Gillette 1951 Aristocrat W1 Presentation Razor Trick it out or restore it?

I got this razor from my 86 year old father recently and I'm wondering if I should restore it or have Jay at Delta Echo trick it out - I posted a bunch of pictures on Jay's Delta Echo vendor thread so please have a look and let me know what you think I should do with it.
Thanks,
Mark

Thats weird, I spent a ton of time posting pictures on Jay's thread at Delta Echo and none of its there ... I'll try again. My wife was calling me for dinner so I may have hit the wrong button.

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OK, I think I have success. I invite any comments, thoughts, opinions on what I ought to do with the razor pictured on Jay's artisan thread Delta Echo - I'm considering either restoring the razor or having Jay trick it out with one of his wild coating combinations.
Thanks,
Mark

Mark, there is no right or wrong answer here.  It would look beautiful either way.  How much sentimentality is connected to the razor?  Because it was your dad's you may want to have it restored to how it looked new.  However, if it holds no sentimental value for you then get it tricked out.  You'll always know it was your father's.  If he doesn't care then go with whichever way you feel you're being pulled.

Whatever you decide, pictures please, if you have it done.

Hi Freddy, I'll be sure to post pictures whichever way I go. I have no memory of my dad actually using the razor although it certainly looks as if it was used quite a bit. I imagine he likely used it before I was born.

First, I am a big fan of Jay's work and intend on either having him refinish something for me or pick up one of his "stock" creations- great take on modernizing classics.

Having said that, I would likely restore your Dad's razor. It looks in fairly decent shape and you should be able to have the end cap replaced fairly easily. Your Dad may get a kick out of seeing it restored to its full, like new condition. If it were not a family razor I would feel completely different and ship it off to Jay!

Mark, there is no right or wrong answer here.  It would look beautiful either way.  How much sentimentality is connected to the razor?  Because it was your dad's you may want to have it restored to how it looked new.  However, if it holds no sentimental value for you then get it tricked out.  You'll always know it was your father's.  If he doesn't care then go with whichever way you feel you're being pulled.

Whatever you decide, pictures please, if you have it done.

Great reply! Since it was your fathers, I personally would clean and polish it and continue to use it just as he did.

I've decided to have the aristocrat restored to original gold plate finish. It will be a while but I'll be sure to put pictures up. Thanks for all your input.
Mark

We're looking forward to those photos, Marco.

We're looking forward to those photos, Marco.

Agreed- very much look forward to the restoration images!

So, I decided to go the restoration route with both the Aristocrat and the Fatboy.  I don't have them in my hands yet but I received word this afternoon that they're done and on their way.  Here's some pictures that Chris at RazorPlate sent me.  All I can say is, Oh my goodness, these babies look nice!  kwsher Freddy and DavidJames what do you think?  I'll provide some more images once I actually receive the razors.  You can probably tell that I stuck with gold for the aristo but went black rhodium on the Fatty.  I like it.

Marko