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Thread: Chrome plating?

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    Senior Member karlej's Avatar
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    Default Chrome plating?

    Why would a blade be chrome plated? Corrosion resistance? Is there a negitive side effect to chrome plating a blade?

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    I'm on The Straight Road jdto's Avatar
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    I would imagine it would protect the blade, but then again, honing would take off the plating pretty quickly.

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    Senior Member eflatminor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by karlej View Post
    Why would a blade be chrome plated? Corrosion resistance? Is there a negitive side effect to chrome plating a blade?
    I don't think a blade would be. It certainly couldn't hold an edge if it were. Chrome plating is excellent for handles and other non-blade parts because it does resist corrosion and scratches. Hard chrome is even better in that regard and is often used to coat firearms.

    Are you thinking perhaps about a stainless steel razor? While most straight razors are made of carbon steel, there are some very good ones, new and old, that are stainless and they do resist corrosion better than carbon. That said, carbon is not hard to care for as long as you oil it and keep it out of the humidity of the bathroom.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Theseus's Avatar
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    IIRC, there were several if not many companies in the early/mid 20th century that made chrome plated straights. Probably made for corrosion resistance and most definitely as a marketing ploy.

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    Senior Member eflatminor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Theseus View Post
    IIRC, there were several if not many companies in the early/mid 20th century that made chrome plated straights. Probably made for corrosion resistance and most definitely as a marketing ploy.
    I did not know that. Would honing the blade not remove the chrome? Seems odd.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Theseus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by eflatminor View Post
    I did not know that. Would honing the blade not remove the chrome? Seems odd.
    The chrome plating would be gone from the edge first time it was honed. The rest of the blade would still be plated and resistant to stain.

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    Senior Member Jacketch's Avatar
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    I have a Butcher Brothers razor that has a plated blade, either chrome or nickel.


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    Irrelevant stimpy52's Avatar
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    The plating is most likely nickel, and when it's done right, it's beautiful and surprisingly durable. I polished and honed a few Geneva Pyramids which were plated, and they were quite extraordinary.
    Don't get hung up on hanging hairs.

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    Senior Member eflatminor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jacketch View Post
    I have a Butcher Brothers razor that has a plated blade, either chrome or nickel.
    Well dip my butt in buttermilk and call me a liar...

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