Replate a 120-old razor?

[riverrun]

Replate a vintage razor? I think yes, if it is in bad enough shape.

Here are three views of a GEM “Z”. Patent date of 1901.

On the left: when I bought it. A hopeless case 
In the middle: after I cleaned it myself. Hours of work. Slight improvement.
On the right: I just got it back from replating.



I'm pleased. There are other hopeless cases in my small collection.
Did I ruin it for other collectors? 
I don't care. Its sole purpose now is to give ME joy. And that it does.

[GAW9576]

Replate a vintage razor? I think yes, if it is in bad enough shape.

Here are three views of a GEM “Z”. Patent date of 1901.

On the left: when I bought it. A hopeless case 
In the middle: after I cleaned it myself. Hours of work. Slight improvement.
On the right: I just got it back from replating.



I'm pleased. There are other hopeless cases in my small collection.
Did I ruin it for other collectors? 
I don't care. Its sole purpose now is to give ME joy. And that it does.

Oh no you removed the beautiful patina and destroyed its value. Just kidding that looks fantastic! 

[Jayaruh]

Well, I like it. I have an old Ever-Ready lather catcher that could use a nice refresh like that.

[Dave in KY]

Replate a vintage razor? I think yes, if it is in bad enough shape.

Here are three views of a GEM “Z”. Patent date of 1901.

On the left: when I bought it. A hopeless case 
In the middle: after I cleaned it myself. Hours of work. Slight improvement.
On the right: I just got it back from replating.



I'm pleased. There are other hopeless cases in my small collection.
Did I ruin it for other collectors? 
I don't care. Its sole purpose now is to give ME joy. And that it does.

Looks great and I agree with your thoughts 100% especially what it's "sole purpose" is now ! Who did the replate for you ?

[Whiterook]

Personally, I would have been happy with the cleaned up razor, but I don't mind some signs of honest wear on my collectibles. The replate is fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate to replate if the wear was beyond my tolerance.

[riverrun]

Who did the replate for you ?

We now finally have a guy in the UK who replates razors. Goes by the name of "J J Shaves". He's also on YouTube.
I have two of those GEM Z razors and this one was in worse condition.
I didn't pay much for the razor, so I thought I'd risk it and see what he can do.
He does it quickly, for a reasonable price and communication is great (he sent me a video showing off the razor when he was done).
I'm pleased with the results.

What next?
I have three Kampfe HR-14, two of them in, let's be polite, less than perfect condition. The other one is almost perfect.

Also, I'm now more willing to get lather catchers in bad condition for little money as I know how to get them shiny.
Pay $20 for a battered old razor, the same again for replating and voila! - a razor I'd have to pay over $100 for.

I'm off to do some browsing on eBay... 

[Dave in KY]

Who did the replate for you ?

We now finally have a guy in the UK who replates razors. Goes by the name of "J J Shaves". He's also on YouTube.
I have two of those GEM Z razors and this one was in worse condition.
I didn't pay much for the razor, so I thought I'd risk it and see what he can do.
He does it quickly, for a reasonable price and communication is great (he sent me a video showing off the razor when he was done).
I'm pleased with the results.

What next?
I have three Kampfe HR-14, two of them in, let's be polite, less than perfect condition. The other one is almost perfect.

Also, I'm now more willing to get lather catchers in bad condition for little money as I know how to get them shiny.
Pay $20 for a battered old razor, the same again for replating and voila! - a razor I'd have to pay over $100 for.

I'm off to do some browsing on eBay... 

Cool and Congrats. I assume it's "John June" Youtube channel ?

[GAW9576]

Who did the replate for you ?

We now finally have a guy in the UK who replates razors. Goes by the name of "J J Shaves". He's also on YouTube.
I have two of those GEM Z razors and this one was in worse condition.
I didn't pay much for the razor, so I thought I'd risk it and see what he can do.
He does it quickly, for a reasonable price and communication is great (he sent me a video showing off the razor when he was done).
I'm pleased with the results.

What next?
I have three Kampfe HR-14, two of them in, let's be polite, less than perfect condition. The other one is almost perfect.

Also, I'm now more willing to get lather catchers in bad condition for little money as I know how to get them shiny.
Pay $20 for a battered old razor, the same again for replating and voila! - a razor I'd have to pay over $100 for.

I'm off to do some browsing on eBay... 

That is awesome. Happy hunting.

[Wchnu]

Ehhhh no. Replating is not my thing. That being said if you like it then it’s great. It does look pretty! As long as someone is not trying to pass off a replate as original to each his own.

[twhite]

Very nice results. At the end of the day it is what you want to do to your razor.

I think you chose wisely.