Thread: Clauss blade plated?

I have a Clauss razor marked Fremont, Ohio and was surprised to find what I think is some plating on the top of the tang that has flaked off the blade. Are all of the Clauss blades plated or was this a budget model? I guess I was of the assumption that all blades were a single billet of steel, shaped, then polished to a finish....but I never thought parts of the blade were plated? Or is this perhaps where some surface rust had developed and that rust was removed by a previous owner and it now just looks like a spot where plating fell off?

Also....was Fremont, Ohio a city known for razor making? It seems there are a decent number of them out there.

bill

There are some blades that are plated. Pretty sure chrome was the metal of choice. I have seen plated Geneva's and plated Clauss's too. I think I have seen others, but can't remember off the top of my head. IIRC, some of the Clauss USMC blades were plated for added corrosion resistance, to meet the needs of those to whom they were issued.

I've always wondered, as I've owned several Genevas that were clearly plated. Older threads suggest nickel, and that makes sense. It polishes like chrome. Geneva Pyramids plated like that are surprisingly durable.

The "Standardized Barber's Manual" of 1928 suggests that plated blades should be avoided: "The nickel finish should always be avoided, as it is impossible to re-hone a nickeled blade. This is the finish that you frequently see on hardware razors and the cheaper grades that are made for looks rather than service." I have a number of Clauss blades that are good shavers, but none of them are plated. Good luck!

Regards - Walt

My clauss was a royal pain in the arse to hone and the steel was very strange, this post makes me wonder...

If you get a clauss, send it for honing, they're very nice.

I have quite a few Clausses, they are among my favorites, and have also wondered about them being plated, as a few clearly seem to be...anyway around restoring these things? I'm also thinking, that the ones I own that are plated are later models, when it was Clauss Shearworks?

The older plating methods weren't like the ones we have now and the process wasn't all that durable. Instead of worrying abot typical razor steel rusting it becomes a matter of the plating starting to pit and come off in areas. I guess when new it looked very nice and was probably faster than mirror polishing a blade.

The USMC's are definitely plated for the added protection, especially in the tropics. I have one and Lynn managed to put a great edge on it (contrary to some opinions that plated blades can't be honed).

Originally Posted by WineGuyD

The USMC's are definitely plated for the added protection, especially in the tropics. I have one and Lynn managed to put a great edge on it (contrary to some opinions that plated blades can't be honed).

+1 with emphasis.