pros and cons to different materials used in DE razors?

[shavemonkey]

Im fairly new to the wet shave scene and currently using an Edwin Jagger chrome plated lined handle DE89 which i'm more than happy with...being the irrational money spender that i am though i already find myself eyeing up the Gold Plated version of the DE89...mainly cus i think it would look extra stylish on the shelf. It got me thinking though if there is any physical benefit to Gold plating (or maybe other materials such as Ivory/enamel handles for that matter) over Chrome...longer lasting coating maybe? easier to clean? smoother shave even? Any disadvantages in various materials (apart from the obvious price difference)? Thinking about it, is there a particular material or combination of materials used that would be considered to make the 'perfect' Razor?




oh, here's a link to the EJ gold plated if your interested...

http://www.theenglishshavingcompany...al DE Safety Razors@bEdwin Jagger|0|user||25|

 

[The M]

I personally don't think that gold finishes make a razor better or more durable just more expensive. I like nickel( and chrome to be honest) coating but I would much prefer a brushed finished razor because it will be harder to make a noticeable scratch. Just as a example when I went to the D.C. pen show I bought a drafting style mechanical pencil and I opted for the brushed finish one and I have yet to put a noticeable scratch on it and I have had it for a few years now.

 

[celestino]

I personally don't think that gold finishes make a razor better or more durable just more expensive. I like nickel( and chrome to be honest) coating but I would much prefer a brushed finished razor because it will be harder to make a noticeable scratch. Just as a example when I went to the D.C. pen show I bought a drafting style mechanical pencil and I opted for the brushed finish one and I have yet to put a noticeable scratch on it and I have had it for a few years now.

+1 i don't like the gold-plating and i think it is an aesthetic thing, and much prefer the chrome/nickel/rhodium on razors. However, YMMV.

 

[Foyle]

Gold plating on almost anything will wear off pretty fast. If you want durability get the chrome. Chrome is really hard stuff and tends to hold up to wear really well. the gold plating is usually very thin and wears through pretty fast.

 

[mblakele]

I think this is one area where Gillette had it right in the 40s-60s: nickel-plated brass is the best choice for a mass-market razor.

For a base metal, some will say corrosion-resistant ("stainless") steel is best because it needs no plating. But it makes the razor more expensive - and it can and does rust anyway, so some manufacturers plate it as a precaution. Some will say zamak is garbage and will not last: I have a 60s or 70s Merkur that still looks very nice, but let that pass. I think properly annealed brass is an excellent choice because of its price, strength, and workability. It may develop green spots, but that is just patina. Patina can be polished off, and clean brass can be plated again. Actual rust, on the other hand, threatens the integrity of the metal.

For plating, gold has its merits. It does not tarnish. But it is expensive, so the plating tends to be thin - and soft, so the plating tends to wear away. Anyway I prefer the look of silver-colored metals. Silver itself is nice, but also a little expensive and it tarnishes. Chrome and rhodium are very shiny, but seem to be brittle and prone to flaking. Palladium and rhodium tend to corrode blades more quickly, by turning them into sacrificial anodes. Nickel is cheap, has the right balance of ductility and hardness to wear well, and its galvanic potential is very close to that of a steel blade.

Of course none of this will persuade anyone whose RAD is focused on stainless steel, nor gold, etc. But this is why I think nickel-plated brass was, and remains, an excellent design decision.

 

[BBrad]

I think this is one area where Gillette had it right in the 40s-60s: nickel-plated brass is the best choice for a mass-market razor.

. . . Nickel is cheap, has the right balance of ductility and hardness to wear well, and its galvanic potential is very close to that of a steel blade.

Of course none of this will persuade anyone whose RAD is focused on stainless steel, nor gold, etc. But this is why I think nickel-plated brass was, and remains, an excellent design decision.

Well said, sir! That is exactly why we see so many vintage nickel-plated razors still in use today. The Depression-era Gillette NEW with its thin gold wash over unplated brass is rarely found with its original plating intact . . . and just about every Super Speed ever made will still shine when polished with MAAS!

Personally, I love the look of gold and all but two of my "rotation" razors are gold plated . . . but you can't beat nickel for durability!