Thread: plated blades

Got a Geneva Cutlery Inc that looks like it's blade has chrome plating on it. Was this common? Any concerns with honing etc to avoid the plating flaking off?

I am no metalurgist but I would think the heat required to plate a razor as thin as they are, would affect the heat treating of it. Mack

Without a photo, I just don't believe you!

Actually, I'm just interested. Post one for me, please, if you can. I'd like to see it.

I know for sure that my Genco (a B2) was not plated.

I have several razors like this and it is nickel plating. It is hard to find one with it completely intact.

Originally Posted by Aquanin

I have several razors like this and it is nickel plating. It is hard to find one with it completely intact.

I concure - it is nickle plating.

here`s a pic. Can`t really tell from the pic tho. The plating is fully intact and the blade has virtuallly no wear, but the finish looks a little rippled on the tang which is what makes me think its plated (and its shinier than it should be) Actually, I am kinda puzzled about this razor in general, as it looks like the scales have been removed (the pin at the pivot looks worked on) and the scales seem a little long for the blade ( lots of clearance at the tip). If you have one can you tell me if the scales look like the originals. It seems odd that the blade has no wear but the scales would have had to be replaced.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by dgstr8

here`s a pic. Can`t really tell from the pic tho. The plating is fully intact and the blade has virtuallly no wear, but the finish looks a little rippled on the tang which is what makes me think its plated (and its shinier than it should be) Actually, I am kinda puzzled about this razor in general, as it looks like the scales have been removed (the pin at the pivot looks worked on) and the scales seem a little long for the blade ( lots of clearance at the tip). If you have one can you tell me if the scales look like the originals. It seems odd that the blade has no wear but the scales would have had to be replaced.
Thanks.

I made the mistake of trying to polish one that had the nickle lifting off of the steel. Not only did it not help that problem but the nickle is so soft compared to the steel I couldn't get the scratches to stop with the tools and equipment I had at the time. the nickle has a slightly yellow color to it when compared to the whiteness of the steel. It is just a pale tinge but none the less there.

Didn't someone post scans of a barbering book that explained that some of the razors sold to the public had a nickel coating on it and that it was the author's experience that these took a poor hone if at all after it left the factory? Unless the author of the book is trying to skew the thinking of would-be barbers into believing that their razors are magically better than those available at the time through the Sears & Roebuck catalog

Seems kinda goofy to me. Plating would cost $, compared to plain old carbon steel, so they would probably have considered it an "enhancement" to prevent rust or some such thing. Well, its not rusty... Still wondering about the scales too...