samson
SE Super Freak
Posts: 46
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Post by samson on Jun 1, 2019 12:24:39 GMT -6
I scored a lovely Henckels Rapide set from someone I know, complete with strop and five blades. Everything is in excellent condition save for the gunmetal gray tarnish the whole razor had taken on.
So I've been doing research, asking around on how to remove the tarnish safely. I was recommended metal polish, toothpaste, soap, etc. After some time I decided to go with the aluminum/baking soda method as it seemed like is was the safest option (this is what the internet told me at least) and I remember reading about it from others who used it to clean their Rapide razors.
Cleaned the razor first with soap and water. I then used hot water (not boiling), added baking soda, and I waited. Razor wasn't in there for more than a minute and this process chewed straight to the brass in many areas, predominantly the head. What's interesting is that in some places, the tarnish didn't even come off.
So I'm now left with a Rapide that's brass, silver, and gunmental gray in all sorts of places. Really sucks, I'm a perfectionist about such things and I've been wanting a full set Henckels for a LONG time. The razor looked better in one shade of gunmetal gray than it does right now.
Any thought's on getting this replated (if at all possible)?
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rayr
Blade King
Posts: 427
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Post by rayr on Jun 1, 2019 13:47:31 GMT -6
Doesn't sound like you had much silver plate left to begin with since just removing the tarnish layer took it down to the brass. Silver is a soft metal and since its highly reactive it's not an ideal metal for plating a razor unless it was plated pretty heavy. Between the issues of general wear and oxidation I guess that's why you didn't see silver used much on razors past the early decades of the 20th Century. You might want to inquire around as to who does silver replating or look into having it replated in a more durable metal like bright nickel or rhodium. Razor Emporium and Back Roads Gold does nickel and rhodium plating but not silver that I'm aware of.
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samson
SE Super Freak
Posts: 46
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Post by samson on Jun 1, 2019 13:51:29 GMT -6
Thanks rayr.
I'm not well versed as to what constitutes a durable/softer metal vs others, but I do know silver is usually softer. I'll look into rhodium and you're right, it seems like there wasn't much plating to begin with since it stripped it down to the brass very quickly and I know others who have used this process on their Henckel's with great success.
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rayr
Blade King
Posts: 427
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Post by rayr on Jun 1, 2019 14:12:24 GMT -6
Thanks rayr. I'm not well versed as to what constitutes a durable/softer metal vs others, but I do know silver is usually softer. I'll look into rhodium and you're right, it seems like there wasn't much plating to begin with since it stripped it down to the brass very quickly and I know others who have used this process on their Henckel's with great success. Silver is like gold, a very soft precious metal that will wear much more quickly where there is abrasion like in shaving. Razor makers didn't generally plate razors very thickly, they weren't making fine jewelry after all and weren't thinking that crazy people like us would still be using them in the distant future. Harder metals like nickel and chrome are more durable but they will even wear down over time if the plating wasn't put down very thick. Rhodium is a very hard metal but the cost of plating in that metal is very similar to 24 caret gold.
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Post by jayaruh on Jun 1, 2019 14:53:48 GMT -6
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TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
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Post by TobyC on Jun 1, 2019 16:27:51 GMT -6
I'm surprised the brass was affected!
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samson
SE Super Freak
Posts: 46
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Post by samson on Jun 1, 2019 19:03:03 GMT -6
Thank you all for the tips!
rayr, I'm looking into rhodium but you are correct, it is expensive. One website is quoting $140 + shipping, Razor Emporium is quoting $180.
Jim, I'll look into SportShaving! Just a quick browse of the website and it seems like they're very knowledgeable and charging a good amount less than some other places I've seen. I'm seeing about $70 for rhodium, half that of all the other places I've seen.
Toby, thankfully the brass wasn't damaged in anyway but in literally seconds it went from tarnish to silver and then brass, predominantly in the head of the razor.
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mrconklin
Lather Catcher
First to Break One
Posts: 725
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Post by mrconklin on Jun 1, 2019 22:16:42 GMT -6
Thanks jayaruh for mentioning sportshaving. I like me Gem Junior so much I may have it replated someday.
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