Just a survey for fun! Do you prefer a stainless steel safety razor or brass plated with an aesthetically pleasing finish like chrome? And why? I've never owned a stainless steel razor but I have one on order. First thing I noticed: more costly. Anyway, feel free to comment. Thanks.
All platings are subject to failure, though there are some very old razors in prime condition that could make you think otherwise. I get about 10 years of daily use out of a razor before the plating starts to peel. That's not an issue for stainless steel. Of course, you can still accidentally wack it against the faucet too hard, or drop it, or just decide you want to move on and try something else, so I don't expect a razor to last me forever anyway. Here you can see the plating failures, both on the caps, where the corner radius is tightest. The Futur has something they call brushed chrome. It looks to be a different process, possibly not electroplate, which I hope will turn out to be more durable. But even if it fails in 10 years, the annual amortized cost is less than $7, making it far less than the annual cost of blades or aftershave. You asked which I prefer. I think chrome looks dated and all the fixtures in my house are stainless for that reason. The matte finish on the Futur is very nice.
If I could get an all stainless steel Fatboy I would like that the most. But, since all my favorite razors are all plated brass, well, I guess my answer is plated brass.
If shiny chrome is your preference, the you can have your cake & eat it too. On the left is a polished SS Wolfman. On the right is a chrome plated Merkur Progress. I can't tell any difference in the shine. Some SS razors are going to some sort of coating like the DLC Ikon is using on some of their heads or the black coating Blackbird is using. As BigMike pointed out above, plating will fail over time. IMO, the two big questions in deciding on a SS razor is: A) Is a three piece razor what your after because, to the best of my knowledge, no one makes a one piece TTO razor or an adjustable. (Not counting interchangeable baseplates) and B) Do you want to spend that much on a three piece razor. After all that, I own many of both and can make arguments for them all but if I could only own one razor for the rest of my life it would be a SS. After all, in the end a razor is still a tool & the best tools are machined of SS.
Generally speaking, I like heavier objects, therefore I would take an all stainless steel 3-piece razor if cost was not a consideration. However, someday I hope to splurge and get one. ...Birthdays, Hanukkah and Christmas. Anyone want to adopt me?
I have many of both types of razor and must say that all of my favorites are modern stainless steel. Although the price difference is definitely something to consider, I wish Weber hadn't stopped making their razor it was my recommendation to anyone who asked, all stainless $70.
I prefer to have a larger collection of non-stainless razors as opposed to a small collection of stainless.
Brass and nickle in the vintage Gillette razors. 50 - 60 years old and still look and shave line a million bucks.
I like all stainless. I like the weight of stainless and that there is no plating. I have tried a couple of vintage razors and I don't enjoy them nearly as much as my stainless steel razors.
Yes. Below are 4 vintage brass/nickel single edge razors with modern stainless steel handles. The best of both worlds. --Bob
I think all this plating argument is a moot point? Does a shaving razor have to last more than 2 lifetimes? Really? Who knows what shaving will be like in 100 years? I think any good quality razor available today is fine and there are so many to experience. So many to enjoy for hobby obsessives. Like me! Let's go with that and forget about the gloriouosity of Stainless steel, Titanium, Gold and the Holy Grail?? If you can afford them fine! But, Concentrate on shaving and technique and skill!! After all that always seems to be the bottom line??? IMHO, of course and YMMV.
I have several all stainless razors, and several all brass legacy razors. I also have a few razors I really enjoy that are in current production. I love my Mühle R41 and it is plated zamak -- that's fine. My Merkur 37C is a joy to shave with, and if the plating fails and the head begins to dissolve after a decade, I'll buy another one -- my grandkids will have to buy their own razors. I have seriously considered getting some of my lovely old Gillettes re-plated -- I think rhodium looks magnificent! But then I look at the Delta Echo razors and have second thoughts. Those guys sure offer some superb razors!
Yeah I was thinking rhodium but on my Fatboy Slim & super adjustable I think I'm going to go with the original nickel plating
I am seeing some persons say that SS is heavier, but a Nickle plated brass is heavier than SS. Greg W.
"Does a shaving razor have to last more than 2 lifetimes?" I hope so, 'cuz all of mine are going to my three grandsons.
