Opinions Needed and Names of the Best Platers

[shear]

Hi:

I am NEW to wetshaving and I am doing research and will gather hardware shortly.

I know there is a lot of Gillette hardware out there. It is difficult to find Gillettes that are brand new AND FACTORY SEALED units at a reasonable price. Yes, I continually check sca-mE-bay.

To overcome this problem I was thinking about purchasing a used Gillette and then sending it out to be stripped then replated. By doing this I have the option of specifying the original nickel plating or selecting gold, or rhodium plating.

I need members opinions on this 4-part question:

1. Does replating decrease, increase the value of a razor, or does the value stay the same, should I ever decide to sell it?

2. Is replating considered "cheating" when it comes time to sell?

3. Who are the best replaters out there, regardless of cost?

4. Do they know anything specific about replating razors, ie do they specialize in doing this?

What is your opinion? Trying to find out what the consensus is.

Thanks B&B Members.

Shear

 

[slpknt10l03]

ONOTOMAN is said to do a very good job replating.

and I dont think theres anything wrong with replating especially if you label it as such when you sell it.

Honesty always sells the product better than dishonesty - I'd pay more (not much) for a replated razor. but i dont think you'll get you moneys worth on most razors. replating generally cost $30-$50

 

[Greybeard]

1. Replating has little effect on the pricing of an average vintage razor (which is not a high dollar item to begin with). These are generally meant to be used. It does have a negative effect on the rarer, higher priced and collector items.
2. It's dishonest if you don't disclose that an item has been replated at the time of sale.
3. B&B members buddydog and Onotoman have been doing replating for quite some time. I haven't heard of any complaints and there have been many compliments for their work.
4. See #3.

You may be able to find a local plater that's good but that varies from locale to locale. Jewellers replate also.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Why do you want a factory-sealed/NOS razor so much? Is it to resell, or to use?
If it's for resale, then replating is an absolute no-no, very dishonest. If you want to shave with it, it's very easy to sanitize a old razor and use it with no worries or concern about germs.

 

[Drewser]

To follow up on Go West's thought, and if the razor is to use, even a little brassing or wear on the plating isn't a big deal. I have a '49 Super Speed that has a little plating wear on one side of the head but after some polishing it's barely noticable and in no way effects the shave. BTW, this was a NOS razor, and the plating damage was from being stored where the head was apparently in contact with some other material which either trapped moisture or somehow accelerated some of the plating degredation. The cardboard inserts that were placed where the blade goes can do this. It's very minor, and I knew about it when I bought it, but beware that just because it's NOS doesn't mean it's pristine, especially for razors that old.

 

[Blue58]

Hi:

I am NEW to wetshaving and I am doing research and will gather hardware shortly.

I know there is a lot of Gillette hardware out there. It is difficult to find Gillettes that are brand new AND FACTORY SEALED units at a reasonable price. Yes, I continually check sca-mE-bay.

To overcome this problem I was thinking about purchasing a used Gillette and then sending it out to be stripped then replated. By doing this I have the option of specifying the original nickel plating or selecting gold, or rhodium plating.

I need members opinions on this 4-part question:

1. Does replating decrease, increase the value of a razor, or does the value stay the same, should I ever decide to sell it?

2. Is replating considered "cheating" when it comes time to sell?

3. Who are the best replaters out there, regardless of cost?

4. Do they know anything specific about replating razors, ie do they specialize in doing this?

What is your opinion? Trying to find out what the consensus is.

Thanks B&B Members.

Shear

Question 1.) I don't think replating will have much effect on the resale price of of the razor as long as this fact is disclosed when and if you do sell it.

Question 2.) I think replating is only considered cheating if you fail to disclose the fact when you sell it.

Question 3.) I can't help you with this one.

Question 4.) I know the process is very different for each type of metal and some places do one type but not the other because some processes are very time and labor intensive. it will also depend on what base metal is used for the razor in question. i.e. some use brass and others may be copper for the base metal. I have seen some within the same year that had brass and copper used in the handles.

 

[Shavely Manden]

I need members opinions on this 4-part question:

1. Does replating decrease, increase the value of a razor, or does the value stay the same, should I ever decide to sell it?

Depends on how you're selling it and to whom. If you're selling it as an everyday shaver that looks pretty, then you might get an increase in value (to cover the cost of replating), since somebody who's considering getting a razor replated might just pay for yours instead. However, replating will destroy its value as a collector's item.

