Post by SharpSpine on Apr 16, 2014 16:58:04 GMT -6
Above you can see the very first razor that helped me to see just how enjoyable shaving could be. I started traditional shaving the way most of us do with a double edge razor (Merkur 23C) and a sampling of blades. While I was enjoying the morning chore of shaving with the brush and soap, I still wasn't getting the phenomenal results that I kept reading about on the forums. Then one fateful day while looking in a local antique store I found my shaving salvation in the form of a GEM Clog Pruf Micromatic razor. I immediately loved the looks of it and couldn't wait to get it cleaned up and to pick up some blades for it. My very first use of it was the "a-ha" or "lightbulb" moment. I may have even exclaimed "Eureka"!
I've been on a Single Edge razor journey ever since. Sure I still thought that I could get the same joy out of a DE and I tried desperately, however, it was simply not to be. I'm a SE guy through and through. But there are so many SEs out there that I needed to try and my humble Clog Pruf was set aside for the flashier razors such as it's predecessor the OCMM, the vaunted Streamline, and the modern marvel Cobra Classic. After a long trip with the EverReady 1914 to celebrate its centennial, I felt like I should re-visit the razor that started it all for me.
The return visit to the Clog Pruf was like seeing a childhood best friend with whom you can pick up like you just saw them yesterday even though it's been decades since your last visit. I immediately started feeling that Goldilocks feeling that I most recently had with the EverReady 1914. The difference here is that this razor is a much better fit for my hand and better balanced. So while my shave results are very similar between the ER 1914 and the GEM Clog Pruf, I was enjoying the Clog Pruf more.
Then one day as I was cleaning up after my shave I wiped down this brassy beauty and noticed that the towel picked up some of the brass coloring from the razor. This concerned me as I didn't want to possibly see this razor corrode after how much it has done for me. She deserved some tender loving care. The timing was perfect as someone in a shaving group mentioned that a friend of his replates razors. I asked for his friend's contact information and inquired about what my options were for taking care of my Clog Pruf.
This is how I met Chris Evatt of RazorPlate (www.razorplate.com -- not active just yet). Chris was very quick with replying to my messages and thoroughly answered all of my questions about what the process involved. From all of the information he gave me I decided that he was the man for this job. I sent the razor to him in North Carolina. I asked him to clean up the Clog Pruf all the way to the point of plating it. I was considering keeping this razor in its brassy glory, but I wanted to see what that would look like first. So once he had the razor and got it all cleaned up, buffed, and polished to the point that it was ready to be plated he sent me a few pictures.
Boy, oh boy, did she shine up nicely. I couldn't believe that this was the same razor. I was very tempted to leave her just as she looks here. However, along with these pictures Chris gave me a thorough report on all that he found going on with my razor...
"There are a some very minor, pitted areas on the door, but no big deal. There are some fleabites in the knurled part of the handle. Again, nothing unusual for a razor of this age. Unfortunately, fleabites and pits are the result of oxidation of the base metal. More-or-less, the brass equivalents of rust pits in steel. The only way to address pits is to remove metal to lower the rest of the surface to the level of the pits. In this case, that is not advisable because doing so would ruin the appearance of your razor (level-out the handle knurling and could affect the geometry of your door)."
"I am my own worst critic. I just believe in shedding light on areas that I notice - even though a customer may not notice them. Also, all of my photos are done in a light box under macro, which is very unforgiving. Any flaws (even those not visible to the naked eye) are evident. It is the best way to inspect a razor."
"All of that having been said, I think your razor looks fantastic. It is definitely the best condition Gem that I have worked on. It would be beautiful left as is. It would be stunning if replated in a fresh coat of nickel. The nickel would also put a stop to the oxidative process that has caused the very minor fleabites (of which there are so few, that probably should not even be mentioned!)"
"I am my own worst critic. I just believe in shedding light on areas that I notice - even though a customer may not notice them. Also, all of my photos are done in a light box under macro, which is very unforgiving. Any flaws (even those not visible to the naked eye) are evident. It is the best way to inspect a razor."
"All of that having been said, I think your razor looks fantastic. It is definitely the best condition Gem that I have worked on. It would be beautiful left as is. It would be stunning if replated in a fresh coat of nickel. The nickel would also put a stop to the oxidative process that has caused the very minor fleabites (of which there are so few, that probably should not even be mentioned!)"
With the pictures and his assessment on the condition of my Clog Pruf I decided to go for the nickel replate. Below you can see his final pictures that he sent me. Currently I have received shipment notification and I look forward to holding and using my "new" Clog Pruf in the very near future. I will update this thread with pictures of my own once I can.
I am beyond satisfied with the level of customer service from Chris. He told me a lot of how he operates and I'd like to share that information with you. All work is done by him. You do not have to worry about your razor being shipped to different vendors to handle the different aspects from cleaning and buffing to the actual dipping into the new metal. I liked this a lot as I've heard some horror stories of people sending in razors to be refurbished and/or replated only to have them lost. The fewer people involved the better in my opinion. Please allow me to share the basic information on his services below. I highly recommend that you consider Chris and RazorPlate for your next replate.
Company: RazorPlate
Website: www.razorplate.com (not active just yet, hopefully in a week or two)
Email: cevatt@triad.rr.com (current); chris@razorplate.com (once website is active)
Plating options: Bright Nickel only (no gold, chrome, or rhodium)
Price: $35 per razor, including return CONUS shipping
Volume discount: 10% off for 2 or more razors on the same work order
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