Ok to buy a razor with plating loss on head?

Is it ok to buy a razor (lady gillette) with plating loss on the head?

 

Yes it is. The plating is cosmetic in nature and many of us started out with razors that had plating loss and many use daily razors that have some plating loss.

If you purchase a used razor be sure to use Dow Scrubbing Bubbles in a can and clean it thoroughly including spraying inside the top of the barrel. This will help to clean and sterilize it.



Do not use the boiling water techinque on this razor because it can wear some of the coatings (stars).

In addition, a daily rinse off in regular isotropyl alcohol after you shave with the blade inside will help keep the blade cleaner physically and maintain a more sterile blade for the next time you shave. It also helps to leach the water out so that rust is inhibited on the blade and the razor.

Don't be afraid to go after this razor. If you can get it, get it and enjoy it.

 

Thanks so much! The boiling water advice is very helpful, I would have likely done that had you not advised me! Do you happen to know why scrubbing bubbles is so popular as a razor cleaner as opposed to other cleaners?

 

Plastic handled razors and special coated razors (some of the gold razors also fit this category due to the protective coatings used) need some special care.
Scrubbing bubbles has some of the same disinfectants used in hospitals and is easily to use. The "bubbling" effect gets into the crevices and cleans well.
After a general spray down and let sit for 30 seconds, I rinse the razor and then spray some Scrubbing bubbles on an old toothbrush and do a good once over to get these cleaner.
A good polish like Flitz and a soft cloth can help to get the head as shiny as possible and is easy to use.



Good fortune on the hunt.

 

Great advise, I live in the UK i've never seen scrubbing bubbles, anything else as an alternative?

 

Well, I did a little looking on the U.K. forums and other forums here.

Most in the U.K. recommend CIF Bathroom Mousse.

http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesc...g/Cif_Bathroom_Mousse_Citrus_Burst_500ml.html

However, this does not contain the disinfectant agents that are found in Scrubbing Bubbles. I think there is a work around. After cleaning, spray the razor with some Lysol spray and let that sit for about 10 seconds and wash clean. That should disinfect without cause a lot of damage. Or if you are so inclined, you can go to a beauty salon and find out what disinfectant they use for their scissors (Barbicide and Marvicide in the U.S.) and see if you can find those items.

Good fortune on your search.

 

Its really the cleaning im more bothered about, as i have some barbicide, (hope im right in thinking that will be ok) cheers for the cif mouse

 

Some have also recommended Oxyclean which I have used as well. I think the only issue with the CIF is that it has citric acid, so don't let it sit long.

 

Ahh thanks again.

 

Its okay to buy one with plating loss but for that particular razor why not get one in pristine condition. Many members here have that razor so why not advertise for one as a want to buy in the classifieds, members here always seem to pick up that razor. Also just have patience on ebay , one nice one will come up with no issues, its not a super rare razor .

 

Thanks for all the responses! Hanzo- I've been having some trouble finding a really nice quality Lady Gillette with no plating loss. The good ones seem to get snapped up on eBay. Have been looking for past few weeks. Will definitely continue to keep an eye out, and please keep me posted about if you see any!

 

Since I am not a true collector, I am not concerned about condition, although I would not pay high dollar for a junker either...

If you are looking only on Ebay, do not run a search string specifically for Lady Gillette because you will find razors posted by people who know what they have. I have had the best luck by searching just for safety razors and then looking at each posting. Yes, it is not efficient, but it worked for me.

 

I just tried Jeff's strategy on Ebay USA and on the first page a LG showed up with case, looks like it needs cleaning but it could work. Strangely its titled " Antique blue star safety razor rat rod". So far its at a pretty low bid point with 2 bidders, might take a look, has 14 hours to go until end of auction.

 

Makes sense. After our conversations today, I looked on eBay and actually won an auction for a Lady Gillette which appears to be in very nice condition. Hopefully it will be good when it arrives!

 

Congrats! We'll expect photos when it arrives.

 

Ditto!

 

for most razors that do not have plating loss... the price is much higher than a user grade one. However if your shaving with it... having some dots of a blemish is ok. Function before form first. Then looks.

At least that is how I look for razors

 

my new type gillette has no plating on the head at all... it looks pretty cool IMHO

 

Good to know, very interesting Tristen. Looks like an abstract painting by helen frankenthaler if her paintings were all copper tone.

 

Those are some pretty interesting pieces of art, hehe. But, ya, plating has a lot to do with aesthetics. The gillette in that picture shaves quite well, regardless of the plating (or lack thereof) ^_^