Rough plating loss on head of English made Fat Handle Tech

[razors_ej]

I recently aquired my first vintage razor, an English made Gilette Tech, which I believe is a 1940's Fat Handle Tech. It has no writing at all on it except for under the base plate where it says "Made In England" on the right, and "Gillette" on the left inside a diamond. There are no codes, patent numbers or any other identifying information. However, looking at pictures on the web I believe I have nailed down what it is. Will try and post a picture soon for a more learned member to confirm for me.

It was looking very aged and was keen to see what it would look like cleaned up. It cleaned up pretty well, however the cleaning has revealed significant plating loss on the head. It is a bit rough to the touch in these areas and I am not too sure if I should use it in its current state. The base plate looks pristine and the handle also has a bit of plating loss but that doesn't bother me too much since it doesn't come in contact with my face. The head does come into contact with my face and is what is most concerning me. It feels as if the plating was painted on quite thick and is now flaking off in places, so as I run my finger along the area of plating loss I can clearly feel the edge of plating. The brass underneath also looks black at this stage, I haven't done much to clean it other than sitting it in very hot soapy water for an hour and then lightly scrubbing with toothbrush. The plating loss was there before cleaning so I know I haven't damaged it from my cleaning method.

Should I hit it with some metal cleaner and try to polish it back so it is smooth before using (even if it flakes off more of the plating? Is it safe to use with such plating loss or should I get it re-plated prior to using?

 

[razors_ej]

This picture looks exactly like what I have, except mine is in much worse condition and of course no packaging to go with it. They must have sold this model in Argentina also:

http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Tech/1940s Tech Set Argentina.jpg

also looks like this:

http://www.mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Tech/1946 (R3 on blade) Fat handle Tech England.JPG

Not sure if there is a way to determine exactly when it was made. I think something around the 40's is about the best I am going to do.

 

[4freek]

I would say use it for now unless any of the plating has lifted and could possibly cut you.
The nice thing about the 3 pc Tech's is that they can easily come apart and be re-plated.
Any shop that does Nickle plating can do it.
I just got a Fat tech and love it, My Fat boy and Slim have not seen action in a week.

 

[Foyle]

Metal polishes like Flitz and the like won't make the metal smooth. The only way you can do that is to buff or sand it smooth. You could try some metal polish just to see how that black area looks after it's polished. I wouldn't expect raw brass to be black. Nickel plating can turn black or get black spots though. It sounds like the head cap is already in pretty rough shape. Polish her up and see how it looks.

BTW, pics always help us see what you're talking about as we try to advise you on the best course of action.

 

[razors_ej]

Ok, I finally have some pics. I've cleaned it up as best I can. The plating loss (although extensive) isn't as rough as I first thought. I actually used it last night and seemed okay, though shaves very differently to my EJ89, much less curviture on the blade is what I think makes the difference. Apart from the brass (metallic) smell the condition of the razor didn't seem to affect the shave at all. I usually shave daily, but had 3 day growth last night so will see what it feels like on a normal daily shave.

However, the plating loss is extensive. Even the plating in the areas of the head that I thought was ok seems extremely thin to the point where I can start to see some of the brass showing through. Looks like this razor has seen a lot of use over the 70 odd years of its life. The base plate though is in much better shape, particularly where the writing is saying "Made in England" and the Gillette logo. If I get it replated I would be worried about damaging this area of the razor.

Luckily I didn't pay too much for this razor, pretty much thrown in for free when I paid $33 for a 1912 GEM in a box, in good condition. I saw the same GEM in the same box but in much worse condition at another antique store for $32 so I guess I didn't do too badly. Now I have to decide if it's worth getting re-plated or whether I should just look for another one in better condition.

 

[Copierguy]

There is something different about that head. I do not think it is just a standard English Tech....too bad it is so brassed....but I think I've seen that head somewhere. I'll look around.

Ok here it is:

 

[Jeff_H]

As soon as I saw that base plate with the channel down the center I thought "I didn't think Tech heads looked like that, that looks like a NEW attribute). Perhaps this is a really good find for the OP. Having it replated in Rhodium if that's what the finish is (or even if it isn't) would make it look AMAZING.

