DE Question

OK I looked around quite a bit before asking and I know this is The Straight Razor Place and all but I can't find much in the way of information on DE razors. Am I just missing a sub forum somewhere or are they just mixed in with every thing.
I have a Gillette ajustable from 1973 and the finish is not bad but not great. it's in very good working order though. I'm thinking of taking it to a jeweler to see if they could re-plate it but I would want to do the disassembly and cleanup then also do the reassembly if i'm going to have it done. I just don't know what is involved in doing this and how hard they are to put back together. Any help would be appreciated.

There's a guy who restores these and sells them on eBay under the name "cedarfurnitureman" -- I think his first name is Quinton. Anyway, he is a member here and a really, really good person to deal with. If you wrote a message to him, I'm sure he would respond. You might even be able to pay him to restore and replate the razor for you. Good luck!

I know of a company which replates razors to a high standard, but the bad news is that it's on the wrong side of the Atlantic for you. If all else fails, PM me for details. I've just tried and failed to find a picture of a newly gold plated Fatboy which was posted on another forum, but it was immaculate.

Aha: found it.

Thank you for the tip I'll contact cedarfurnitureman about his service. but I saw a company online and they charged nearly 3 times what i payed for the razor to strip and refinish a razor like this. So I was hoping to do the majority of the work myself to save the money.
If any one knows where to find a PDF or something like that, that shows how to disassemble them that would be cool.

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Originally Posted by gandrw

OK I looked around quite a bit before asking and I know this is The Straight Razor Place and all but I can't find much in the way of information on DE razors. Am I just missing a sub forum somewhere or are they just mixed in with every thing.
I have a Gillette ajustable from 1973 and the finish is not bad but not great. it's in very good working order though. I'm thinking of taking it to a jeweler to see if they could re-plate it but I would want to do the disassembly and cleanup then also do the reassembly if i'm going to have it done. I just don't know what is involved in doing this and how hard they are to put back together. Any help would be appreciated.

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Hi there,

Yeah, you're right about there not being all that much about DE razors here. The DE forum part is a fairly recent invention, and is a sorta token thing......heh.

You have a slim, which is a well respected razor and a favorite of many. It's also a very common piece and available for a decent price. Unless this razor's an heirloom or something, I wouldn't suggest it as a candidate for replating. That process would be reserved for a more unusual type in most cases.

You'll find slims ranging from $20 in good condition to maybe $40-50 in excellent shape with all black numbers. Oh, for your slim to be made in 1973, there would have to be a 'T' underneath the head. That's the letter for 1973, and I can't recall ever seeing a slim with that late of a date. Could it maybe be an 'I'? That would make it 1963.

Directions for taking one apart may be difficult to find. I know there's instructions for doing that with a fatboy, which is the previous model before the slim. No idea if that would work on your piece. You can search over at the Badger and Blade site to find that info. There's also some info on various members who do DE replating and pics of the results.

Hope that helps,

Martin

gandrw,

Quite frankly the razor in your photos looks just fine to me. The plating may be worn, but it is not evident in the photos. Given the prices quoted by De layne, you may want to just useit as is. Perhaps you can check an Ebay seller such as cedarfurnitureman, and find another Slim that is in even better condition or has already been restored.

Just my 2 cents.

Yeah I just figured it would be a nice project and If I can find the means to do the disassembly and prep I would check the price of black titanium plating at a local jeweler before taking it apart. It's more of a I want the black titanium finish and to know how to do this sort of thing for me. The razor is in very good shape and is a good shaver so this may even turn into a quest for a not so nice razor that needs replating just so I have the excuse to go with the black titanium or even Black titanium on the handle and Nickel on the head.

Dose any one know cedarfurnitureman's name on SRP. I don't know how to look up users on eBay

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gandrw

Thank you for the tip I'll contact cedarfurnitureman about his service. but I saw a company online and they charged nearly 3 times what i payed for the razor to strip and refinish a razor like this. So I was hoping to do the majority of the work myself to save the money.
If any one knows where to find a PDF or something like that, that shows how to disassemble them that would be cool.

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Gandrw:

I'm curious what company you found online. What is their name and website address?

Thanks.

