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Post by wchnu on Feb 11, 2012 21:54:14 GMT -6
Seeing that nice new shiny Treet razor brought back a few discussions about replating these old razors. At one time I know there were DE razors on the bay that were being sold as NOS types. I am not sure we have to worry about this with the SE stuff.
My question is what do we as a group think about it. I am not saying anything about or stepping on anyone's toes here. I personally do not like it. Simply because I want to use original razors. I feel that a ugly well worn razor was once a prized possession and that is great to me.
What do y'all think?
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Feb 11, 2012 22:53:52 GMT -6
I understand that position and respect it.
I have 2 lather catchers that I prize. The EverReady is in great shape except for the plating. The plating was put on by the factory to protect the relatively soft brass. I intend to replate it to honor the razor and give it , hopefully, another 100 years of service.
The Kampfe I have I have a more difficult time justifying. It has a bronze (?) spring that holds the spine of the blade. The razor really needs replating, but if I do it will also plate the spring. If I don't the razor will corrode into unuseablity. The razor is just too neat to let that happen to it, but I'm conflicted about the spring lever.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm OK with it if it gives more years of life to the instrument, but have more of a problem if it somehow ruins the original intent of the razor.
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Post by wchnu on Feb 11, 2012 23:10:31 GMT -6
That make it more understandable then for somethings. I agree with that reason for reworking one.
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Post by Alan on Feb 12, 2012 5:37:42 GMT -6
I think in many cases I would not replate, especially if it is a rare model. By doing so you take all the history out of the razor. However, I would replate if it was needed to maintain the razor's usability, as stated above by SD. I would not replate a razor that was just for display in a collection. So, if I had a razor like Tom's Treet, that I really liked and used a lot, I would replate it if it needed it. If I had one of those rarer 1907 lather catchers that spends all it's time in a display case, I would leave it alone.
Just my opinion,
Alan
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Feb 12, 2012 8:30:43 GMT -6
I generally agree with you about replating them. I only have one replated razor and that is a Gillette New that I picked up when I first started out, it had pretty much all of the gold worn off and was flat out butt ugly. I also have a gold Milord that I found for $1 that I may also have done because it's lost a lot of the gold. I just don't see the point in paying to have one of the more common SE's done, because there's so many in good shape still available at reasonable prices.If I had a rare LC or something similar with a lot of the finish missing I probably would because I think excess brassing looks bad. The Treets aren't extremely rare, but they are much less common than the 1912's, and I saw the frame before it was replated and it was nasty. Seeing that nice new shiny Treet razor brought back a few discussions about replating these old razors. At one time I know there were DE razors on the bay that were being sold as NOS types. I am not sure we have to worry about this with the SE stuff. My question is what do we as a group think about it. I am not saying anything about or stepping on anyone's toes here. I personally do not like it. Simply because I want to use original razors. I feel that a ugly well worn razor was once a prized possession and that is great to me. What do y'all think?
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RocketMan
Gem Star
RazorAddict
Welcome To The Sharp Side!
Posts: 4,167
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Post by RocketMan on Feb 12, 2012 12:37:16 GMT -6
I have yet to own a replated razor, but I'm not overly opposed to it. I think like others are saying that if it is a difficult to find item that is a historical item - like the older LCs and harder to find stuff - then I absolutely leave them alone. The cases too - I once put a little shoe polish on a case some years ago and I still feel guilty about it!!! It totally changed the case from an original and interesting item, to a box that just looked like shoe polish. (Like when you see a once lovely antique furniture piece that has been totally redone and quite frankly just ain't the same) I see them on FleaBay kinda regular - you gotta be careful with the GemJr boxes that way - some are stripped of the leather, sanded and even spray painted - ichk. I have a few beat up old razors though that I have been thinking about replating. For example (and forgive me for speaking so rudely) I have some Gillette 1932 Tech fatties that are my go to razor for trying to introduce people to non-cart shaving. They are an easy shaver to learn on and there are truckloads of them out there to be found. The 7 or 8 I have in a box are basically butt ugly and considering their prevalence, therefore virtually worthless. The best thing for them?? Replate and Revive!! I would probably do the same with 1912 heads too - because some of the ones I find in 2nd hand or vintage stores, quite frankly are pretty crappy and will never really get any lovin. I just leave them to die in the store mostly. But, I think if I started a replating regimen I would be saving more of them from the wild. Great thread FuzzMeister (German for King!)
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Post by wchnu on Feb 12, 2012 13:03:06 GMT -6
Thanks for all the thoughts guys. We seem to think alot a like around here. ;D Not sure if that is a good thing or not though come to think of it.
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Possum
Master Shaver
Cast Iron Marsupial
Look out you "Fuzzy" wabbit!
Posts: 1,274
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Post by Possum on Feb 13, 2012 23:37:19 GMT -6
Me I can take it or leave it. I have a few DEs that are tarnished and on the verge of loosing the plating on them. Now they are really old but kinda common. A single ring and a double ring. I may spring for the cost of replating simply to keep them usable.
But for the most part I would not do it if the razor was decent looking. I would not replate. I suppose that some of the replating that is done is so the owner can have a nice shiny looking piece of equipment. Doesn't do diddly squat toward making it shave better.
If I did do a replate on a razor I would someway have it marked by the plater as being a replate. That way there is no question as to what I had done.
So if you are into replating I'm fine with it as long as you acknowledge the replating if you go to sell it or show it off. If you are not into the replating because you love the authentic worn look I like that too!
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