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Plating my Karve

fhalden

fhalden

"Like BarberDave… I make my own fun”
So I have a Karve Brass B plate razor that I haven't touched yet because I want to plate it. I'm not a fan of patina. I have a mid-May appointment to get two razors plated. The other is a NEW SC, which I'm having replated in gold. But I'm torn about what metal to plate the Karve in. It's a matte finish, so I feel like Rhodium might be wasted, although it would be very corrosion resistant, and it's such a bright white metal. The other options are gold and bright Nickel. I'm intrigued by doing the Nickel over brass, because it's sort of a classic razor profile. Gold, although an option, doesn't feel right for the Karve. I guess I'm saying all of this because I am interested in everyone's opinions about what metal seems right for the Karve. It's not really a question of plating it or not - I'm going to plate it, I'm just torn over what metal I want. Any thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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I like the idea of Nickel which will be shiny, just not as much as Rhodium. The Gold if you choose would just look like you polished to an extreme and everyone would ask how/what you did so they can do the same. Do what you want and enjoy !
 
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I'm no plating expert but if you want shiny, you have to start with a polished razor. Matte parts dont take plating well.

You said you have an appointment which leads me to believe your razors are headed to NC. If so, reach out to Chris and ask him. You will likely get far more information than you can process in reply.

Good luck. I'll be looking out for pictures.

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Here's a pic I saved from a guy who had his done in black rhodium. I love this look.

K2jlWuB.jpg
 
Mark me down for nickel. I just think nickel over brass is a classic combo and look. @The Monkey did a nickel plating over his Colonial General brass and it was awesome!
 
JoeLr said:
Here's a pic I saved from a guy who had his done in black rhodium. I love this look.

K2jlWuB.jpg
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I read this thread on another forum just yesterday, and it had me thinking hard about doing mine in nickel. In fact, I am still debating. And @LOOT, I believe in that thread he bought a brass razor and then sent it straight to Chris, who then deep cleaned it and plated it.
 
MaineYooper said:
I read this thread on another forum just yesterday, and it had me thinking hard about doing mine in nickel. In fact, I am still debating. And @LOOT, I believe in that thread he bought a brass razor and then sent it straight to Chris, who then deep cleaned it and plated it.
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Interesting. I'd like to see some good pics. Any I've seen were still kinda matte looking when done...which isnt an issue if that's what one is after. I'm not so sure you can start with typical Karve and get a clean mirror. I dunno...prolly shoulda kept my mouth shut like usual. [emoji16]

Carry on.

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I am indeed sending the razors to Chris. He didn't express any concern about plating on a matte finish, and I wasn't expecting the plating to make the Karve shiny. I like the look of the matte finish, and I'm mainly going for more corrosion resistance. I will revisit the question of the advisability of plating a matte finish with him though. Thanks for the advice!

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JoeLr said:
Here's a pic I saved from a guy who had his done in black rhodium. I love this look.

K2jlWuB.jpg
Click to expand...
That is a really nice looking razor! I think it'll look really nice in standard rhodium too.

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fhalden said:
I am indeed sending the razors to Chris. He didn't express any concern about plating on a matte finish, and I wasn't expecting the plating to make the Karve shiny. I like the look of the matte finish, and I'm mainly going for more corrosion resistance. I will revisit the question of the advisability of plating a matte finish with him though. Thanks for the advice!

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Awesome! Can’t wait to see it’s “after” pics!
 
Tough choices although I am partial to the bright Rhodium. I wonder if the plated Karve will shave any smoother. Send us pictures with your decision and report back on the shave please.
 
AJSharp said:
Tough choices although I am partial to the bright Rhodium. I wonder if the plated Karve will shave any smoother. Send us pictures with your decision and report back on the shave please.
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I sure will. My appointment is mid May, and then a six week wait, but as soon as I get it, I'll post pictures and an account of my first shave.

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I will be the "hair shirt" of reality now.

A. you will have a razor that you will never be able to sell for what you will have in it and never ever say "I will never sell it!" as you just may one day since it's not an heirloom.

B. why don't you just sell the razor as it is now is and buy a stainless Karve?

You'd be dollars and "sense" ahead to do that IMO.

FWIW, replating kills any collector value on antiques and IMO should only be done on a razor that has severe spalling/flaking AND is an heirloom that you will never sell, e.g., grandpa's razor bequeathed to you.
 
Bogeyman said:
B. why don't you just sell the razor as it is now is and buy a stainless Karve?
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Considering some that ordered on Black Friday Polished ones that were a click to add to cart as if it was available and STILL don't have them, I don't see that as a Viable option. By the way, they paid up front to fund his other ventures and WAIT for their product. There's a lot more detail to it all but will leave it at that. Karve will NEVER see a penny of my money again.
 
Dave in KY said:
Considering some that ordered on Black Friday Polished ones that were a click to add to cart as if it was available and STILL don't have them, I don't see that as a Viable option. By the way, they paid up front to fund his other ventures and WAIT for their product. There's a lot more detail to it all but will leave it at that. Karve will NEVER see a penny of my money again.
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Thanks & I'll take your word on it Dave as I don't really follow the artisan razor market closely as I am happy as a clam with "skid row" Gillette Techs. ;)
 
Bogeyman said:
I will be the "hair shirt" of reality now.

A. you will have a razor that you will never be able to sell for what you will have in it and never ever say "I will never sell it!" as you just may one day since it's not an heirloom.

B. why don't you just sell the razor as it is now is and buy a stainless Karve?

You'd be dollars and "sense" ahead to do that IMO.

FWIW, replating kills any collector value on antiques and IMO should only be done on a razor that has severe spalling/flaking AND is an heirloom that you will never sell, e.g., grandpa's razor bequeathed to you.
Click to expand...
I appreciate your input, and I have certainly given consideration to your points. I'm not really interested in preserving resale value. I've never sold a razor in my collection, I have PIF'ed them, which is what I would do with this razor. I have no heirs, so preserving an heirloom isn't really a concern. If it's sold, it'll be at an estate sale, hopefully many years hence!

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