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- #49
How many case restorations would it take to recoup your outlay, jc?
I think there would be great interest at the right price.
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....Regarding the logos, I know PlanOfMan recently posted that he was working on that very problem with a friend in the US...
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.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.
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.
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.Agreed, the dies certainly are an expensive element and it's a laborious procedure, presumably why Gillette didn't vary the design often.
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.
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.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?
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.This is true, @PLANofMAN
I'm being over cautious and not thinking it through.
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