Here you go but you have to ask me before you buy anything they have just in case I have my Eye on it.:p:roflmao

Razor Emporium, A gentleman’s source for his vintage shaving needs

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Originally Posted by gandrw

Here you go but you have to ask me before you buy anything they have just in case I have my Eye on it.:p:roflmao

Razor Emporium, A gentleman’s source for his vintage shaving needs

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Will do!:)

The finish looks pretty good to me. Looks better than mine actually. Enjoy your Slim.:beer1:

Hi,

+1 on on Arrowheads suggestion.

Mr Dave Glynn of safetyrazors.co.uk does a good job (I have a couple of his re-plated razors, both gold and nickel)

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

Not a token at all.

Please help us to grow this area with as much information as you possess. Straight Razor Place was actually the first wetshaving site on the internet, I believe and all information about shaving which includes, DE's, Soaps, AS, brushes and all else is very welcome.

Thanks!!!

Lynn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by De Layne

Hi there,

Yeah, you're right about there not being all that much about DE razors here. The DE forum part is a fairly recent invention, and is a sorta token thing......heh.

You have a slim, which is a well respected razor and a favorite of many. It's also a very common piece and available for a decent price. Unless this razor's an heirloom or something, I wouldn't suggest it as a candidate for replating. That process would be reserved for a more unusual type in most cases.

You'll find slims ranging from $20 in good condition to maybe $40-50 in excellent shape with all black numbers. Oh, for your slim to be made in 1973, there would have to be a 'T' underneath the head. That's the letter for 1973, and I can't recall ever seeing a slim with that late of a date. Could it maybe be an 'I'? That would make it 1963.

Directions for taking one apart may be difficult to find. I know there's instructions for doing that with a fatboy, which is the previous model before the slim. No idea if that would work on your piece. You can search over at the Badger and Blade site to find that info. There's also some info on various members who do DE replating and pics of the results.

Hope that helps,

Martin

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

Not a token at all.

Please help us to grow this area with as much information as you possess. Straight Razor Place was actually the first wetshaving site on the internet, I believe and all information about shaving which includes, DE's, Soaps, AS, brushes and all else is very welcome.

Thanks!!!

Lynn

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I agree with what Lynn said. I think all information on shaving is welcome. I that thats what makes this forum great is the vast amount of information that can be found here and the wonderful people as well we have here to help.

Richard

I have just cleaned up a 20's DE razor and found under the grime small splits in the handle ends. Can these be soldered? Or Brazed? Or is it worth it at all?

Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

Not a token at all.

Please help us to grow this area with as much information as you possess. Straight Razor Place was actually the first wetshaving site on the internet, I believe and all information about shaving which includes, DE's, Soaps, AS, brushes and all else is very welcome.

Thanks!!!

Lynn

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Hi there Lynn,

I was being a bit sarcastic about the limited DE info and interest. Believe me, I much prefer the situation now as opposed to a couple years ago. At least now there's a separate place in the forum to post things, and it's been sorta funny at times reading those. Seems like a bunch of members use a DE on occasion...many with very good results. I never woulda figured that to be the case, but sure as heck.

I'd be glad to help more with questions about the DE thing. Unfortunately I've never used a straight, so I'm unable to compare the two. Having used many(30-40)DE razors over a three year period did give me some insight that may be valuable to someone. I do respond to forum questions sometimes, but could do more.

Now, to anyone who's never used a DE razor: There is a TON of subtle tweaks to be made with the razor and blade combo. There's an amazing number of various combos to choose from, and it's all trial and error. You gotta try em yourself.......can't go by other peoples experiences. Not all razors shave the same, and not all blades cut equally. Plus, and this is a killer, blades can perform differently in different razors. Nice huh?

Now, I'm talking about being able to have a very close and comfortable shave with no red marks or irritation at all. None. I'm talking about a shave where you can't feel the blade as the razor whisks effortlessly over your face......shaving by sound. That's possible with a DE, but it can take a while.

If you're just looking for something to provide a good but not great shave, then buy only 1 DE razor and only 1-2 different blades. You'll most likely never end up getting great results, but good is still ok. It just ain't great, and there's a big difference between the two. Finding a favorite combo isn't easy and takes motivation.

Ok, guess that'll do it for now,

Martin

Quote:

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Originally Posted by De Layne

Hi there,
You'll find slims ranging from $20 in good condition to maybe $40-50 in excellent shape with all black numbers. Oh, for your slim to be made in 1973, there would have to be a 'T' underneath the head. That's the letter for 1973, and I can't recall ever seeing a slim with that late of a date. Could it maybe be an 'I'? That would make it 1963.
Martin

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Just took the time to look at the bottom of the razor and you are right it's an "I"on one side and a 4 on the other. So it's a forth quarter 1963 right?

