Plating Questions

[mbrossar]

I'm looking at re-plating a short comb NEW, and I'm interested in gathering a few opinions.

• I like the look of silver, so I'm limiting my options to Nickel, Chrome or Rhodium. I'm pretty familiar with the color differences between Nickel and Chrome, but I've never seen a razor done in Rhodium. Any comments on why one would choose one of these options over another? Is it more aesthetic than anything else or is one superior for one reason or another? If it's purely an aesthetic question, how would you describe Rhodium as compared to Nickel or Chrome?
• Any suggestions on platers? I've seen several recommendations in other threads, all of whom seem to get high praises, so I don't anticipate going wrong here, but I'm still up for advice.
• I'm considering getting a custom handle. Sad to learn a year belated of the passing of Cooncat Bob. I had spent some time with him and had some of his work. He was a good man and a fine craftsman. In his absence, I am intrigued by the work at UFO Razor Handles. Anyone have one of these handles? I hear good things about them but am up to hearing more comments. Also, the pieces I had from Bob were nickel plated brass. I get the impression that is not the intension of the guys at UFO Razor Handles. If I do pursue this avenue, what would you do? Would you plate the handle to match the head? If not, which of the above plates would you recommend to go with a stainless steel handle?

I look forward to your comments.

 

[Mick]

I have replates in nickel, chrome, and rhodium. All are a little different in the way they look (subtle but different).

For a New short comb you may want to stick with Nickel unless you want to get the custom handle you are after in the same plating (i.e. from the same replater) as chrome and nickel when put together (nickel handle chrome head) do not look all that good together.

Rhodium is nice and it is very durable but the cost is much higher than either nickel or chrome.

As far as handles, have you seen the factory handle that comes on the Sabi T1 and T2 razors? Very reminiscent of some of the work Bob did (not the quality but not bad for a handle on a $25 razor)

I bought a T1 just for the handle and I keep it in my box of "free range" heads long with a shorter Weber handle.

 

[joglander]

I have used the services of Onotoman--I think he operates Razor Restorers. He is in England, so you pay a bit more for shipping, but he does first class work. He replated my President in Rhodium and it looks better than factory new. He took the time to prep the razor completely. Mine had some stubborn gunk on it, and he worked to make sure it was perfect before plating. I would recommend him highly. But I agree that I would wait until I had the handle I wanted before sending him the razor.

 

[crfcom]

I haven't used Onotoman but have heard great things about him. I have used Reliable Electroplating in Massachusetts, and their work is impeccable. I had 4 razors Rhodium plated and all four finishes are flawless.
You get a whiter finish that's more like silver with rhodium than with nickel or chrome. Its also much harder than silver or even nickel and chrome, which is why its an excellent choice for things that live in a corrosive environment like razors do.

 

[garyg]

I'm looking at re-plating a short comb NEW, and I'm interested in gathering a few opinions.

• I like the look of silver, so I'm limiting my options to Nickel, Chrome or Rhodium. I'm pretty familiar with the color differences between Nickel and Chrome, but I've never seen a razor done in Rhodium. Any comments on why one would choose one of these options over another? Is it more aesthetic than anything else or is one superior for one reason or another? If it's purely an aesthetic question, how would you describe Rhodium as compared to Nickel or Chrome?
• Any suggestions on platers? I've seen several recommendations in other threads, all of whom seem to get high praises, so I don't anticipate going wrong here, but I'm still up for advice.
• I'm considering getting a custom handle. Sad to learn a year belated of the passing of Cooncat Bob. I had spent some time with him and had some of his work. He was a good man and a fine craftsman. In his absence, I am intrigued by the work at UFO Razor Handles. Anyone have one of these handles? I hear good things about them but am up to hearing more comments. Also, the pieces I had from Bob were nickel plated brass. I get the impression that is not the intension of the guys at UFO Razor Handles. If I do pursue this avenue, what would you do? Would you plate the handle to match the head? If not, which of the above plates would you recommend to go with a stainless steel handle?

I look forward to your comments.

Rhodium, as on the couple examples I have, seems to hold a deeper shine, but my sample is pretty limited. I too like silver colored razors as opposed to gold. Rhodium is more expensive, but in my opinion looks better than nickel, which I think looks better than chrome on a razor.

