This is a long overdue thanks to the fantastic razor restoration duo, Chris Evatt of Razorplate and his collaborator, Chris CAP Smith; these two are the Rogers and Hammerstein, Elton John and Bernie Taupin or Leopold & Loeb of razor restoration.
THE RAZOR
I recently acquired a 1936 Gillette Aristocrat razor in the original case. Both the razor and the case were in better than usual condition. I shaved with the Aristocrat many times; I felt that it had a certain heft and thickness that made it smooth and steady. Therefore I thought of having it replated to use and enjoy.
INITIAL INQUIRY TO RAZORPLATE
I contact Chris Evatt of Razorplate and told him I wanted to replate the razor. He explained that this kind of razor was best completely disassembled prior to plating and referred me to Chris CAP Smith. He explained in great detail the metallurgy of that time; that these razors were plated directly over the brass, which often hid defects in the base metal. He told me many things I did not know.
INITIAL INQUIRY TO CHRIS CAP SMITH
As luck would have it; bad luck that is, CAP was on a hiatus for several months due to relocation. Nevertheless he explained what he did with the razors and how he and Chris worked together on these jobs. I patiently waited until he re-opened.
BEFORE
The picture above is how the razor and blade case looked before the repeating. CAP explained how these were made and said that mine was in very good condition despite its age. The razor was squeaky before and he set out to correct this. CAP sent the razor parts to Chris who did the plating.
Chris sent me a photo of one of the doors to show how the base metal had been etched and that it needed to be corrected, which ultimately it was.
COMMUNICATION
Throughout this restoration process, Chris and CAP communicated to me each step in the process, with exhaustive detail. I was pleasantly surprised by all of this. They each kept me updated on the process and what was done. This includes updates as to shipping, when the parts arrived, etc.
END RESULT
The photos below show the condition after I received it back from CAP.
This was cheap for all the expertise, skill and knowledge that this duo exercised over the restoration project. I couldn't be more satisfied.
THE RAZOR
I recently acquired a 1936 Gillette Aristocrat razor in the original case. Both the razor and the case were in better than usual condition. I shaved with the Aristocrat many times; I felt that it had a certain heft and thickness that made it smooth and steady. Therefore I thought of having it replated to use and enjoy.
INITIAL INQUIRY TO RAZORPLATE
I contact Chris Evatt of Razorplate and told him I wanted to replate the razor. He explained that this kind of razor was best completely disassembled prior to plating and referred me to Chris CAP Smith. He explained in great detail the metallurgy of that time; that these razors were plated directly over the brass, which often hid defects in the base metal. He told me many things I did not know.
INITIAL INQUIRY TO CHRIS CAP SMITH
As luck would have it; bad luck that is, CAP was on a hiatus for several months due to relocation. Nevertheless he explained what he did with the razors and how he and Chris worked together on these jobs. I patiently waited until he re-opened.
BEFORE
The picture above is how the razor and blade case looked before the repeating. CAP explained how these were made and said that mine was in very good condition despite its age. The razor was squeaky before and he set out to correct this. CAP sent the razor parts to Chris who did the plating.
Chris sent me a photo of one of the doors to show how the base metal had been etched and that it needed to be corrected, which ultimately it was.
COMMUNICATION
Throughout this restoration process, Chris and CAP communicated to me each step in the process, with exhaustive detail. I was pleasantly surprised by all of this. They each kept me updated on the process and what was done. This includes updates as to shipping, when the parts arrived, etc.
END RESULT
The photos below show the condition after I received it back from CAP.
This was cheap for all the expertise, skill and knowledge that this duo exercised over the restoration project. I couldn't be more satisfied.
