What finish on DE razor won't tarnish or rust in shower

[Heespharm]

I shower shave every once in a while... What razor finish would be most resistant to sitting in water.. Nickel?? Chrome?? Rhodium haha ??? Btw I use a ocmm or Gillette new OC long comb and looking to replate

 

[Shutterbug57]

None of them will rust (brass does not rust). As for just sitting in water long term, I can't imagine any would like that too much.

 

[dcobranchi]

Chrome is probably your best bet. There's a reason motorcycle parts are plated in it.

 

[Heespharm]

Then fatip here I come..

 

[Haiku]

Old Gillette razors, which were all brass and plated in nickle last just about forever. After say 50 years when the plating gets thin you can get them replated. Local guy who does motorcycle parts in my town will plate a razor for $25.

Otherwise, get a stainless steel razor like a Tradere or a Weber. If you want to spend some real money, get a Darwin which is made out of cobalt steel.

 

[Planbee]

How about a bakelite razor?

Remember, however, that blades (even stsinless steel ones) can rust, even if the razor doesn't. That shouldn't be an issue if you go through a blade a week.

 

[derjoachim]

There's a reason motorcycle parts are plated in it.

Mostly looks. Chrome on a motorcycle has a disadvantage: in order to keep it shiny you have to polish it. Often.

Back on topic: a razor will not rust since the raw materials do not contain iron. As for tarnishing, I am not sure.

 

[Jeff_H]

I shave in the shower every day. I've shaved with everything from my 1921 Silver plated Old Type, my 1930's New (replated nickel), original Aristocrat's in gold, Fat Boy, Slim, Super Speed, modern Merkur and Muhle razors. I have zero issues with my razors. They certainly do not just sit in water in the shower.

Every day when I'm done with my shave and shower, I take the razor out and dry it off. I used to just wipe down the outside but lately I've been disassembling the entire thing, patting everything dry and then putting it back together. Occasionally I will be in a hurry or have something on my mind and forget my razor. It simply hangs on it's hook in the shower and dries like it would sitting in it's stand on my counter.

A small amount of care right after your shower will alleviate any concerns you have, about any material your razor is made out of. Get the material that you like best on the razor that you like the best. Don't concern yourself with what the plating is because you shave in the shower. They will all be fine.

 

[bakerbarber]

I prefer silver.

 

[Copierguy]

I would not leave a razor in the shower for safety concerns. As far as water exposure during the shave, everyone rinses their razors in/with water.

 

[Heespharm]

Trust me my copper new is green and not with envy... It was freshly polished when I started

 

[Jeff_H]

If I had to pick a plating, it would be Rhodium. Gold is the softest of all of them. Chrome may be a bit harder, I can't remember now. I like the warmth of nickel compared to Chrome and I like the blue hue that Rhodium gives.

 

[LexArt]

It's an interesting but totally hypothetical question. Why do I think so? My reasons are:
1. For example, you've bought a chrome-plated razor for $40. If you take care of it, it will be in use for years, and a probability to rust is quite inessential, I think. For example I always wipe my razor (not blade) after a shaving and clean it with alcohol once a month to remove a thin soap coating. Even if it rusts after 10 or 12 years of using, that will not be a serious problem because of its price. So I don't understand people buying stainless steel razors - it will be in use for many years, but a chrome-plated will be too. But a price of a stainless steel one is more than $130, so you can buy 4 chrome-plated razor for that money.
2. Even if your razor have a tarnish, it will not prevent your shaving. It can be even aesthetically beautiful.

 

[Panama]

It's an interesting but totally hypothetical question. Why do I think so? My reasons are:
1. For example, you've bought a chrome-plated razor for $40. If you take care of it, it will be in use for years, and a probability to rust is quite inessential, I think. For example I always wipe my razor (not blade) after a shaving and clean it with alcohol once a month to remove a thin soap coating. Even if it rusts after 10 or 12 years of using, that will not be a serious problem because of its price. So I don't understand people buying stainless steel razors - it will be in use for many years, but a chrome-plated will be too. But a price of a stainless steel one is more than $130, so you can buy 4 chrome-plated razor for that money.
2. Even if your razor have a tarnish, it will not prevent your shaving. It can be even aesthetically beautiful.

I dropped my EJ and the head broke off, went for a Weber. Not because it is stainless, because it is less likely to break. Plated brass would be just fine, if it shaved as well as the Weber. Not likely.

 

[xxvaleria]

Fresh water won't hurt a razor--they were built to be used with water. Salt water, on the other hand, might have some corrosive effect.

 

[LexArt]

I dropped my EJ and the head broke off, went for a Weber. Not because it is stainless, because it is less likely to break. Plated brass would be just fine, if it shaved as well as the Weber. Not likely.

Well, maybe you're right - I've never dropped my razor, so I have nothing to say about it.

 

[onotoman]

Hi Guys,

I posted some information on my blog a while ago with regards metal hardness values - here's the information for reference:

I’m often asked about the hardness (wear-resistance) if various materials, so here’s a quick comparison. Obviously I don’t replate razors in Diamond, Tooth Enamel or Lead (at least I haven’t been asked yet

, but it’s there for comparison:
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is based on the ability of one natural sample of matter to scratch another mineral:
Diamond – 10
Tungsten – 7.5
Tooth Enamel – 5
Nickel – 4
Platinum – 4
Chromium (and Black Chromium) – 8.5
Rhodium Family (Palladium, Iridium) – 5 to 6
Silver – 2.5
Gold (24ct) – 2.5
Lead – 1

If I had to pick a plating, it would be Rhodium. Gold is the softest of all of them. Chrome may be a bit harder, I can't remember now. I like the warmth of nickel compared to Chrome and I like the blue hue that Rhodium gives.

 

[duderubble]

Chrome is hard, but ime, tends to flake rather than wear. Not a fan of chrome. I prefer nickel, so far at least.