Recent experiences with replate/restoration vendors?

[jcostom]

All,

I replated a Fatboy a few months back with the Razor Revamp guys. It came out very nice, and I'm happy with the job. That said, from what I've been reading of late, I'm in the minority, and am fortunate that it came out well.

Well, here we are, several months later, and I've got an old Red Tip SS that I wanted to send out to be replated in rhodium to use as a gift for a family member.

I've read that West Coast Razors is reputable, and have read conflicting reports about a shop out of Massachusetts. Anybody have relevant, recent experiences in such things?

 

[evnpar]

Above the Tie will do an outstanding job, provide excellent customer service, and are an active vender on B&B.

 

[rxonmymind]

Reliable electroplating as you are refering to the outfit out of Massachsetts did a top notch job on my 34' Aristocrat. It'ss take couple months, but meh, I was in no hurry. They did it right with dual plating of gold over nickel then laquer. Came out perfect.
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...g-A-fantastic-job-on-34-Aristocrat?highlight=

 

[AABCDS]

West Coast Razors is not reputable and neither is Razor Emporium; both are banned from B&B.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...-Razors-(NOTE-This-is-NOT-West-Coast-Shaving)

 

[brucered]

The two best replates I've ever seen first hand or in pics, are from RestoredRazors and ATT. They both looked like original, no loss of details or knurling, turnaround and price was fair and communiction with both was also top notch (a buddy had them done).

Both are great vendors to deal with and know their stuff. It was evident that they know razors and know how important prep-work is.

I've seen many replates that the doors don't close properly, adjusters are stiff, stamps on underside are not visibible, knurling is almost non-existent.

 

[garyg]

Reliable Electroplating does a very thorough job with the dual plating, I have had silver, rhodium and gold razors done by them. They aren't the fastest or the best at communication, but their prices were very competitive (summer 2013) and the results were flawless.

 

[Jimmyinkedup]

^^ Reliable has an 48 Aristocrat of mine right now as we speak. They were very up front that they do this as "fill in" work and it may take quite some time (like a couple months) but they explained the entire process to me and I was very impressed. Ive heard good things and am looking forward to getting it back sometime in January.

 

[Stampede]

Over the last Month I have tried to contact Reliable Electroplating By both email and telephone. I never got a single reply to my emails and when I contacted them by phone I explained that I wanted some razors plated and was told I would receive a call back from someone that could help me. I never got that call back either. So, if it takes a couple of months to get the job done and a couple of months to get someone to communicate with you...... I would say choose someone else. It is very clear to me that Reliable is a poor choice of name for their company. At the very least they certainly don't want my money for some unknown reason. YMMV

 

[Teppanyaki]

I recently had 2 of my razors replated by RestoredRazors (member: onotoman). He does many types of plating, including rose gold. Very highly recommended, the biggest problem is shipping as he is in England in Tyne-on-Wear or something like that. My 2 razors look beautiful.

Krona Kruiser is a member here who routinely sells razors replated in bright nickel or chrome for very reasonable prices. I have a chrome pre-war Tech with fat handle on order.

I have never heard of any bad experiences with either of the above and recommend them wholeheartedly.

I have heard good things about Above The Tie without problems. I would certainly consider using them.

Given the above, I don't see a need to try other vendors without more information.



I have heard mostly (not exclusively) positive stories about Reliable Electroplating.

There are a few other vendors that I haven't heard enough about to make an educated comment.

There is at least one replating vendor with a BBB.org rating of "F". I think that speaks for itself.

 

[ram57]

I had my Fat Boy Rhodium plated by Razor Emporium and they did an outstanding job. My razor was ready to ship back to me in 3 weeks but I had them hold onto it as I was moving from St Louis to Boise and had planned to visit an older Army Tanker buddy in Phoenix so I swung by their office to pick up my razor. They sent me emails regarding the progress of my razor on weekly basis and they were cheerful on the phone and in person. I had zero issues with them but I guess some individuals not so lucky by the comment above.

 

[onotoman]

Thanks for the kind words about my work guys.

I'd like to take the opportunity to inform anyone who has a razor out with me at the moment that my usual 3 weeks turnaround time (from receipt to posting out) has slipped slightly. So apologies for this.

Over the last few weeks, I've had my workshop/lab completely refitted, so I was completely out of action whilst the builders were in there, in total, I lost around 10 days.

The upside is that I now have a clinically clean, warm and well-equipped facility - no more freezing hands from British winter wind howling under the door . I can actually turn work around quicker now that everything is in one place too.

I'll post some pics if anyone is interested and many thanks for bearing with me if you do have a razor in my rota.

 

[brucered]

^ I'm interested in seeing some pics!