DE Razor Replating

How many case restorations would it take to recoup your outlay, jc?

I think there would be great interest at the right price.

Hmmm.... I think about 10-12 internal case restorations to cover the cost. But I don't know what people would consider as a reasonable cost to pay for a complete replacement and refurb?

I guess the full restoration would be old fabric stripped, internals and externals replated, artwork/logo modelled and fabricated onto satin fabric, plus velveteen replacement.

The modelling and dies for the logo would only need to be made on the first of each type of case/artwork design. After that, the costs would be a lot smaller as I would already have the designs and dies for making the logos. None of this is a get rich quick scheme - if you ask any of my new customers I spend more time and materials than would be practical for a company to keep in profit lol. My hours doing each "job" are HUGE .... but it's a lovely hobby for me that keeps me out of trouble !

I'm not too worried about making big profits as much as being able to make the things I work on look good .... It is after all a hobby and I get a massive pleasure from making and fixing things. It will stay like that. So as long as I covered my costs over a while it would be OK. I would just need to hide the receipts from my better half short term lol !!

Cheers,

Jay

www.razorplating.co.uk
 
...Regarding the logos, I know PlanOfMan recently posted that he was working on that very problem with a friend in the US...
Chris, I was actually working with a friend in the U.K., not the U.S. @Wishbone I haven't heard any updates from him in a while though.

That process involved precision cut metallic vinyl decals melted into the fabric. I imagine the 'process' discovered by Jaycee-uk involves hot stamping directly onto the card stock backed fabric like Gillette did.

The equipment for that isn't all that expensive, it's the dies that cost the most. And the process is fairly labor intensive. Luckily, Gillette mostly used the same design for a long period of time. The same stamp, one reading Made in U.S.A. with the "Gillette Diamond" logo and the other Made in England with the "Gillette Safety Razor" logo. A separate "Aristocrat" die stamp could be used with both sets.

I would consider a fair price for a full inside/outside refurbish of a case in nickel or gold to be about $80-100 USD or about £60-75. Replacing the fabric is a fairly easy process, once you have a proper pattern.
 
Chris, I was actually working with a friend in the U.K., not the U.S. @Wishbone I haven't heard any updates from in a while though.

That process involved precision cut metallic vinyl decals melted into the fabric. I imagine the 'process' discovered by Jaycee-uk involves hot stamping directly onto the card stock backed fabric like Gillette did.

The equipment for that isn't all that expensive, it's the dies that cost the most. And the process is fairly labor intensive. Luckily, Gillette mostly used the same design for a long period of time. The same stamp, one reading Made in U.S.A. with the "Gillette Diamond" logo and the other Made in England with the "Gillette Safety Razor" logo. A separate "Aristocrat" die stamp could be used with both sets.

I would consider a fair price for a full inside/outside refurbish of a case in nickel or gold to be about $80-100 USD or about £60-75. Replacing the fabric is a fairly easy process, once you have a proper pattern.
I did look at the option of glue sheets cut by computer which you press onto the material ..... Followed by a pressing of foil. I have a friend that has a printing company and a crazy high end digital cutter who I'm sure would do the job for me. The problem is the cutting of the very small lettering for the "Made in England" I have on this current case. It's tiny and much more practical to heat stamp. The hand held stamps wouldn't be any good for this though .... I think it needs to be a bench press type machine.

I'm sure I will get one as I'm addicted to gadgets but it's just when !

Cheers,

Jay

www.razorplating.co.uk
 
Wotcha, lads ....... I haven't forgotten about the metallic vinyls; just that my workload has been a bit mental. I've redrawn the Gillette logo to vector for the most part, but need to tidy it up a fair bit. The cut lines have to be perfect at that scale.

We've been working flat out to get the business ready for some VIPs that are visiting today and, with a little luck, we can get back to normal then. Hopefully then, I can cut and heat press a rough cut onto a piece of suitable material to see how viable it is.
 
Chris, I was actually working with a friend in the U.K., not the U.S. @Wishbone I haven't heard any updates from him in a while though.

That process involved precision cut metallic vinyl decals melted into the fabric. I imagine the 'process' discovered by Jaycee-uk involves hot stamping directly onto the card stock backed fabric like Gillette did.

The equipment for that isn't all that expensive, it's the dies that cost the most. And the process is fairly labor intensive. Luckily, Gillette mostly used the same design for a long period of time. The same stamp, one reading Made in U.S.A. with the "Gillette Diamond" logo and the other Made in England with the "Gillette Safety Razor" logo. A separate "Aristocrat" die stamp could be used with both sets.

