Why do people like solid brass razors?

[HDSledge]

Brass mellows nicely and can be polished back to a high shine very easily. I love a mild patina on brass. My first Wolfman is uncoated brass.

 

[Timeclo]

Brass tends to be more affordable than Stainless Steel razors and is just as durable, if I'm not mistaken.

I own the Brass Karve razor and it's enjoyable to use. Feels good on the hand, hefty, and I dig the slow patina look to it

 

[Dnallehekaj]

I don't own any brass gear, but I love the way it looks, both shiny and patina'd!

I haven't looked into buying any, so I didn't know it was cheaper than SS. This knowledge may lead to a RAD relapse

 

[Dave himself]

I bought a Fatip Piccolo because it was brass i think it'll look nicer when the nickel plating starts to wear off and gives that antique look when there's no plating left i can high polish it like the beautiful ones above. Dare say it will take me a while but it will keep me out of trouble with the wife.

 

[Wood Badger]

My guess it the "old school" appeal. Stainless steel is a relatively modern material in comparison to brass, so the brass gives off an old timey, Old World aura, that is kind of hypnotic, I think. If you find something made of brass, chances are it was manufactured before stainless steel became available. It has a certain antique charm to it, I think.

 

[Whiterook]

Just the beauty of it! This Timeless Bronze has been with me for two years. I just clean it with a tooth brush and dish soap when I put it away. Normally it gets used every other week.

 

[RayClem]

I don’t know, but all my stainless gear weighs a ton. Perhaps they’re machined thicker than my vintage brass based razors, or just happen to have thicker handles and such. Even my brass Parkers with Zamak heads seem to outweigh my vintage razors.

Parker does make a number of "heavyweight" razors. I have large hands and have arthritic fingers, so I like heavy razors and long handles. I let the weight of the razor do the cutting. I only apply enough pressure to control the path of the razor.

 

[srqshaver]

I personally love it. The weight is just right and the look is superb. You can keep it shiny and polished or let it petina. I have a solid brass GEM razor that's twice as old as I am and it looks and works like it was made yesterday.

 

[Doc Dan]

I have to admit that uncoated brass razors look cool, but the maintenance would be more, I think. I do not remember polishing brass with any fondness.

 

[mattps1]

Tarnished brass, nothing else in the world smells like that.

 

[rbscebu]

For some, brass is any alloy that is mainly composed of copper. For others, brass is basically a copper/zinc alloy. Then there is bronze (or gun metal) which is basically a copper/tin alloy.

Copper/zinc compared to copper/tin is softer, cheaper and easier to machine.

 

[rbscebu]

For some, brass is any alloy that is mainly composed of copper. For others, brass is basically a copper/zinc alloy and bronze (or gun metal) is basically a copper/tin alloy.

Copper/zinc compared to copper/tin is softer, cheaper and easier to machine.

 

[Whilliam]

I kinda like the patina of brass as it ages, though I am getting to the point of attacking my razor (Hone Type 15 in raw brass) with some Brasso.

Also, one of the characteristics of brass that I like is that it quickly warms and transfers heat well--a real treat on chilly winter mornings.

Stuff sure is heavy, though. And it does tend to drag along skin unless it is fully wetted. (Another reason for polishing it.)

 

[HDSledge]

Back when I was trying to decide on brass vs other materials, James sent me pics of a few parts. L-R used, stored, unused. My engraved Wolfman will develop the rich patina on the left within a few months but it polishes up easily. I use a Flitz cloth when I polish but I like the patina so have mostly left it alone. It never gets dark like very old aged brass. The used brass develops a rich patina while the stored one does not. I suspect it is the effect of water during the rinse and free air circulation.

 

[jeffmudrick]

I use Nu-Finish to protect my raw brass Karve, Micromatic and Gillette New razors. I never have to do a serious polish, just an occasional wipe.

And brass does not stink anymore than cilantro inherently tastes bad. In both cases it's chemical reaction that not everyone experiences. My brass don't stink and my cilantro tastes just fine.

 

[South Dakota Guy]

Because they were in the Navy, and the smell of Brasso brings back happy memories?

Back in my Navy days we used Never Dull. It is a soft cloth like material impregnated with some kind of polishing compound. It came in a metal coffee can in a big roll and you would tear off a piece of the material with your hand. When you used it the material would turn black.

 

[Barbablanca]

If memory serves, NevRDull is impregnated with jeweler’s rouge. I haven’t used any in ages, so what I remember may not be correct. Could be another very fine polishing agent.

 

[spirograph]

I like the weight and the break from chrome colored monotony of my other very fine razors. Brass does have a old era look and feel, especially with patina (and I like it whether it is polished or aged). Just damn beautiful. I do not notice the smell unless I intentionally endeavor to smell the razor and, when I do, the smell does not bother me in the least. I kind of like the minerally scent though, again, I don't often take to sniffing my razor.

 

[Tirvine]

Back in my Navy days we used Never Dull. It is a soft cloth like material impregnated with some kind of polishing compound. It came in a metal coffee can in a big roll and you would tear off a piece of the material with your hand. When you used it the material would turn black.

This has brought back fond and not so fun memories of polishing various items. I still get my fill with copper pans, but the copper plate on my razor is, thankfully, sealed.

 

[Doc Dan]

In spite of my feelings about cleaning and polishing, I have to admit that the Timeless is a beautiful razor and very tempting every time I see a picture of one.