Copper Razors - Heat Retention, Patina & Heft. Opinions?

I have really come to like copper as a metal for DE razors. Since my first razor was the Merkur 38C, I've always been drawn to heftier razors. There's something about a substantial feel in the hand that I like. I think this is why I struggle with aluminum. I know it's going to be light when I pick it up, but I'm always shocked at how light they are. Another point to copper is the heat retention. It does seem to be able to absorb and retain heat much better than the other metals. And the third point, is the ability for it to patina. This is the one thing I'm not necessarily a fan of. I generally like polished razors to start with as opposed to more matte like finishes. But, even with a matte finish, I still prefer to not have a patina form. Though this is generally unavoidable. My copper alpha razor came with patina already forming when I took it out of the box! 

Below I posted a picture comparison of my Karve razor in copper from the day I got it until now to show how the patina has formed. I have owned it for about three months now and it spent most of the time in the box after being use and dried. Though it has been out of the box and exposed for just about a month now.

I have had a few copper razors and currently only have one.  

Flitz is obviously your friend.  Nothing wrong with a soft cloth polish here and there to remove the patina. 

Copper as we know is an excellent conductor.  The wiring in homes (except when things got goofy and aluminum was used), plumbing and heat pumps, and then finally look at the average electric car using about 150lbs of copper wire in it.  Copper is a great metal but it’s soft.  

You can put wax on your copper or coat it, to slow the patina.  But I just don’t like the idea of something on the surface of my razor.  

Bonus for copper (besides its great looks and heat retention) is that copper is an excellent anti microbial if you are a germaphobe.

I have had a few copper razors and currently only have one.  

Flitz is obviously your friend.  Nothing wrong with a soft cloth polish here and there to remove the patina. 

Copper as we know is an excellent conductor.  The wiring in homes (except when things got goofy and aluminum was used), plumbing and heat pumps, and then finally look at the average electric car using about 150lbs of copper wire in it.  Copper is a great metal but it’s soft.  

You can put wax on your copper or coat it, to slow the patina.  But I just don’t like the idea of something on the surface of my razor.  

Bonus for copper (besides its great looks and heat retention) is that copper is an excellent anti microbial if you are a germaphobe.

I do own a tube of Flitz. We used to use it when I worked in the music shop, to polish the brass and woodwind instruments. I remember being amazed at how good of a job it really did. And, you are correct. I didn’t even think to mention the anti-microbial nature of copper. And, I would have to agree, I don’t see it likely that I’ll put anything on the razor to slow the patina. I’d rather leave it natural and let it patina, and if I need to I can always polish it off.

Love my copper Karve. What I did was polish it to a high shine first then let it naturally patina from there. It eventually takes on these beautiful blue and purple hues before it starts to get more dull and brown like an old penny. It's really cool to see the gradual transformation. I think it might be time to polish mine again and start over.

Love my copper Karve. What I did was polish it to a high shine first then let it naturally patina from there. It eventually takes on these beautiful blue and purple hues before it starts to get more dull and brown like an old penny. It's really cool to see the gradual transformation. I think it might be time to polish mine again and start over.

I'll send mine to you for polishing. I wish mine was polished. When I bought my copper and aluminum one, I asked him about polished stainless steel ones. It just takes too much time he said and it wasn't feasible for him to polish them at this time. I saw at one point he had done some polished stainless ones and they looked amazing.

Love my copper Karve. What I did was polish it to a high shine first then let it naturally patina from there. It eventually takes on these beautiful blue and purple hues before it starts to get more dull and brown like an old penny. It's really cool to see the gradual transformation. I think it might be time to polish mine again and start over.

I'll send mine to you for polishing. I wish mine was polished. When I bought my copper and aluminum one, I asked him about polished stainless steel ones. It just takes too much time he said and it wasn't feasible for him to polish them at this time. I saw at one point he had done some polished stainless ones and they looked amazing.

Haha. I spent about an hour on it with a microfiber cloth, some metal polish, and lots of elbow grease, but it wasn't like a mirror or anything. I just wanted to get rid of the matte bead blast look before starting the patina and it did the trick.

Love my copper Karve. What I did was polish it to a high shine first then let it naturally patina from there. It eventually takes on these beautiful blue and purple hues before it starts to get more dull and brown like an old penny. It's really cool to see the gradual transformation. I think it might be time to polish mine again and start over.

I'll send mine to you for polishing. I wish mine was polished. When I bought my copper and aluminum one, I asked him about polished stainless steel ones. It just takes too much time he said and it wasn't feasible for him to polish them at this time. I saw at one point he had done some polished stainless ones and they looked amazing.

Haha. I spent about an hour on it with a microfiber cloth, some metal polish, and lots of elbow grease, but it wasn't like a mirror or anything. I just wanted to get rid of the matte bead blast look before starting the patina and it did the trick.

Yeah, that seems to kind of be the procedure. I have some Flitz and microfiber cloths, I'm just always afraid somehow that I'll ruin it.

KETCHUP

I'll send mine to you for polishing. I wish mine was polished. When I bought my copper and aluminum one, I asked him about polished stainless steel ones. It just takes too much time he said and it wasn't feasible for him to polish them at this time. I saw at one point he had done some polished stainless ones and they looked amazing.

Haha. I spent about an hour on it with a microfiber cloth, some metal polish, and lots of elbow grease, but it wasn't like a mirror or anything. I just wanted to get rid of the matte bead blast look before starting the patina and it did the trick.

Yeah, that seems to kind of be the procedure. I have some Flitz and microfiber cloths, I'm just always afraid somehow that I'll ruin it.

Nah, you won't. Just don't go too crazy on the underside of the top cap or top of the baseplate.

I think you need to embrace the patina when you buy copper - unless you love polishing razors. As long as it doesn't get out of control. This is the perfect excuse to repost this --




I used to polish my copper razors but now I like the changing colours of the patina. It's a shame it is a softer metal though, it's easy to damage.