I've seen alot of the older razors crack in the handle... Is it just the time factor?? Do the cracks hurt the shaving ability of the razor?? Do they diminish the value of the razor?? Is there a way to protect the older ones from cracking?? I have a 1908 Single Ring that hasn't cracked, it's in great shape... I'm just wondering is there a way to prevent it?? Will shaving with it make it more prone to cracking or will storing it?? Just wondering.. Thanks for the input!!
Why do the older razors crack in the handle?
- Thread starter wscottb7862
- Start date
It would be my guess that the handles are tightened to tight causing the weaker handle material to split?
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Mostly it happened because of the way Gillette made the handles. They were friction-fit, a process which work-hardens the brass and sets up internal stresses that lead to cracking. A final annealing process would have been a good idea, and Gillette probably started doing that later on. Few brass-handled Techs show cracking.
At the extreme end of the spectrum I have a NEW Deluxe with a fully-split handle and no evidence of wear. It may have cracked before the razor was ever used. My razors with hairline cracks appear to be stable, but some folks use a little epoxy to ensure that the crack will not grow. Probably most collectors would prefer the razor without epoxy, though.
If your single ring has not cracked yet, it is probably safe to shave with. Keep it away from ammonia, though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season_cracking
At the extreme end of the spectrum I have a NEW Deluxe with a fully-split handle and no evidence of wear. It may have cracked before the razor was ever used. My razors with hairline cracks appear to be stable, but some folks use a little epoxy to ensure that the crack will not grow. Probably most collectors would prefer the razor without epoxy, though.
If your single ring has not cracked yet, it is probably safe to shave with. Keep it away from ammonia, though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Season_cracking
- Thread starter
- #4
Scrubbing Bubbles is fine. I've never have issues with them doing that. I've also replated many razors with cracks and the plating stabilizes the crack a bit more too.
My chemistry may be too weak for a definitive answer, but I think it is safe. Scrubbing bubbles contains ammonium chloride compounds, but exposed brass should only react with free ammonia.
That said, the directions on Scrubbing Bubbles recommend against using it on brass bathroom fixtures. According to this previous thread that is because it may damage the acrylic coating on those. But with exposed brass we do not have to worry about that.
That said, the directions on Scrubbing Bubbles recommend against using it on brass bathroom fixtures. According to this previous thread that is because it may damage the acrylic coating on those. But with exposed brass we do not have to worry about that.
- Thread starter
- #7
That's good news!! I was sweating that one!! Cleaned it up with a bit of Scrubbing Bubbles yesterday.
And so replating will help stabilize those that cracked, that's great news!!
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