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Replating and Restoration
of Vintage Safety Razors
When I began collecting vintage razors, I often came across examples that were in really poor condition with the original plating worn through, or the adjustment mechanism seized up. Being an engineer, I naturally though that there must be a way to fix these, so I looked around for companies that did Nickel and Gold Plating, but quickly found that most were too expensive, or the results were just not up to scratch.
So, I decided to invest in my own plating facilities and bought chemical stripping equipment, buffing and polishing wheels and an electroplating tank and heaters etc. It took me a while and a few ruined razors, but soon I got a decent result and the more I did, the better the result became until I managed to get this sort of finish:
You can probably tell which is the BEFORE and AFTER from the images below :-) This example of a Gillette 'New' from 1930s was in a particularly bad shape with most of the plating worn away and a bad case of green oxidisation. If left untreaded this would only get worse and the razor would become so pitted as to be unusable (as well as unsanitory)!
Replating is carried out to the original specification and at present, we can do Nickel plating only (most razors prior to 1980s were Nickel and not Chrome Plated)
Some people are of the opinion that a replated razor isn't 'original' any longer. My view is that I'd much rather have a razor that is usable, sanitary and looking fantastic rather than something green with oxidisation and impossible to keep sterile. If a razor is of collectable quality it will be in original box and certainly won't need replating anyway!
The plating is to original specification, so it's virtually impossible to tell the difference between a mint original and a replated example. It may also interest some to know that Gillette actually outsourced much of their plating of razors anyway! We always specify when a razor has been replated though.
If you have a vintage razor that won't adjust properly, we can pobably get it working properly too as we've developed some tools along the way
The Super Speed above has a 'dropped' TTO knob and won't open and close the razor properly
Our 'special' tool in action
Here's the Super Speed (which has also been replated) working as good as new.
Cost to strip old plating, polish and replate in bright nickel is £15 or $20 plus return postage, it should be possible to replate any 3-piece, Adjustable or single-edge razor and we've done most models over the years from Gem and Ever-Ready to Gillette - we've even replated a vintage Wine Funnel!
If you want to send a razor for replating, drop us an email first and let us know what you are planning, then if it's possible to replate your razor, just send it with a short note (with your return postal address) to the address on the contact page - Be sure to use the second address (66 Bellerby Drive) for replating services and for email enquiries about replating contact dave@restoredrazors.com
If your razor is particularly rare or of sentimental value, be sure to send it by Recorded Delivery for safety.
We only request payment once the razor(s) is all ready to return to you and you can pay by cheque or Paypal.