Hi,
After inspecting the lot of razors I picked up on eBay recently I've decided I do not like the look finished units and am particularly unimpressed with how it holds up in used vintage razors compared to nickel. I should probably mention that I'm a "function over form" sort of guy, though I have no issue with owning more than one tool that can do the same job for both variety and redundancy's sake. To me nickel plating looks cleaner and seems the most practical for a razor due to it's greater durability.
Of the non-adjustable razors I have in my arsenal to play with the gold Aristocrat has the nicest weight, smoothest TTO action and is in perfect mechanical condition with some significant finish blemishes (plate loss, discoloration, water spots, etc..). I don't believe it's of particular collectible value as it came "bare" (no box/etc..) from an eBay seller who specializes in vintage razors as part of a lot that didn't meet their usual quality standards. This is a non date coded made in USA model with the blade pickup notches in the head. I'd basically be looking at a wash in price versus a new Merkur HD all-in with the cost to acquire and nickel plate the Aristocrat which is fine with me.
Anyone have experience nickel replating an Aristocrat that I might want to consider before calling around to find someone in town to chemically strip, polish and give it a nickel replate? I recall reading here that Gillette originally plated their razors after assembly so there should not be an issue with mechnical function post replate? Is the going rate for nickel replates still in the $20-$30 range?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts/advice,
J
After inspecting the lot of razors I picked up on eBay recently I've decided I do not like the look finished units and am particularly unimpressed with how it holds up in used vintage razors compared to nickel. I should probably mention that I'm a "function over form" sort of guy, though I have no issue with owning more than one tool that can do the same job for both variety and redundancy's sake. To me nickel plating looks cleaner and seems the most practical for a razor due to it's greater durability.
Of the non-adjustable razors I have in my arsenal to play with the gold Aristocrat has the nicest weight, smoothest TTO action and is in perfect mechanical condition with some significant finish blemishes (plate loss, discoloration, water spots, etc..). I don't believe it's of particular collectible value as it came "bare" (no box/etc..) from an eBay seller who specializes in vintage razors as part of a lot that didn't meet their usual quality standards. This is a non date coded made in USA model with the blade pickup notches in the head. I'd basically be looking at a wash in price versus a new Merkur HD all-in with the cost to acquire and nickel plate the Aristocrat which is fine with me.
Anyone have experience nickel replating an Aristocrat that I might want to consider before calling around to find someone in town to chemically strip, polish and give it a nickel replate? I recall reading here that Gillette originally plated their razors after assembly so there should not be an issue with mechnical function post replate? Is the going rate for nickel replates still in the $20-$30 range?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts/advice,
J
