Thread: Does Gold Last On Blades

I'm just starting and so far I have only gotten used razors. However, I'm thinking about splurging at some point down the road and getting a brand new razor. It may be a while but I like to plan things out and research as much as I can so it doesn't seem like an impulse buy I really like the look of gold like one of these:

http://vintagebladesllc.com/vshop/xc...132&bestseller

Sure looks good now but will the gold last or does it fade/wear away pretty quickly with regular use? I don't want to have to worry too much of ruining the appearance as I like to use (not abuse) the items I buy.

the gold wears off the spine as you hone it, the wash on the blade surface tends to wear away with cleaning/drying and the gold on the shank wears as the scales rub over it. Gold generaly doesn't lasy (look at pretty much every dubl duck goldedge that actually got used). Gold is also prone to rust, and prone to immediate stripping if you try to clean in with a polish.

Of course there are variations and some goldwash is more durable.

Originally Posted by edk442

the gold wears off the spine as you hone it, the wash on the blade surface tends to wear away with cleaning/drying and the gold on the shank wears as the scales rub over it. Gold generaly doesn't lasy (look at pretty much every dubl duck goldedge that actually got used). Gold is also prone to rust, and prone to immediate stripping if you try to clean in with a polish.

Of course there are variations and some goldwash is more durable.

I thought gold wasn't prone to rust... Gold doesn't oxidize as fast as other metals, which is why jacks plated with gold lasts longer and are considered to be better quality.

Originally Posted by edk442

the gold wears off the spine as you hone it, the wash on the blade surface tends to wear away with cleaning/drying and the gold on the shank wears as the scales rub over it. Gold generaly doesn't lasy (look at pretty much every dubl duck goldedge that actually got used). Gold is also prone to rust, and prone to immediate stripping if you try to clean in with a polish.

Of course there are variations and some goldwash is more durable.

Gold is a fleeting thing, but if you want your drains filled with it, go a head and buy one

Originally Posted by Berticus

I thought gold wasn't prone to rust... Gold doesn't oxidize as fast as other metals, which is why jacks plated with gold lasts longer and are considered to be better quality.

hum i don't know. I've heard it said a few times here by ppl more experienced then myself that rust seems to be attracted to goldwash and my own personal (and limited) experience seems to verify this.

maybe it has something to do with the texture of the gold? kind of like a mirror polished razor is easier to care for than a brushed finish razor. This is sort of my personal belief.

but either way, i stay away from gold. I think of it as decorative (and kinda tacky at that) and a way to needlessly up the price of a razor.

well ya see boys, its like this, gold is really a very tenacious item but the problem is of all the ways of applying gold, wash is the poorest and has the least adhesion to the metal so rust can get under it. If it was electroplated or IP plated it would be much more durable but it ain't. In my book gold washed razors are suitable for display only unless you don't care if it washes off. For a working razor plain is the way to go.

Thanks for the responses. Not what I wanted to hear exactly because I was hoping to hear there was nothing to worry about and it will last longer than I will Oh well, honesty is what is needed here and I do appreciate that. Seems like such a waste to decorate them up like that without using a process that would make it last I'm sure it's a money thing, that's what everything always seems to come back to. Not really into having something to just sit there and look pretty so I guess unless something changes I'll be sticking to non gold razors.