New Improved: Leave Raw Brass or Re-plate?

[Foyle]

I was going to send my New Improved off to Krona for a re-plate in chrome, but it has a couple of bent teeth, and I thought it might be nice to try to find a specimen that was in a little better shape if I'm going to get it re-plated. So, what do you gents think? Should I get it re-plated, or should I just buff it up good and give it a shot of lacquer to protect it and save the re-plate for one without bent teeth?

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[inspiringK]

Are the bent teeth pictured? Razor looks like a great candidate for a replate from this angle.

 

[Foyle]

The corner tooth on the side closest to the camera is bent inward and downward slightly. So is its counter-part on the other side.

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

Personally, I would replate. Brass will tarnish with extended exposure to water and the atmosphere. If you don't mind the patina that will form, leave it as is. Me? I like shiny stuff!!

 

[inspiringK]

The corner tooth on the side closest to the camera is bent inward and downward slightly. So is its counter-part on the other side.

Oh, I see it now. It really is very minor though and in all likelihood you won't be able to detect it during the shave at all. So, I am sticking with "replate".

 

[Elevenn]

I have a New SC in similar condition. Although I periodically consider replating it, I find its current "naked" state to be intrinsically handsome. Maybe the brass/copper color combination, which really isn't difficult to maintain, reminds me of its history and age. Or maybe I'm afraid a replate will destroy its unique character. Who knows - certainly not me.

 

[Rothman]

For me, it would be hard to justify plating it. It's almost like having a Corvette that's been crashed re-painted without doing the body work, the paint will look amazing but in the end it's still not right. I would just enjoy it as is and if you want something nicer, hold out for a clean specimen for re-plate.

 

[Chris Pittman]

I really like the way it looks. It is a well-used antique that shows its age, it has character that a freshly replated razor does not have.

 

[echotron]

I just voted for buff it and leave it (I see I'm in the minority). The older I get, the more I like "character" in an older item ... maybe its a self-reflection thing!

 

[Haegar]

I would replate it.

The older I get, the more I like "character" in an older item ... maybe its a self-reflection thing!

Interesting. The older I get the more I like things that look similar to like they used to look ages ago. Maybe it's a remember-my-good-old-days thing...

 

[bhorsoft]

Use it and find a perfect specimen for a replate if you want a second of the same razor. Me, I like a little more variety so I would use the replate money to buy something different.

 

[KindestCutofAll]

Replate, however I highly recommend Rhodium.

Read up and you'll see why.

 

[Joezamboni]

I have a new improved tuckaway over with Krona getting replated as we speak.

I like my shiny damnit, lol.

 

[shoulderpet]

I was going to send my New Improved off to Krona for a re-plate in chrome, but it has a couple of bent teeth, and I thought it might be nice to try to find a specimen that was in a little better shape if I'm going to get it re-plated. So, what do you gents think? Should I get it re-plated, or should I just buff it up good and give it a shot of lacquer to protect it and save the re-plate for one without bent teeth?

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That is a stunning looking razor , it would be a shame to let it tarnish further, I think you should definitely replate it. With regards to bent teeth I have had a razor with this and I very carefully bent them back to where they should be using a pair of pliers, as long as you are careful this should be fine to do.

 

[onotoman]

Razors were and are plated because brass reacts to acids in soaps and even water. If you don't constantly polish the brass, it'll begin to tarnish after a few days and eventually display green deposits. An inexpensive replate in Bright Nickel is more than adequate to provide a strikingly hansom piece that, f done properly will last a lifetime (or two).

 

[Foyle]

For me, it would be hard to justify plating it. It's almost like having a Corvette that's been crashed re-painted without doing the body work, the paint will look amazing but in the end it's still not right. I would just enjoy it as is and if you want something nicer, hold out for a clean specimen for re-plate.

See, this is pretty much my concern. Onotoman makes some great points for a re-plate, but the thing about new finish on old damage is that the new finish just amplifies any imperfections. For instance, the small crack in the handle won't be covered up by plating. I suppose it could be mended with some silver solder and smoothed out to look more seamless. As to the brass reacting with the acids in soap and water, I can seal the razor in lacquer. At least this way the feel of the razor would be similar to it having been plated in gold since those were lacquered anyway. That will at least protect the outside surfaces. I suppose the benefit to a re-plate would be that the inner surfaces of the handle and the barrel would be better protected.

The jury's still out on this.

 

[FoiledAgain]

I like the way it looks now. I vote polish and lacquer it and enjoy the old look. Save your money.

If you do try to bend the tooth back, I would suggest going to an optometrist's office which sells eye glasses...they have a heated silicon box into which they insert glasses frames before they bend the metal when making adjustments to minimize the risk of cracking....ask them if they can dip the razor in that box and then use their specialized tools to try and bend the tooth back to the original position. They are good at bending metal back to the original position because they do it all the time. Also, their tools are designed not to mar the finish. As long as you agree to not hold them responsible for the results, they will probably love the challenge. Just a thought.