I have had only one replating experience, but did much research before committing some to Reliable (Ontonoman, a member here, draws only praise but I was worried about going offshore, so I have some that haven't yet come back from Reliable). Might want to see this thread http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...for-Replated-Gillette-President-from-Reliable also.

I did get a razor handle in stainless from UFO - took around 6 weeks start to finish. It is a nice handle, reminiscent of my Bull Mastiff from Cooncat Bob in heft & workmanship, but machined from stainless steel. One of the heads I sent to Reliable (short combed New) was to be replated in Rhodesium for the UFO. Since I haven't received that head back I can't comment on how well it looks with the stainless UFO handle.

 

[chilliman64]

I have several razors done in rhodium, including two toggles. they are magnificent! so shiny and clean looking, almost surgical in appearance compared to a gold toggle. I much prefer rhodium to nickel.

 

[Viseguy]

I have 2 UFO handles, a Goliath in red bronze and a Kaiser in aircraft aluminum, and they're both beauties. Rafael does wonderful work.

 

[Bustedup]

I can vouch for Reliable. They did an older gold NEW for me. It looks so good i can't bring myself to shave with it.

 

[dreadpirate]

I have several vintage Gillettes replated in silver, gold, rhodium, and bright nickel. Rhodium and bright nickel are the easiest to maintain. Rhodium is very shiny but darker than bright nickel at the same time. Silver and gold look awesome - but require tarnish removal about once a year. Dave (closecut61) replated my Gillettes.

 

[Sunflake]

Rhodium '59 Fatboy in Rhodium. The last pic is the original Nickel plating. Reliable Electroplating is who I used.

 

[gmgaj]

I'm considering getting a custom handle. Sad to learn a year belated of the passing of Cooncat Bob. I had spent some time with him and had some of his work. He was a good man and a fine craftsman. In his absence, I am intrigued by the work at UFO Razor Handles. Anyone have one of these handles? I hear good things about them but am up to hearing more comments. Also, the pieces I had from Bob were nickel plated brass. I get the impression that is not the intension of the guys at UFO Razor Handles. If I do pursue this avenue, what would you do? Would you plate the handle to match the head? If not, which of the above plates would you recommend to go with a stainless steel handle?

I'll throw out another option. I picked up a razorock OC little bastone, and while I didn't like how it shaved compared to my new, the handle went on my new just fine, and it is night and day above the standard ones. It is heavier (which I like), and the grip is much better. I have a LC that I had replated in nickel, and the handle matches like they were made to be together. The entire razorock razor was $20, so it makes for a cheap handle. If you want a longer handle, there is the "jaws" model (only $15), or even the mirrored pole, black hammer, or black tie options.

 

[alex2363]

I have several vintage Gillettes replated in silver, gold, rhodium, and bright nickel. Rhodium and bright nickel are the easiest to maintain. Rhodium is very shiny but darker than bright nickel at the same time. Silver and gold look awesome - but require tarnish removal about once a year. Dave (closecut61) replated my Gillettes.

Yes, but Dave [closecut61] is not a B&B hobbyist or Vendor any longer. B&B decided not to renew his vendor badge due to policy infractions, he is still a B&B member at this time but not a vendor..

 

[alex2363]

B&B vendors Stan/Above the tie, Onotoman, Krona Kruiser are all reliable and trusted replaters from our B&B community, you cant go wrong.

 

[DirtDiver]

You have the Ivory soap razor too! HAH, I have never seen one other than the one I won at auction... *high five*

 

[Mick]

You have the Ivory soap razor too! HAH, I have never seen one other than the one I won at auction... *high five*

Good eyes. Yes Ivory Soap promo old type, and two goodwill heads (the one with the diamond cut out cap is still in transit from Krona Krusier after a nickel replate).

I need to take a new pic of the "free range" heads as now the tec in there has been replaced by a solid bottom English Tech.

the ones in the pic above are (Top row L to R)

Gillette Tech
Gillette Old type (Ivory Soap marked)
Gillette Goodwill (solid cap)
Muhle R41
Jagger DE89
Parker 91R

Bottom Row:

Weber Polished stainless
Sabi/Mariner