument. Those spots tend to stay shiny from contact/abrasion of being held. Other areas (non-contact spots) will oxidize and develop a patina. In these instances contact with the brass is or should not be a problem as Brass like copper alloys possesses antimicrobial properties. It'll probably turn your fingers black or green from contact with the oxidation and your fingers/hand will smell metallic, but it won't hurt you.

HOWEVER, what IS a concern for a trumpet player is worn plating on mouthpieces. Brass poisoning is a real thing and can be a concern. But the poisoning only occurs, as I understand it, on items (mouthpieces - hence the proximity and distinct likelihood of ingesting contamination) that have been previously plated and have been worn to expose underlying brass. Raw brass that has never been plated does not present a risk for brass poisoning.

As for a razor that is brassing, I should think the risk is very, very minimal. If that thought is bothersome then get the razor refurbished. Or better yet, get a new on - as is anybody around here needs an excuse to do that!

Thanks, this actually kinda answered a question I forgot to ask directly about the bottom of the red tip. After reading your comment I realized that the browned part of that razor was probably just the brass tarnishing, and sure enough I hit it with a tiny bit of flitz polish and sure enough it did shine up. I've left the razors alone otherwise, and they're looking good enough for daily drivers I think. I've gotten a pretty good shave out of the red tip so far so that was definitely convincing as well!

 

[JAD1327]

@JAD1327 here's some pics of my '40s Super Speed

View attachment 1909647View attachment 1909648View attachment 1909649 If you're in the US, I'd like to get you off on the right foot with vintage Gillette razors. I'll PIF this to you if you're interested. PM me or reply to this post and we'll go from there.

That's a very generous offer Frank, but tbh I would feel kinda greedy accepting that considering the condition of my other razors. I've realized that they are a lot better than I initially thought, and they definitely will work very well as daily drivers. Considering yours appears to be in very fine condition too I would hate to subject it to the abuse I tend to carry out on my belongings. My 78 super speed has collided with the floor way more often than it was likely designed for, especially considering that I managed to get one of the doors to pop off once and I had to spend a good long while reattaching it and bending it back to shape. I do hope that you are able to pass this nice super speed onto someone who could make good use of it though!

 

[JAD1327]

Here's some more glamorous photos of the razors including my Y2 super speed and the super adjustable I got as well. Currently a big fan of the super adjustable with an astra sp blade.

Hopefully it doesn't take me quite as long to reply to this thread next time! I unexpectedly got caught up in my college assignments I forgot that I previously decided to procrastinate on.