2. Is replating considered "cheating" when it comes time to sell?

Only if you don't disclose that it's replated. Again, if you're looking for a shaver that doesn't look old (and, when the time comes, sell it as such), it's perfectly fine. Replating's bad reputation comes from people trying to get massive $$$ for "mint" razors that have just been replated.

3. Who are the best replaters out there, regardless of cost?

There's a couple that've come up in a ton of other responses, and I don't really have anything to add to it.

4. Do they know anything specific about replating razors, ie do they specialize in doing this?

According to B&Bers that do replating, jewelers sometimes don't put a thick enough coat of plating on to withstand day-to-day use (since they're used to jewelry, not a shaver). Also, if you're doing gold plating, they say you need to have it plated in nickel and have the gold plated over that -- that's why vintage Gillette gold razors have such awful plating loss. I haven't had a razor replated yet, but, when I do, it'll be from someone here on B&B who specializes in razors.

 

[shear]

Why do you want a factory-sealed/NOS razor so much? Is it to resell, or to use?
If it's for resale, then replating is an absolute no-no, very dishonest. If you want to shave with it, it's very easy to sanitize a old razor and use it with no worries or concern about germs.

I want my shavers to look: NEW !!! .....NEW !!! .....NEW !!!

Because I am: OLD !!! ......OLD !!! ......OLD !!!

 

[Go West Young Man]

I want my shavers to look: NEW !!! .....NEW !!! .....NEW !!!

Because I am: OLD !!! ......OLD !!! ......OLD !!!

Most of the vintage razors I've bought have ended up looking as good as new after a 10-minute cleaning.

 

[Shavely Manden]

Most of the vintage razors I've bought have ended up looking as good as new after a 10-minute cleaning.

There's a certain part of me that like shiny razors. Maybe I'm part magpie, but having a shiny, gold razor in the morning just feels luxurious (to complement the soft brush and scented cream). I'm also seriously considering getting one of my daily workhorses replated, just because it's a relatively inexpensive vanity.

 

[shear]

"Maybe I'm part magpie, but having a shiny, gold razor in the morning just feels luxurious"

I'm with you Shavely Manden, shiny flawless surfaces are SO ATTRACTIVE, I guess it's the mirror in me.

Shear

 

[Will P.C.]

A large majority of vintage DE are not high value collector pieces.

You do have your rare Gillettes that fetch a ton of money and I would never consider relating those

If you sold it on here, you would probably break even or lose a little money.

When I first got into straights, I thought I 'had' to have a mirror finish on a blade. I could care less now. If you plan on using the razor, I would not even worry about replating it. If you want set it on your mantle, than maybe you should plate it

 

[jansob]

I've replated some razors...and have one ready to send...because it's a relatively cheap way to get a really beautiful thing that I will use everyday. I also feel good about giving an honest tool a fresh new start, to be used the way it was meant to be: with pleasure.

It will not enhance the value much, but I don't intend to sell them. I could certainly shave just fine with a raggedy, splotchy razor, but for $30-ish it can be stunning as well. It's worth it to me.

I could probably buy a mint-condition razor for the same price if I were willing to spend a lot of time on eBay, but I'd rather just spend a few bucks and get it done. And support a small businessman along the way.

Rational? Not at all...but then a Bic disposable can do the job of shaving just as well as a vintage DE!

 

[steveclarkus]

I have a Gillette New short comb I use daily and a pre-WWII Tech I use occasionally that I'm going to have re-plated. Both are such excellent shavers, it's a shame having them look so shabby.

I would hate to devalue a $10 razor but it's a chance I'll have to take.

 

[TonyH]

I would hate to devalue a $10 razor but it's a chance I'll have to take.

 

[jansob]

I have a Gillette New short comb I use daily and a pre-WWII Tech I use occasionally that I'm going to have re-plated. Both are such excellent shavers, it's a shame having them look so shabby.

I would hate to devalue a $10 razor but it's a chance I'll have to take.

Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind! Please post results (and names and prices if possible)...I have a SC that needs it too.

 

[craig87c]

I'm with you Shavely Manden, shiny flawless surfaces are SO ATTRACTIVE, I guess it's the mirror in me.

*GROAN* that was a horrible joke

I want to get my GEMs replated in rhodium or hard chrome eventually, let us know what you decide to do.