To Re-Plate OR Not

[Cmaster03]

Okay, I just picked up this finish worn NEW the other day and its already becoming a favorite shaver. I realize this is probably a YMMV and personal preference thing to some extent, but would you re-plate or us it as is?

If you re-plated, would you go with gold over nickel, or just nickel, or what?

Just curious what other B&B'ers might do with something like this.

 

[alabamalawyer]

It is certainly a personal preference issue on replating. Here is the link to the recent thread on replating. Check out the pictures of the NEW in Post #27 of the thread. That is my razor and it was in almost identical condition to yours prior to the replating. I like the results. At the very minimum it will give you an idea of how your razor would look replated.

 

[gollum83]

If you want opinions, mine is don't do it. I think it looks great in copper.

 

[AsylumGuido]

It really depends upon how you see your razors, simply as a tool or as a piece of history. Personally, I would never re-plate or re-handle a razor, but that's just me. I get a certain amount of pleasure knowing that I am using an authentic piece of history. In my mind that historic connection is broken as soon as the razor is altered from its original form in any manner. Does that change its effectiveness as a tool? No. In fact, it could very well marginally improve it. But, I have no desire to use tools. I would rather enjoy a slightly less efficient, yet authentic, shave.

It is a decision only YOU can make.

 

[Gruder]

I'm with Guido on this one. Plus, the copper shines up beautifully on these old plate-loss NEWs.

 

[mdunn]

dont replate!

 

[uberculture]

I'm itching to replate my NEW (looks almost identical to yours). I definitely see my razor as a tool, not a piece of history. Also, I can polish up the copper to a nice shine, but it then tarnishes again way too quickly. One of these days, I'm going to send it off for a replate. So I guess I'm disagreeing with the elders on this one...

 

[cooncatbob]

I would never replate a prime vintage razor, but as someone who uses NEW heads on my handles I'd say most NEW heads require extensive refurbishment before they are fit to shave with let alone replate.
Some say your destroying history when actually you saving these relics from the garbage can.

 

[Gruder]

I'd say most NEW heads require extensive refurbishment before they are fit to shave with.

Hi Bob. I'll start by saying that I do enjoy seeing your beautiful work, and appreciate that you've chosen B&B as a venue for the advertisement of your creations. Respectfully, we're going to have to agree to disagree on the part of your statement I've quoted above, though. I've inspected at least a few dozen NEWs since I've started this hobby (some I've owned, and some I've passed by at flea markets, antique shops, etc.). In my experience, nowhere near "most" of those heads were/are unfit to shave with. In fact, provided a standard cleaning and soak, I can only think of a few that would've presented a problem (and that due to bent teeth).

I post this simply because I don't want folks new to our hobby to see this thread and pass up the opportunity to try what you and I may agree is the best razor Gillette ever made, the NEW, simply because they see plate loss. Heck, a down-to-brass NEW was part of my first purchase on this very site, and I still shave with it often. I have a pristine original plate British NEW that provides an identically good shave. IMHO, plate loss simply doesn't affect a shave to a perceptible degree, as folks might come to believe from reading your post.

 

[Hoos]

It really depends upon how you see your razors, simply as a tool or as a piece of history. Personally, I would never re-plate or re-handle a razor, but that's just me. I get a certain amount of pleasure knowing that I am using an authentic piece of history. In my mind that historic connection is broken as soon as the razor is altered from its original form in any manner. Does that change its effectiveness as a tool? No. In fact, it could very well marginally improve it. But, I have no desire to use tools. I would rather enjoy a slightly less efficient, yet authentic, shave.

It is a decision only YOU can make.

Agreed. Completely.

I've been trying to find a way of expressing it, and AG hit it right on the head.

 

[cooncatbob]

Hi Bob. I'll start by saying that I do enjoy seeing your beautiful work, and appreciate that you've chosen B&B as a venue for the advertisement of your creations. Respectfully, we're going to have to agree to disagree on the part of your statement I've quoted above, though. I've inspected at least a few dozen NEWs since I've started this hobby (some I've owned, and some I've passed by at flea markets, antique shops, etc.). In my experience, nowhere near "most" of those heads were/are unfit to shave with. In fact, provided a standard cleaning and soak, I can only think of a few that would've presented a problem (and that due to bent teeth).

I post this simply because I don't want folks new to our hobby to see this thread and pass up the opportunity to try what you and I may agree is the best razor Gillette ever made, the NEW, simply because they see plate loss. Heck, a down-to-brass NEW was part of my first purchase on this very site, and I still shave with it often. I have a pristine original plate British NEW that provides an identically good shave. IMHO, plate loss simply doesn't affect a shave to a perceptible degree, as folks might come to believe from reading your post.

Let me rephrase that.
I didn't mean they weren't fit to shave with, I was commenting on the work required before they're ready to replate.
Most of the heads I've gotten off e-bay have required refurbishment.
I've had a lot more then a few dozen NEW heads pass through my hands.
Some of the more common problems are beside almost universal plating loss due to plating right on top of the copper or brass.
The edges of the soft copper caps are very often dinged and dented, they are also no longer straight, this causes the blade to be warped.
How it affect the shave I don't know but the new owner will complain.
I've also had had several heads which were twisted, one slipped by QC and I received a nasty e-mail.
I now do a multiple step inspection and refurbishment, which includes blocking the edges of the caps so that they are straight and removing any ding.
Since some of these razor heads have bent teeth and straighten them is a hit of miss situation I have extra caps from razor where I've broken the teeth to use on heads where the cap isn't usable.
Cleaning the old plating and the clear coat from between the teeth is a lot of work also but if not done the plating won't come out right.
I use needle files.
If somebody made new DE heads that looked and shaved as good as the NEW I would gladly quit refurbishing old NEW heads as it's a time consuming and costly PITA.

 

[cooncatbob]

whats in your heart, if you do replate it will look new again.

Plating is like painting. 90% of the job is the prep.
If you replate a scratched up *** you have a plated over scratched up ***.

 

[rainman]

You could replate. How much does that cost on top of your original purchase? I don't know. Maybe more than just buying one thats already excellent condition?

 

[Cmaster03]

Thanks, guys. Great input from several different perspectives and just the kind of food for thought I was looking for...

I must say I am torn on this one. This is probably my favorite razor in my small collection.

Beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder but I find the NEW head and this style handle simply a joy to look at. It seems to be about the highest quality razor I have too, which now includes a couple of Super Speeds and Techs and a Fat Boy and a Slim Adjustable.

It just has a solidity and heft and smoothness to it that none of my other razors seem to have.

Thanks again for the thoughtful responses.

 

[buddydog]

These have been re-plated

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