I know that replating is completely unnecessary on this razor. I would just like to know how to disassemble them and also see if I can find a deal on one that needs replating in the future I would want to talk to a jeweler about replating costs and also know I can do the disassembly prep and reassembly before I search for and buy another one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gandrw

Just took the time to look at the bottom of the razor and you are right it's an "I"on one side and a 4 on the other. So it's a forth quarter 1963 right?

I know that replating is completely unnecessary on this razor. I would just like to know how to disassemble them and also see if I can find a deal on one that needs replating in the future I would want to talk to a jeweler about replating costs and also know I can do the disassembly prep and reassembly before I search for and buy another one.

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Yes, That is correct 1963 I and 4th quarter

I have a 1966 and a 1961 slim

Richard

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gandrw

Just took the time to look at the bottom of the razor and you are right it's an "I"on one side and a 4 on the other. So it's a forth quarter 1963 right?

I know that replating is completely unnecessary on this razor. I would just like to know how to disassemble them and also see if I can find a deal on one that needs replating in the future I would want to talk to a jeweler about replating costs and also know I can do the disassembly prep and reassembly before I search for and buy another one.

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Ok, I have a good project razor for you. It's a fatboy in pretty good shape, with the doors opening smoothly and the blade gap lining up fine. The problem it has is the adjustment dial spins freely, and won't adjust at all. I believe I'd read about a fix for that at the other shaving forum I mentioned earlier.

You can try fixing it, and then replating it if you're successful. I'll send that out on the house if it interests you. Let me know by PM if you like.

Martin

Not sure if they do something as small as a razor but you can check out

Kalamazoo Metal Finishers Inc,

Kalamazoo Metal Finishers, Inc*
2019 Glendenning Rd
Kalamazoo, MI 49001-4112
(269) 382-1611

might be closer and I know they had reasonable pricing when my brother used them for some chrome plating jobs.

If your going to do gold plating on a daily use razor I don't know how long it would last before you would start seeing wear. Gold is pretty soft and plate isn't all that thick. The original plating is thicker and the chrome or nickle is more durable. You could look into ion plate but the cost would probably be prohibitive.

Photo is forthcoming. Scroll down, I goofed it......

The photo didn't show up.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

If your going to do gold plating on a daily use razor I don't know how long it would last before you would start seeing wear. Gold is pretty soft and plate isn't all that thick. The original plating is thicker and the chrome or nickle is more durable. You could look into ion plate but the cost would probably be prohibitive.

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Don't worry I would never even consider gold plating anything. I personally cant stand the look of gold. in fact there are several razors i would love to have but would only purchase if I planed on having the gold wash removed. I like Black Titanium, Standard Titanium, Nickel, Black Nickel, and Rhodium. From every thing I've herd they are very durable.
But that is just my personal taste and I know allot of people love gold. Thats the beauty of being able to have a personal preference. It makes the manufacturers of products make a wider variety of things to try to make everyone happy.

My DE
I am normally a Str8 shaver but I do have a DE that I occasionally shave with, just to remind me what it was like back in the 50's when I started shaving.

I am including a photo and hope someone can tell me the approximate age of this brass Gillette DE............. Thanks in advance.

I am excited to report that my wife asked where I had put the DE because she wants to shave her legs with it again instead of using one of the few cartridge razors we still have in the house. I stopped using them a while ago but we held on to them for her. Our house will soon be absolutely cartridge free very soon.
She even wants me to make a nice wooden stand for the DE to go in the medicine cabinet. Till now all my shaving gear has been stored in a dedicated drawer in my dresser. Let the subtle migration and infiltration begin MUAHAHAHAHA!:mace::medvl:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gandrw

I am excited to report that my wife asked where I had put the DE because she wants to shave her legs with it again instead of using one of the few cartridge razors we still have in the house. I stopped using them a while ago but we held on to them for her. Our house will soon be absolutely cartridge free very soon.
She even wants me to make a nice wooden stand for the DE to go in the medicine cabinet. Till now all my shaving gear has been stored in a dedicated drawer in my dresser. Let the subtle migration and infiltration begin MUAHAHAHAHA!:mace::medvl:

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Nice. My wife loves using her lady gillette (blue stars), tho still uses goop in a can...