I would consider a fair price for a full inside/outside refurbish of a case in nickel or gold to be about $80-100 USD or about £60-75. Replacing the fabric is a fairly easy process, once you have a proper pattern.

Ryan,
I beg your pardon, my mistake. A careless assumption on my part, showed my age there! Occasionally tend to forget the international nature of these forums.

I'm impressed by the amount of effort, knowledge and ingenuity being invested in this project, not to mention money, if Jay gives into temptation. I can sympathise, I'm a gadget freak too.

Agreed, the dies certainly are an expensive element and it's a laborious procedure, presumably why Gillette didn't vary the design often.

Please keep us posted with your progress, I'm sure we'd all be intrigued to see the results.

Regards,
Chris
 
Agreed, the dies certainly are an expensive element and it's a laborious procedure, presumably why Gillette didn't vary the design often.
There are unfortunately loads of different designs - many are just slightly different - but I feel it would be important to put the exact copy back in each case.

I'm going to build a library of the different designs that are out there, but if anyone would be kind enough to send photos to me of their case upper sections with logos that would be awesome. If it would be possible to put a ruler next to the image to get a scale that would be incredibly useful. Also if it's possible to take the photo head on to the case top that would be make it lots easier. Of course if I don't have a design I would always model the one I get sent to me - I'm just thinking if I can model lots of designs in advance, then at least if anyone does send me a case needing a repair, then it would speed up the service for the owner as they wouldn't have to wait for artwork models to be done of the logos!

Take care,

Jay

www.razorplating.co.uk
 
Hi All !

Hope you're having a fab day !

Just to let you know I have added a specific page on my website detailing the plans for the restoration of cases including logos. I have added a form on the page for anyone that may potentially have cases that would benefit from some restoration. The form is just to register interest and isn't in any way commiting to you making an order.

Best wishes,

Jay :)

www.razorplating.co.uk
 
Do you need to check to see if you are allowed to replicate the Gillette logos?

I can't imagine they would be too bothered, but you never know.

I can check ... I think if I were selling mass produced copies of current products they would rightly be bothered, but given I would be replacing the existing branding on a worn and genuine vintage case I think it would be ok. Also the branding was already on the case and would be replaced by an identical copy and in tiny quantities so I can't imagine it being objectionable.

I guess I consider it similar to doing up an old vintage car. If something was damaged - you would repair it or make a replacement part if they no longer sold spares. Also I will be doing it as a part time hobby so given the available time I have, I know I will never reach anything more than tiny quantities.

Cheers,

Jay

www.razorplating.co.uk
 
Those folks are pretty hot on trademarks and will almost certainly say "no" and probably follow up with a scary looking "cease and desist".
Better to fly in a "nap of the earth" manner
@jaycee-uk I reckon you're right - You are looking at minuscule quantities, repairing the case inners and going to bed each night with your soul intact.
One thought, though - would it be sensible to include a noticeable imperfection (or maybe your initials) to stop the risk of your passion and skills being exploited to create a near perfect antique for the eBay collectors market?
 
Those folks are pretty hot on trademarks and will almost certainly say "no" and probably follow up with a scary looking "cease and desist".
Better to fly in a "nap of the earth" manner
@jaycee-uk I reckon you're right - You are looking at minuscule quantities, repairing the case inners and going to bed each night with your soul intact.
One thought, though - would it be sensible to include a noticeable imperfection (or maybe your initials) to stop the risk of your passion and skills being exploited to create a near perfect antique for the eBay collectors market?
A fully restored automobile is worth more than one in "original" condition, unless that original condition is pristine. I don't see why razors should be any different. It's up to the seller to disclose any restoration work.

As for the logos, you can purchase replacement automobile and motorcycle badges from aftermarket suppliers with no issues, so I don't see this as being any different.
 
This is true, @PLANofMAN
I'm being over cautious and not thinking it through.
It's a fair thought Tom. I guess my thinking was that if anyone used a modern day logo to make e.g. new razors then that would be totally wrong. Also if the company sold replacement cases or the items were still in production - so you could buy one from them then it would be wrong too. I think as long as it is strictly restoring a case to how it was originally then it should hopefully be ok - especially as it will only ever be small numbers of cases owned by fellow enthusiasts.

Have a lovely day,

Jay

www.razorplating.co.uk
 
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