Ok to buy a razor with plating loss on head?

Some of my most used vintage razors have little or no plating left. They shave just as well as the ones with good plating, so the razors with good plating just get stored.

 

You could always polish it and wax it with car wax, if you wanted. I have one pre 51 fat handled Tech that has no plating on the head, either. It shaves as well as the others I have.

 

While picking up a vintage razor with some plate loss isn't an issue, be careful if you are looking at a more modern one with plate loss.

The current Merkur (and many others) are made of Zamak, a zinc alloy, that degrades quickly once the plating has been compromised.

 

Sadly too true!

 

Zamak, zink alloy, ha! It's pot metal! Useless material. Might as well use packed dirt! Unless of course, you're a GM design engineer.

 

Sadly too true on both counts (pot metal and GM)!

 

This also applies to Japanese cars from the mid 80's too, unfortunately... My poor MR2