Metal platings - I can't take no MOH

[JBarry]

One of the popular suppliers has the following descriptions of metal platings on its website:
Titanium Gold - "most durable plating".
Black Titanium - "unbelievably hard and durable".
Chrome - "extremely durable".
Rhodium and Platinum - "very durable hard".
Upgrade Gold - the rack method "enhances the durability".
10K Gold - "more resistant to wear than 24K, but ultimately it will abrade with use".
24K Gold - "naturally soft and wears quickly".
Rose Gold, Satin, Black Chrome, Sterling, Copper, Antique Brass/Pewter/Copper, seem to be in a "soft by nature" category, but no real descriptions.
Gunmetal - unfortunately the plating hardness is not described, with emphasis on the variations in color depending on the manufacturer.
I will take the above as plating hardness gospel unless the IAP community disabuses me of that position.

 

[bugradx2]

....
Rose Gold, Satin, Black Chrome, Sterling, Copper, Antique Brass/Pewter/Copper, seem to be in a "soft by nature" category, but no real descriptions.
......

It's ok to name your source material, I'd lay a guess most of us know exactly which supplier you're referencing. You're not disparaging anyone, just asking about plating.

I would not put all of these platings as "soft by nature". That particular description is written next to the Copper plating description, not the rest of them.

In my personal experience, I've had no issue with Black Chrome or the Antique Brass platings. I've not tried Antique Pewter or Antique Copper on more than a couple pens so I can't give much guidance there although I do like the look quite a bit. To me, the satin platings can show fingerprints easier.

I will say that some pens lose their platings much quicker than others. When I was very new to this world (I just feel kind of new now) I made my wife a pen and she has worn the plating off it. That particular pen did not state what the plating was and I think that may be why it wore off. I've got other pens with "stated" platings that have been in daily use for several years and don't show a sign of wear. LOL - I've always thought my wife is quite sweet so I don't think there is anything acidic in her fingerprints.

If you'd like to learn more about the platings or a particular one go ahead and ask the folks at Exotic Blanks. I'm sure they'd be happy to help you learn more.

 

[mark james]

Experience in purchasing will reveal the plating/vendor you prefer. However, even a few months, and a few shipments later your preferred product may not be what you desired. There are no guarantees for consistencies in product runs - I wish there were!

 

[JBarry]

Thank you for the replies. I am still on the early part of the learning curve.
Though I was not certain, it seemed that several of the the platings were lumped together in the soft by nature category.
(Was fairly certain that "Gunmetal" referred to various colors per manufacturer rather than, well, gun metal hardness.)
I will continue my search to see if other suppliers provide a more thorough durability description.

 

[JohnU]

All good info above. Like Mark James pointed out, The issue we have is companies that make the parts don't all have the same quality in their process even though the platings have the same name. I pay attention to manufacturers as much as plating. They don't all hold up as well.

 

[JBarry]

Got it. Thanks.