Replating a President... is it worth it or should just leave it??

[ozzy_scl]

A while ago, I bought a President in excellent condition; no plate lost, and shiny. However the previous owner had left a Shick blade (which was rusting).
I was able to remove the little bits on the head, but the doors got a bit more afected. I had to remove the rust to the brass, and although are just tiny spots, I know they are there.

So I was wondering, considering a President is a sough after razor. Should I replate the doors, or should I live them like that?

If I replate, should the razor loose its value, if I intend to sell it in the future?.

And also, If I do replate it, can you really tell it was done it?

What you guys think?

here are some pictures of the razor, so you can see it.

Thanks.

 

[garyg]

I'd be interested as well, I have a couple "finds" that are missing an endcap

 

[ctakim]

I think the consensus is that if you are keeping it as a shaver and want it to look prettier, go ahead and replate. If you are going to sell it as a vintage Gillette razor to a collector, then you need to disclose the plating job and it will not command the same top dollar as a near mint vintage razor.

If you replate it, you should see about replacing the missing endcap, first.

 

[garyg]

I think the consensus is that if you are keeping it as a shaver and want it to look prettier, go ahead and replate. If you are going to sell it as a vintage Gillette razor to a collector, then you need to disclose the plating job and it will not command the same top dollar as a near mint vintage razor.

If you replate it, you should see about replacing the missing endcap, first.

The end cap can be replaced then? Do I just pry one off a Speedy & Superglue it?

 

[fidjit]

I'm in the same predicament as well.

Have a #21 that has some pitting on the doors, on the safety bars and ( what appears to be normal on these ) pitting on the top of the TTO ( and to me the photo's make it look worse than it really is )

I've actually had an offer to purchase as is, but I'm a damned hoarder and find it REALLY hard to let things go.

Because it's not in the same condition as my other razors ( which are all used for shaving ) it sits in the cupboard even though it still shaves fine.

I'm debating whether to:
1. Sell as is
2. Use as is
3. Replate and use.

I've had a quote to nickel replate and it's quite reasonable ( to me anyways ).

I have to make a value decision whether it's worth more to me as is or replated ( and I'm not just talking about just $$$ value here ).

 

[ctakim]

There have been posts here that explain how to fix an endcap, but I personally have not done it myself. It involves heating up the endcap on another razor to melt the solder holding it on. Then epoxying the free endcap onto your razor.

 

[garyg]

Thanks, that gives me an idea

 

[jakespoppy]

I put a Fatboy and a Red Tip in the mail today to have them replated. I never intend to sell them, but if I do, I know they won't bring less than they would if I leave them alone. They're probably only worth $10 or $15 apiece in their current condition, so they couldn't be worth much less anyway. And of course I would disclose their replating to a buyer.

If these had the possiblity of being worth $100 or $200 "as is" to a collector, then I wouldn't replate them. To me, these razors are more like vintage cars. Getting them replated is like restoring a vintage auto. Not "tricking it out", just restoring it to it's original condition.

It's your call, and there's not a "right" or "wrong" answer, it's only about what you want. Whatever you decide should be based on what pleases you.

 

[heirkb]

I wouldn't replate either of those.
I did replate a president, but it was waaaay beat up. Just be happy with the beauty of those razors and let go of the OCD's

 

[ozzy_scl]

Thank you guys for your answers, I think I'll just keep it as it is.
It doesn't bother me that much.

I'll look into those end caps though, I've been doing some reading about it.

Thank you guys for your help.

 

[dwestenk]

The end cap can be replaced then? Do I just pry one off a Speedy & Superglue it?

For me, this brings up a couple of questions:

1. Is there a reason that Presidents seem often to be missing end caps (or do we just not see or hear about SS's without end caps)?

2. Is any silver colored end cap from any SS or FatBoy or Slim OK to use to replace those missing from a President? Are they all the same size and material?

 

[razor_n_blade]

For me, this brings up a couple of questions:

1. Is there a reason that Presidents seem often to be missing end caps (or do we just not see or hear about SS's without end caps)?

2. Is any silver colored end cap from any SS or FatBoy or Slim OK to use to replace those missing from a President? Are they all the same size and material?

I don't know about question #1, but as to question #2, as long as the end cap is from a razor of the same era, it will match, and although the caps on the President were plated better than those of the SS, I don't think it would be all that noticeable.

The first end caps that Gillette used had a flat bottom and were beveled (for lack of a better term) at the top as you can see on the 1948-50 SS. Then at some point (1951?), they changed to the double beveled design as you see on the President and Flare Tip SS. The Brits, on the other hand, had pointed end caps as you see on the HD Rocket.

 

[fidjit]

Thank you guys for your answers, I think I'll just keep it as it is.

I've come to the same decision on the #21......

After some thought and some suggestions/comments by other members, this will stay original....

They're just beauty blemishes anyway

Now just the decision to keep or sell ????

 

[ozzy_scl]

I've come to the same decision on the #21......

After some thought and some suggestions/comments by other members, this will stay original....

They're just beauty blemishes anyway

Now just the decision to keep or sell ????

I think this is a very personal decision, and here your attachment to an item will play the biggest part.

For me is really hard to get rid of things, once I know its history.
I think you need to Analise what or why you want to sell it.

What ever money you get for it, is it really worth it to you?

I mean, you could sell a razor for 300 dollars, and that's sweet money, but you'll be making that money on a couple of days work anyways... on the other hand, you won't come as often around nice razors.


On my case, I might at some point sell the president (probably to buy some other razor, or who knows), but I won't do it in a while.

As a I said before, we all can make money working, but nice things are not available whenever we want them.

 

[dwestenk]

I don't know about question #1, but as to question #2, as long as the end cap is from a razor of the same era, it will match, and although the caps on the President were plated better than those of the SS, I don't think it would be all that noticeable.

The first end caps that Gillette used had a flat bottom and were beveled (for lack of a better term) at the top as you can see on the 1948-50 SS. Then at some point (1951?), they changed to the double beveled design as you see on the President and Flare Tip SS. The Brits, on the other hand, had pointed end caps as you see on the HD Rocket.]

Thanks very much for the great information!!