BTW the white residue is not helped by the common use of stainless steel and brass handles with zinc heads, typically chromium plated. The combination of dissimilar metals in contact with each other and with a contaminated moisture electrolyte can set up a galvanic electrochemical reaction that will damage one of the metals, eating it away. For best longevity the handle and head should be the same material.
Rust and white residue on middle screw of the cap
- Thread starter Alex7
- Start date
After 6 years of fairly regular use (I shave daily and used it about 80% of the time), my Edwin Jagger DE89 failed. The threads had corroded to the point that they no longer attached firmly to the handle. While it's unfortunate that it failed, I was able to purchase a new one from themodernman.co.uk for $22.20 shipped to the US. I'm OK with $22 every 6 years, since I still prefer my DE89 to any of my other razors, including my all stainless steel Feather AS-D1 and my vintage Gillette black beauty.
As with cheaper aluminum alloys, replating is functionally impossible. Zinc is highly reactive to acid; acid eats it very efficiently. So the first step in replating would destroy the head.
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I've cleaned green off of many brass razors only to find a very nice razor under it. Brass, bronze, and copper are used unplated, and uncoated for exterior purposes because it will last for centuries that way. The statue of Liberty, tens of thousands of other statues, copper roofs, light fixtures, lawn and garden ornaments, many Capitol domes, all stand as testament to the durability of the product. The oxide that forms on copper alloys acts as a protective coating that protects the metal and prevents further oxidation. Brass threads will not fail on a razor due to corrosion.
Zamak used on modern razors is not the same alloy as that used on vintage zamak razors, it's not as strong or corrosion resistant. I do have some razors with zamak parts, but they are used sparingly.
Zinc is a common anode material (sacrificial)... its going to lose the fight every time... hehe
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Great info
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I don't agree regarding stainless razors. I only have one. A Rockwell 6s. But I've used it quite a bit and I don't dry it off religiously. I just give it a quick shake post shave. It still looks perfect.
I'm sure some grades of stainless can rust or stain. But some don't. The kitchen sink in my house is stainless and roughly 30 years old. It's wet constantly, never dried out after use and yet it has zero rust or staining.
This is one of the worst analogies and misconceptions when people talk about stainless steel and rusting... The coating on that sink is what keeps it from rusting, not the SS its made of!!
The same goes for copper as well. Just because its been used for decades as plumbing under houses people think its ok to use for other daily use items all the while not realizing that the pipes under the house is a completely different grade of copper and can only be used for that purpose and isn't the same grade as the copper shave bowl, coffee cup, or other items we use daily thats made of copper...
You should look at what alloys are used in different applications. Higher cost sinks are made with a better suited alloy to wet environment. I have a cheap cheap stainless sink in my kitchen that will tea stain after some months. I have to polish it periodically if I want it to look good.
If your razor is alloy 303, it will rust. If yours doesn't rust, it's not 303. 303 is what I've seen most commonly used.
And then some stainless is actually plated. My iKon handle is plated stainless. It won't rust. I believe iKon now powder coats/anodizes their razor heads for this reason.
And then there's other factors. If your razor blade is the same alloy as your razor head, or reasonably close, they won't react as rapidly. Also if it's coated with ptfe, same deal. As another member posted, dissimilar metals in water create a mild electrochemical reaction that facilitates corrosion.
So there are a number of factors that could lend to your specific situation. But I wouldn't want to tell another member to go flippantly forward with a $150+ razor. I'd want them to understand the potential.
But that's great that you don't have to worry about it. Yours is an enviable lot [emoji2]
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I just want to show you guys this. this my HD 34C, the first razor I bought when I started DE shaving. I've had it for about five years now. For the first year, I used it every day, religiously. It was the only razor I owned. After some acquisitions, I now rotate it with an SS Red Tip, an iKon Deluxe OC, Muhle R41 ('13), and much less frequently, an iKon OSS and SB.
What I want you to note is that the threads are pretty much pristine. I can see no corrosion, no degradation. I have treated this razor as an investment; I've respected it. I've never over-tightened the cap. I've (after learning it's not a good idea) never put it away wet. I've also never greased the threads, but that may be a good idea to do. I'm mulling that over right now.
This razor has over 1000 shaves on, easily. Over 1000 cycles of having the cap removed and reinstalled. Zero pitting, zero corrosion, zero badness. Merkur is a good brand. I don't know that my experience would translate to other razors. But, to be fair, my R41 looks just as good.
Anyway, just putting the evidence forth for your consideration. Put up or shut up, right?
What I want you to note is that the threads are pretty much pristine. I can see no corrosion, no degradation. I have treated this razor as an investment; I've respected it. I've never over-tightened the cap. I've (after learning it's not a good idea) never put it away wet. I've also never greased the threads, but that may be a good idea to do. I'm mulling that over right now.
This razor has over 1000 shaves on, easily. Over 1000 cycles of having the cap removed and reinstalled. Zero pitting, zero corrosion, zero badness. Merkur is a good brand. I don't know that my experience would translate to other razors. But, to be fair, my R41 looks just as good.
Anyway, just putting the evidence forth for your consideration. Put up or shut up, right?
I believe the screws on merkur are chrome plated brass screws set in zamak. I think I read that on these forums. That seems to be why merkur doesn't have the same issue with screws failing as EJ. I too started with a 34c and it to is still pristine.I just want to show you guys this. this my HD 34C, the first razor I bought when I started DE shaving. I've had it for about five years now. For the first year, I used it every day, religiously. It was the only razor I owned. After some acquisitions, I now rotate it with an SS Red Tip, an iKon Deluxe OC, Muhle R41 ('13), and much less frequently, an iKon OSS and SB.
What I want you to note is that the threads are pretty much pristine. I can see no corrosion, no degradation. I have treated this razor as an investment; I've respected it. I've never over-tightened the cap. I've (after learning it's not a good idea) never put it away wet. I've also never greased the threads, but that may be a good idea to do. I'm mulling that over right now.
This razor has over 1000 shaves on, easily. Over 1000 cycles of having the cap removed and reinstalled. Zero pitting, zero corrosion, zero badness. Merkur is a good brand. I don't know that my experience would translate to other razors. But, to be fair, my R41 looks just as good.
Anyway, just putting the evidence forth for your consideration. Put up or shut up, right?
Aluminum has been done well. This will last forever.
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Well that's interesting. My old sink sure doesn't look like it's coated? And if it is that sure is one tough coating to have lasted 30 plus years of very hard use. That old sink looks good enough that when we remodeled our kitchen several years ago we replaced the counter top but kept the sink.
well then I'll shut up... lol Are the R41s built the same? I didn't use that one bc I don't have even half the shaves on it...
I think Rockwell touts their 6s razor as being "marine grade stainless ". I have no idea what alloy that is? It's definitely not staining or rusting though.
I also don't know about coatings. I know non-smudging stainless appliances have a coating. I hadn't heard anything on sinks. The plastic on the fridge is really easy to scratch off if you're not careful.
But 316 alloy is good in wet environment. It's also more expensive than 303/ 18/8.
That's probably 316. I haven't ever looked into them, I'm going to check them out. You piqued my interest...
