I'm not liking my razor with gold wash

I am very new to straight razor shaving and I have a dovo forestal. It is absolutely beautiful and I like the look very very much but I find I get paranoid over the gold wash. I detest wiping the blade and as a beginner, I don't want to be responsible for ruining such a beautiful razor in my opinion. It is enough that I'm probably going to sell my razor and use the money on another razor without gold wash. I'll probably get a boker edelweiss or 6/8 silver steel to ease my mind and not worry about polishing or wiping it. What is your experience with gold wash razors and do you like them?

Gold wash is very fragile and does not last. I think it was originally for show pieces that people were not actually going to use. It comes off from stropping and handling. I bought one razor with gold wash and have avoided them ever since. On the face of the blade it stands a better chance but is still easy to wipe out.

Another way to look at it is when/if the gold wash disappears from wiping the blade down then you'll have nothing to worry about. Until then you get to enjoy the gold wash and save the effort of selling the razor and buying another plain one to replace it.

Bob

I agree with BobH, just use it and don't worry about it. When the gold wash comes off you will have what you are going to buy. Just enjoy what you have.:gl:

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Originally Posted by BobH

Another way to look at it is when/if the gold wash disappears from wiping the blade down then you'll have nothing to worry about. Until then you get to enjoy the gold wash and save the effort of selling the razor and buying another plain one to replace it.

Bob

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Bob is 100% correct! If it shaves like a champ just use it until the wash is gone and then it will be as if it never existed. I think it is for looks and never intended as permanent given what it takes to maintain a razor and to hone one periodically.

But if it is driving you nuts then by all means I would get rid of it. I however would buy one with gold wash knowing it would soon disappear.

You could send it off to be wiped and polished off then when you get it back start as if new!!!!

Just get sone metal polish and get rid of it. Tc

Look at it this way ....many years from now,you'll be long dead and molderin and some young guy will find your razor in an antique store with the gold wash all gone and probably a few slight pits. He'll say hey! That's cool looking . He'll buy it take it home and fix it up and think to himself "wonder who the fella was that used this cool old vintage razor...so see, it won't matter in the great cosmic scheme O things .:) Use it and enjoy !!

Gold Wash is great for a Sunday Shaver. For a daily shaver I'll take mine unadorned.

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Originally Posted by Ponypox

I am very new to straight razor shaving and I have a dovo forestal. It is absolutely beautiful and I like the look very very much but I find I get paranoid over the gold wash. I detest wiping the blade and as a beginner, I don't want to be responsible for ruining such a beautiful razor in my opinion.

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I don't really love it, but .......... all of these razors are old. Some pre WWII, the Fritz Bracht Dovos, the Carbo Magnetic, the Boker, some from the fifties, sixties, and the TI are from the early 2000s. Had them all for years and never a problem with the goldwash. Just wipe with a tissue after you rinse.

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Show Off !!! :rofl2:

I agree with everything said here. It's nice when it's new, but it's a pain in the patootie the rest of it's lifespan.. Enjoy it while it lasts, and then just enjoy the freedom of not having it!

Thanks for the replies guys. Does gold wash leave an etching in the steel when the gold is wiped off?

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Originally Posted by Ponypox

Thanks for the replies guys. Does gold wash leave an etching in the steel when the gold is wiped off?

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No it doesn't IME. Of course any etching done is done, but the gold wash just wears off. As I showed in those old razors, it is delicate, but not like walking on eggs. Just don't use harsh cleaners, pastes. Keep it clean and dry, away from moist environments when not in use and you should have grey hair by the time it wears off ....... unless you already have grey hair ....... then disregard the last comment. :)

A little off topic but I just noticed the boker edelweiss looks like it has no jimps. Does it make a razor like that hard to hold?

Also does etching like on the edelweiss wipe off like gold wash if you use metal polish like Maas?

anything that polished would eventually wear it off. i have never used any polish(i use Mothers) after the initial cleaning and restoration. i would think it would be a very slow process if all you do is wipe it with a towel or TP. probably won't even notice till it's gone (or will have forgotten about the worry by then).

I prefer razors to have jimps but also use those without jimps. Those without jimps I prefer that that tang be thick. In use I have not really noticed a great difference. Maybe if your hands or tang get wet and soapy when shaving it may make a difference. I keep my hands dry and rarely get soap in the tang when shaving.

You can remove the gold or light etching like the Boker Edelweiss has very quickly using a light metal polish like Mass, Mothers and Flitz etc. Been there done that.

Bob

Thanks for all the replies. I apologize for all my question asking but does the etching on the edelweiss eventually wear off overtime like goldwash? It looks to me like its there to last. Does it need to be babied or is it different? Im considering it as an everyday razor. Thanks.

If a razor with an etching is put on a buffer with polishing pastes, or thrown in a tumbler with polishing media it might take the etching down some. Rubbing maas or semichrome &tc on it with a paper towel wouldn't take it off in 100 years IME. I like jimps too, but plenty of razors don't have them. I don't think any of the dubl duck razors had jimps. So 'good' razors might or might not have them.