Chrome Dipped resto??

Hey guys...
There is an antique store that I frequent and one of the vendors has a few nice pieces that are priced within reason. They are cleaned and restored, but there is a thing that I notice which always makes me walk away. Any pitting (and etching) has a mirror finish over it!

It's like the blade was chrome dipped, and whatever imperfections are covered up but still noticeable as 'depressions' in the reflective finish. Its kinda hard to describe and no, i don't have pictures. Has anyone else seen this? Is this a common practice?

Likely overbuffed into oblivion.
As those obsessed with the buffer lay it hard to pitted blades, the pits become wider and eventually are shiny craters with smooth edges.

It has just had the bejeebers buffed out of it. There are a few sellers on eBay, and one of them from Ontario that have crazy over buffed razors. It always makes me concerned for the overheating and ruining of the temper. It your goal is to make the entire razor super shiny with no regard to anything else, it is not my thing. I don't like them like that.

Whats up with those Ontario guys? :roflmao

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Whats up with those Ontario guys? :roflmao

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Hey!!

Some of us are still fighting the good fight, resisting the evil temptation of the buffer and <gasp!> dremel, and letting patina be patina!

:)

Amen..there's a place for shiny, and a place for patina..

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Whats up with those Ontario guys? :roflmao

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That brought them out of the woodwork!

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Originally Posted by RezDog

That brought them out of the woodwork!

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Didn't it now? :rofl2:

I had a buyer pick up 2 of my razors.... leaves me no feedback.... sends me a message, the blade I sold "needs restored with no returns.... and I quote... "wont hold an edge"

To prevent myself from getting a negative feedback, I had him return it for a full refund. Inspection shows that he had ground the bejeebus out of it to remove pitting, leaving the blade so think it flexed, not to mention the tip had been ground down to hide where he had actually gone THROUGH the steel, and the tell tale "yellow" discoloration. And this guy sells shiny refurb razors on the bay all the time. Shiny pits, are still pits, and destroying a razor to try and hide them seems to be a common theme these days, and a leading cause of my no longer buying much. I'm far more likely to buy something with a little rust than I am anything thats been cleaned.

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Originally Posted by MikeB52

Amen..there's a place for shiny, and a place for patina..

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I've dabbled in restoring blades. I've 'chased' pits before but learned that sometimes it's not worth it. I use sand paper by hand and the cramping usually tells me when enough is enough.

I don't have a slow speed buffer so i'm usually paranoid taking the blades to the wheel. Haven't burned a blade yet. I'm glad i got that gut feeling when I saw those blades and walked away. In retrospect, i'm now kinda bummed that those blades were treated that way.

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Originally Posted by rickpalisoc

I've dabbled in restoring blades. I've 'chased' pits before but learned that sometimes it's not worth it. I use sand paper by hand and the cramping usually tells me when enough is enough.

I don't have a slow speed buffer so i'm usually paranoid taking the blades to the wheel. Haven't burned a blade yet. I'm glad i got that gut feeling when I saw those blades and walked away. In retrospect, i'm now kinda bummed that those blades were treated that way.

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While its a bummer the blades were treated that way, the bigger bummer would have been if you had been burned on a burned razor!

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Originally Posted by Magpie

While its a bummer the blades were treated that way, the bigger bummer would have been if you had been burned on a burned razor!

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burn on the poor sucker that does buy.

Rickpalisoc,
There has been some chromed razors showing up as of late. Seems there is a person doing restores on Ebay that is chroming razors. This is not good. They are just covering over the flaws and blindsiding clients. I have had some of these sent to me for honing. In times they start to rust under the coating. It's a shame whoever is doing this, is giving the industry of restoration a bad name. I have seen some of the amazing work you guys put out, and then there has to be one bad apple selling garbage.

Most people who buy antiques want them "as is" with no resto work.

It is very simple. A lot of good antiques are ruined by amateur restorers.

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Originally Posted by rolodave

Most people who buy antiques want them "as is" with no resto work.

It is very simple. A lot of good antiques are ruined by amateur restorers.

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I totally agree. $10 bucks is not going to get you an amazing razors, or even $50.

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Originally Posted by ClassicEdge

I totally agree. $10 bucks is not going to get you an amazing razors, or even $50.

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There are bargains out there. You just need the eye and persistance

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Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

There are bargains out there. You just need the eye and persistance

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And spies :rofl2:

No there really are some real good deals out there for sure. You just have to accept rust sometimes.

There is room for power tools in restoration, but only in experienced hands. Other than that, in my opinion, working by hand is the way to go.
It is much less likely to go too far and ruin an otherwise awesome razor.
As to shiny or not........well that's an individual preference. I think some look better with a shine than others