Changing original razor plating

I'm new to the forum, but been around wet shaving for a little while. On another forum I saw Delta Echo Razor Works plating razors in non traditional, yet attractive colors & metals. This slim is available on their website.
[I am not affiliated, just like their stuff.]

 

Yeah, I love their work but I suspect some traditionalists may not.

 

Hello fellows, I just thought I would add some more to this topic as far as coatings for razors. I consider myself a bit of a traditionalist most of the time, however, when something is cool, I give credit where credit is due. I was the recipient of a gift a few months ago, and I find it to be very cool. In fact I would have ordered one like it if I haven't been given this one. It's a Delta Echo Razor Works Steampunk Fat Handled Tech. I like it so much I stripped and restored an old Red & Black case to put it in. Here's a couple photos of that set-







I'm very proud of this gift. It's a beautiful razor, and it shaves great too. I can highly recommend DERW razors. These coatings are not easily damaged either. And they help the razor glide right over my skin. I am impressed with these, even though I lean toward a more traditional approach to replating. So there's my two cents worth, have a great night!

 

If I recall, the proprietor of Delta Echo refinished firearms before doing razors. I have heard the coating does make for a smooth glide over skin.

 

I am new here and went back to Gillette DE razors not too long ago and wondered why I ever stopped using them from my younger days using my Dad's Flair Tip. I do like traditional looking razors, especially my Super Adjustable (Black Beauty) with short handle. I like the contrast of black handle and nickle plate. But on the other hand, I also wanted something different, so I put together a short comb razor using Gillette head and back with custom handle. I sent it to Jaye at Delta Echo and received a really nice looking razor that shaves great. The colors I chose are Bronze and Pale Gold. I also took apart an old razor case and relined it with the felt material he used to wrap my razor in. I have a few more for him, plus a couple that I want done in original plate. I like both styles, custom and original.

 

If I was collecting for myself I would have everything redone in original plating if it needed it for Personal Collection do whatever you like I would redo the Aristocrat in gold . I have an aristocrat and I have a president that were in bad condition as you can see I'm having them redone in gold and the president in nickel and rhodium like its original plating. I also have the original boxes and razor dispensers. I'll post the after photos when I get them back right now Chris at razorplate is booked till September.

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I was also thinking of having a razor done by Razorplate and looking for something on Ebay that will look good in Black Rhodium. Even one of the types you have here would be nice for that. Also, what type of screwdriver or bit did you use to take them apart?

 

These are photos from Captain Murphy he took them apart for me and then shipped them to Chris

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Yeah I remember somewhere it says to turn clockwise. I think I have a bit on an 1/8 bit set that might fit. Adjustable's are ones I won't touch and the ones with a retaining clip might be challenging. There is a video or two on Youtube of someone taking apart Gillettes with the clip.

 

It's one thing to take the Black Beauty apart it's another to put it back together only the crimped end is the challenge it's easier to do on the slim because the Slims crimp is closed to the end of the razor the black beauties is set deeper within the handle the older fat boys are much easier because they just unscrew

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Hello is his Captain Murphy gentleman on this forum?

 

I don't think so. But he is on Badger & Blade another nice shaving forum.

HERM

 

The debate will never end really on what to do with a razor that needs a new finish. We are all forced to come to our own decisions as to what to do with it. However, as much as a persons mileage varies from the rest of us, we all need to consider the following.

Replateing a razor to the original materials, never hurts the razor. An aristocrat that gets replated with gold isn't hurt. But it isn't helped in terms of value. As most collectors can tell if a razor has been used, and a full replate will erase any signs of honest wear. And if a razor has no honest signs of wear, it had better come sealed in the original shipper.

The delta echo thing, they destroy the razor completely with their process. There is no way to remove that finish without completely removing all traces of the razors knurling and detail. The finish I find is ugly as sin, and twice as annoying as getting a telemaketer calling at 2 am every day..

The op question.... the Gillette gold razors after ww2 all had the same finish treatment. nickel plate on the bare brass that was then gold plated.

The cost isn't as bad as most think. Razorplate only charges 30 for the actual gold plate job. the standard nickel is already included as its part of the gold plate process.

 

Funny, I had one done there and it came out great. No loss in knurling detail on the handle. Chris does great work at Razorplate, these are his prices...............

• Complete Razor - Bright Nickel Replating $55 USD*
• Complete Razor - Silver Replating $80 USD*
• Complete Razor - 24k Gold Replating $85 USD*
• Complete Razor - Rose Gold $90 USD*
• Complete Razor - Rhodium Replating $120 USD*
• Complete Razor - Black Rhodium Replating $120 USD*
• Custom Replating - quoted by request
• Razor Head (base plate & top cap) – Bright Nickel Replating $35 USD*
• Handles only – Bright Nickel Replating $30 USD*
• Blade Banks - Bright Nickel Replating $35 USD*
• Razor Head or Handle replating in gold or rhodium can be quoted by request

 

The "value" of a razor is very subjective. When my father died I inherited his Gillette Executive. It had been under the bathroom vanity for several years. The TTO worked fine, but the adjustor ring was frozen. The gold plating was badly worn from years of use. To honor him, I sent it away to have it repaired and re-plated in gold. I know my father would have appreciated this gesture because as a fine craftsman he always took care of his tools. The value of this razor to a "collector" would not be much because it is not in its original condition. To me it is priceless and I would never part with it. It is an heirloom piece that I will pass down to my sons.

There are different types of collectors out there. Some search for items that are in their original packaging, in mint condition. Others, like me, are looking for pieces for my own collection; searching for pieces that have special meaning for me. If you plan to make your '47 Aristocrat into your own private heirloom that you will pass down to your son then plate it to suit your own preference. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks. It's your razor!

 

He is not taking any more work at the moment but I may use him. It all depends on postage costs from the UK really as there is a very competent guy in the UK too who does the same thing.He charges £69 so I guess will have to decide later as he is inundated too.

 

I have only had one razor replated, and it was my NEW SC. I am really glad that I did it too. The gentleman who did it no longer takes replating jobs.

 

Some razors that I like I have had replated, not to increase their value but to make me smile when I look at them. Five of the razors below have been replated by various artisans/caraftsmen. I have another half dozen not in the picture that have been replated, and still more that have moved on.
I did like the Delta Echo Steam Punk look and tried to replicate it in the razor in the back row, second from left - an iKon B1 blade guard, an old Gillette cap, and a Triad copper aristocrat-style handle. I love the look, and it turns out to be a great shaver.


Tom

 

Refinishing anything of *collector value* destroys that item's true value. So unless your razor was owned by President Truman or something, replate it. It's not like it's a Colt Whitneyville Walker.