What to do with an unplated tech?

[jdudley76]

I just picked up, what looks to me, to be a tech with no plating. Looks like raw brass and copper parts. See pics below. I thought it had "some wear" when I bought it, but after bringing it home I'm thinking I probably shouldn't have bought this.

I'm not a collector...just want to shave.

Do I need to have this replated, or can this be used as-is?

 

[mark_mw]

Just clean it up with the usual items and use fine steel wool if necessary - it will shave just fine, but you may notice a "wet brass" odor

 

[amishmotorboat]

If it needs polishing, just MAAS and a cloth should do the trick. I think steel wool would be a bit harsh.
What to do with it? Shave, of course!
I personally like those copper caps without their plating better than with.

 

[82R100]

It should work fine.

You can also tweak it according to your tastes. If you decide that it's milder than you want, take a pair of scissors to a worn blade and make yourself a shim. I've been shaving all week with a shimmed fat handle Tech and it's been great. My next tweak will be to get some lead shot to pour into the handle to improve the balance. With the hollow handle, it's a little head heavy.

Have fun.

- Chris

 

[faster_than_u]

One of mine has similar plate loss. Shave with it she is a beauty

 

[Pioneer]

Shave with it!

 

[danparker77]

shave, faceterbate, have everyone in the house faceterbate you, repeat as necessary!

 

[marty44]

I've a simular razor/condition & I just started reading.
Really enjoyed the link to the "shim experiment".
Amazing how info comes at you & your not even searching.

 

[firehydrant]

I have a solid brass only Gillette “Old Type” that polishes up beautifully and shaves great.

 

[tomviolence]

after polishing, you could laquer it too. Keeps the shine ...

 

[jdudley76]

Excellent...thanks for all the responses. You've convinced me to clean it up and use it. I've been looking for a good mild razor so I'm excited.

Also, the razor came with these old blades (about 30 of them). Should I try them or toss them? I've never used a vintage blade, but I'm thinking they are probably not going to be as good as a shiny new Astra.

Though they are quite thin looking. That has caught my interest.

 

[GarageBoy]

Don't toss them, just keep them or sell the blades to someone who cares

 

[Gray Wolf]

Clean it up and try it, you may be pleasantly surprised!
There is plenty of time to decide if you want to replate it later.

 

[JoshD]

shave, faceterbate, have everyone in the house faceterbate you, repeat as necessary!

+1

I picked up one of those lovely techs today as well. Mine is a little mintier than yours. But that is ok. Just enjoy the shave! Just buff the head out on some dinem jeans and it will glow like gold! The shave will be nice and smooth.

JoshD

 

[Pioneer]

the razor came with these old blades (about 30 of them). Should I try them or toss them? I've never used a vintage blade, but I'm thinking they are probably not going to be as good as a shiny new Astra.

Though they are quite thin looking. That has caught my interest.

Here's an old thread on that topic - the general consensus is that it's not a great idea to use old blades, sealed or not

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=143590

However, you might want to keep them for display purposes.

 

[jdudley76]

the general consensus is that it's not a great idea to use old blades, sealed or not

Thanks, I'm quite happy not to use them and keep them for display only.