 

[razors_ej]

Wow, now that is interesting. You guys have amazing eyes! To think it was sitting there for a good few months before I gave it a home and I only got it because it was thrown in with the nice looking Gem razor. I'm not sure if it is Rhodium plated or not as I don't have a nickle plated razor to compare it to, but that base plate sure is shiny so could be. I must admit picking up the baseplate now and then just to look at it, it does draw my eye.

It does seem to exactly match those pictures above of the Made In England Tech/New Hybrid. I'll try and take some more pictures tonight with the razor disassembled and with a better camera.

Yeah, shame it is so brassed but I don't think I would have been as lucky to own it if it wasn't so brassed. Someone would have picked it up long ago I would imagine. Also a shame it didn't come with any case, those look cool too. The lack of case would explain the condition I guess. However, I don't think it is too banged up apart from the plating badly worn through though.

If it is the New/Tech Hybrid, should I leave it as-is and continue to use it in its original condition? Or does it really deserve to be restored to its former Rhodium plated glory? If it was Rodium plated, then it would seem a crime to just plate it in Nickle or Chrome, but I guess Rhodium plating would be pricey too.

 

[Copierguy]

**edit**
If it is the New/Tech Hybrid, should I leave it as-is and continue to use it in its original condition? Or does it really deserve to be restored to its former Rhodium plated glory? If it was Rodium plated, then it would seem a crime to just plate it in Nickle or Chrome, but I guess Rhodium plating would be pricey too.

That is an ongoing dilemma for many and I can see different sides to the question. On one hand, if you restore the plating and make it look nice you increase the odds that it could survive if it fell into the hands of the unknowing someday. On the other hand one could say you are erasing history or at least "painting over it" and someone might buy it someday thinking it's all original. If you had it replated in nickel or something else non-original then at least you could avoid that. It's your call.....Congrats on the great find.

 

[Jeff_H]

I think it all depends whether you are a collector or a user. If you are a collector, there is some value in keeping it as is, perhaps trying to find the correct case to match it with. I believe in collector circles, replated razors are worth less than their original counterparts.

If you are simply a user, then a replate hardly has any effect for you. What it does it make it look like brand new, make it feel better especially on the head when you shave and you ensure the razor will far outlast you, given that you give it reasonable care.

At this point, I am a user. I do not see myself being a collector, but I never rule anything out either. I am in the process of finding my favorite types of razors. Once I do that I will have them all replated in Rhodium. Maybe a few in nickel since it's cheaper. Rhodium runs in the $90 range give or take. Nickel is half that generally.

 

[razors_ej]

Yeah, it is a tough dilemma. I'm not looking to sell it now, but I also wouldn't want to do anything to proclude selling it later on.

I guess I am more of a preserver/collector than a user. For example I'm never the guy that would take a mint item out of a box to use, I'd leave it well alone and keep it in its box. I am more than happy using my EJ89 every day, I don't think I could find a better shaver, but then thought it would be cool to find and use something vintage. But, if it's rare (valuable?) I'd be more inclined to just leave it as-is and get something else old and cool for occasional use. Almost wishing now I had just left it as-is without washing all that "Patina" off. Having said that, in its present condition I'd be worried about further deterioration leaving it unplated.

If I don't plate it, what is the best way of preserving it and preventing further corrosion? Should I dip it in some kind of mineral oil or something else?

But . . . I shouldn't get carried away. When I take better pictures it might turn out to be something completely different.

 

[onotoman]

Those English Techs in the leather zipper case are definitely Rhodium Plated. I have one of my own and I experimented with it by placing it in my nickel stripping tank (if it were nickel it would have stripped back to the brass). The razor came out exactly as it went in. The plating also has a silver-white sheen of Rhodium too.

On the OP's razor, the handle is worn through to the brass so would benefit from replating in either bright nickel or Rhodium.

 

[mr-razor]

Those English Techs in the leather zipper case are definitely Rhodium Plated. I have one of my own and I experimented with it by placing it in my nickel stripping tank (if it were nickel it would have stripped back to the brass). The razor came out exactly as it went in. The plating also has a silver-white sheen of Rhodium too.

On the OP's razor, the handle is worn through to the brass so would benefit from replating in either bright nickel or Rhodium.

Is only the head rhodium plated or the handle too? I blieve it´s only the head.