Be careful. Merkur products use Zamak (Zamac) in the head pieces that does not work well replating. Many razor replaters will not do Zamak razors because the Zinc Pest can build up in the material and when the cleaning acids hit a spot that has turned over time, the base material disintegrates. Discuss this with the person that will do the plating to see if they have experience replating Zamak (Pot Metal). Brass and copper materials do not have this issue, it is only Zamak (Zinc Alloy) that has this issue.
Yes, they are. Coopers are as well. A lot of the vintage and current German made razors used Zamak. Over on the other site, Dave over at West Coast Razors brought this issue up.
Well that sucks....I know the handle is silver but the head looked nickel or something, now I know it is zamac.
They originally plate them with nickel when the Zamak casting is new and the Zinc has not separated from the remaining elements of the alloy. It is when you replate it, the problems begin. Here are some discussions of Zinc Pest. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_pest http://www.trashisfortossers.com/2013/08/zero-waste-shaving.html http://www.modelcollector.co.uk/news/article/dinky-toys-disaster-cracking-up/7906 I am not trying to alarm people but just understand that before you attempt to replate any Zamak razor, get with someone who knows how to properly replate razors and understands what is occurring before you proceed.
The elusive and highly regarded Gillette Bottom Dialer is presented as a holiday gift in photos to the esteemed members of this fine forum! The razor is certainly well-deserved of its reputation. Beautifully crafted tool -- and if only they had continued its manufacture, well then they wouldn't be as scarce. But what a beautiful shaver it is. I've presented the Apollo Ben Hur slant razor but had never before seen the extreme slanted Ben Hur set -- must have been a precursor to the Apollo design. Same patent number but the name "Apollo" doesn't appear on the case or razor. And as you can see the slant is more extreme on this older iteration of this 2-piece razor. Very impressive condition for a zinc/pot metal plated set. Anyone know more about the lineage of these guys? You can see that this is a 2-piece design. Rare among razors -- possibly pioneered by Apollo. This Ben Hur is provides a much more extreme slanted head than the more common (common?!) Apollo Ben Hur. Note the comparison in handle size, design, and head slant/twist.
Jake all those are very sweet! Thanks for posting! Here is a German Kit that allows you to take your razor, clippers, file, tweezer, blades in a zip up case that services as your shoe brush. Pretty neat travel kit. Here is a model from the 1930s.
Vintage NOS (well its not NOS any more,lol) Shakesharpe razor in gold, a very nice razor, has given me several very good irritation free shaves so I cant complain. Vintage Hoffritz slant, mint condition, (Ive not even cleaned it yet, let alone use it)
A very nice 4-piece Apollo Traveler set. And surrounded by its fans. Can you blame them? The highly regarded British Gillette Aristocrat No. 66 set deserves its reputation. Remarkable razor from the 1950s, when the British craftsmen were really demonstrating their skills.
My Gillette NEW. I had it plated with bright nickel. My GEM MM Bullet Tip My Gillette Slim '62 Merkur 37c Slant