Whats your views on replating, do you like your razor to be shinning like new or to be in the original condition, i do have 3 replated razors i bought when i first started out a fatboy, slim and a president and i have to say they look very impressive but saying that a few years down the line and i think now i would most probably not go down that line again but being a newbie with a bad case of rad at the time it was fine, what do you folks think of a replated razor?
Replating, are you in favour or not?
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I had a razor in pretty beat up condition cosmetically, but was functionally fine. I decided to get it replated, and get a new handle for it. The resale value for it was shot anyway, so I didn't affect the value, and I prefer the way it looks.
I agree with the above. There is a time or place for it.
My first birthday after I got into wet shaving, my parents snagged a case new standard short comb at an antique store. The plating was kinda rough, and there was a crack in the handle (standard for this piece). I had it replated for sentimental reasons, because I'll never sell it - blade box, too. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts they've given me.
As for razors with no sentimental value, replating them serves a positive aesthetic purpose, if done by a professional. However, it's value as a collectable is shot. Just keep that in mind - however, I've seen rhodium re-plated toggles fetch a fair penny 'round here because they're just so dang sexy.
As for razors with no sentimental value, replating them serves a positive aesthetic purpose, if done by a professional. However, it's value as a collectable is shot. Just keep that in mind - however, I've seen rhodium re-plated toggles fetch a fair penny 'round here because they're just so dang sexy.
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I have a few old british techs that are just down to the brass and thought about replating these but the cost of replating was 6 times more than the razors so i never got round to it, they are not worth much so replating would not matter, perhaps one day.
I'm not against replating for the reasons already stated. If a razor is in a solid condition but looks tatty because of plating wear then surely replating it will give it a new lease of life and allow it to be used for another 40-50 years?
Sounds like a done deal to me?
Sounds like a done deal to me?
I am solidly against it. Too much opportunity for fraud and destruction of historical value. Widespread replating will cause severe problems for future razor collectors due to lack of certainty over condition.
I love the look of re-plated old razors.
Excellent point! To be honest, I was on the fence about this... but I think you've just swayed me to the "against it" side. I don't know why I've never considered the issue from this angle.
I can understand the concern. However, I had my short comb New replated recently. It was down to the brass on the head. I simply could not stand the smell of wet brass. I did have it replated it in nickel (rather than gold tone) so maybe that will be a clue to future generations that the finish may not be original.
If your buying as an investment then don't replate. However if you are buying to use, well, a beat up ugly razor is just that.
The razors I collect I prefer to be real vintage pieces. I like them with cases, blades and whatever else. I'm not paying out the nose for NOS stuff, I won't go that far, but I like them to be as complete as I can get them.
The older razors I use are ugly beasts to begin with. I have 2 Techs that arent' worth anything. I don't object to replating those.
I do agree that it kind of muddles up the market as to which are genuine and which are replated. I don't think there are any answers for that. Buy using the BST from a reputable seller I suppose.
The older razors I use are ugly beasts to begin with. I have 2 Techs that arent' worth anything. I don't object to replating those.
I do agree that it kind of muddles up the market as to which are genuine and which are replated. I don't think there are any answers for that. Buy using the BST from a reputable seller I suppose.
I agree with Gruder 110%, from a collecting perspective.
It makes me cringe when people replate, paint, or modify a razor. Razor companies' recordkeeping is poor (or non-existent), our knowledge of razors is pretty much cobbled together from sharing information and research (some of which revolves around minute details of the razors), and modifying razors just muddies the waters of a solid knowledge of our hobby. And then there are the folks who offer the "rare purple-handled Fatboy" - which is a huge disservice to both those who are new to wet shaving and to collectors.
From a user's perspective, I understand the desire for something "bright and shiny" or the feeling that maybe it's now "more sterile" or something. I get that people like it. I don't agree with it though.
I have several razors that looks bad (bad brassing or banged up) - so, I don't shave with them. No big deal. But I keep them for their character.
I am a user, and not a collector. I will only purchase something I can shave with. However, as mentioned before, the value of a vintage razor is dependent on its condition. A seller that is passing off replated goods as original is engaging in fraud.
So, yes, I am in favor of replating. If you're a collector, and can't tell the difference, you're going to get taken advantage of. Only buy from a reputable dealer, and spread the word if you get taken for a ride.
So, yes, I am in favor of replating. If you're a collector, and can't tell the difference, you're going to get taken advantage of. Only buy from a reputable dealer, and spread the word if you get taken for a ride.
They're safety razors, not classic Dusenburgs.
Gillette made millions.
If they require replating they probably have little of no collector value anyway.
The true collector wants "Mint" or "Near Mint" condition.
As for fraud, I'm sure any qualified jeweler or appraiser can tell an original from a replate.
If your going to spend big bucks on a razor you should do your research or have the items appraised.
That being said I recently acquired a "Nice New Improved" it had the obligatory crack in the handle but was in other wise fine condition.
I did some minor cleaning on it and resold it "as is" rather then replate or convert it into a custom.
99% of the razor heads I have replated are from crusty old NEWs, Old Types and Tech I acquire off e-bay or via trade.
Most of these require extensive refurbishing to get them into shaving condition even before they're sent out to be nickel plated.
I believe I'm preforming a service restoring junk razor heads back into beautiful and useful razors.
Gillette made millions.
If they require replating they probably have little of no collector value anyway.
The true collector wants "Mint" or "Near Mint" condition.
As for fraud, I'm sure any qualified jeweler or appraiser can tell an original from a replate.
If your going to spend big bucks on a razor you should do your research or have the items appraised.
That being said I recently acquired a "Nice New Improved" it had the obligatory crack in the handle but was in other wise fine condition.
I did some minor cleaning on it and resold it "as is" rather then replate or convert it into a custom.
99% of the razor heads I have replated are from crusty old NEWs, Old Types and Tech I acquire off e-bay or via trade.
Most of these require extensive refurbishing to get them into shaving condition even before they're sent out to be nickel plated.
I believe I'm preforming a service restoring junk razor heads back into beautiful and useful razors.
I found a gold-plated long-comb Gillette New in an antique mall for a few bucks. It gave me a great shave but looked pretty bad. Much of the gold plating was gone. There was no particular collector value to that razor. Even though it gave me a great shave, I didn't use it often because it looked so ratty. I had it re-plated in nickel; now it looks great and has become part of my regular rotation.
I got a gold Tech from my father-in-law, whose dad used it. I had it replated($35) and love to see it sitting out on the sink w/ a refurbished EverReady200 I also got from him. I use them both.
I'm only for replating when it is necessary to preserve the integrity of the razor and keep it functional. In other words, I don't like strictly cosmetic restorations. If something is a basket case that is useless or will fall apart without restoration, then restoration is OK, since that will preserve it.
Too many people are hung up on flawless finishes and perfection. But you can't use something for 50-100 years and expect it to remain like new. Not just that, but patina - evidence of use - is a beautiful thing with the right perspective. I know exactly where people held my single ring for 98 years. That's where I hold it, too. The bit of brass peeking through doesn't affect the use or the integrity of the razor. So that is how it will stay as long as I own it.
Too many people are hung up on flawless finishes and perfection. But you can't use something for 50-100 years and expect it to remain like new. Not just that, but patina - evidence of use - is a beautiful thing with the right perspective. I know exactly where people held my single ring for 98 years. That's where I hold it, too. The bit of brass peeking through doesn't affect the use or the integrity of the razor. So that is how it will stay as long as I own it.
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+1 ...I have tech that will eventually earn itself a replate due to the damage that is present.
