Hi Folks,
I would like to make a correction and submit some information that may help in this discussion:
The Baron that Frank referred to is plated in upgrade gold. This pen is not available in 24k nor will it ever be. There's no sense in putting a spray can paint finish on a Corvette if you know what I mean.
Here is a guide on platings that I have posted in my website. It may answer some of the questions brought up in this thread:
Gold Plating: Gold plating is ultimately not durable when exposed to abrasion. There just is no "free lunch". Gold plating can be made more durable depending on the method used to plate, additives to the gold and techniques employed during plating. However, no matter what is done to the alloy, ALL gold plating will wear off over time when abraded. This is simply a fact of physics. Platings other than gold can be very durable. The following is an explanation of the various platings used by Berea Hardwoods:
Upgrade Gold: All gold plating used on the Berea kits is 24k "upgrade gold". Upgrade means that the parts are plated using the rack method and that small amounts of cobalt or palladium are added to the plating chemicals. This enhances the durability of the gold plating. This plating does not last forever but it wears a lot better than standard 24k plated parts.
Titanium Gold: Titanium plating produces an extremely durable and the most durable finish. The process uses what is called PVD (particle vapor deposition). Titanium oxide matched to the color of the gold is molecularly bonded to the part and the 24k gold is bonded (sputtered) on the parts to achieve a color match to the other gold parts. The parts are again re-plated after this step. The final result is that the parts will virtually never show wear. Berea Hardwoods pioneered this process for writing instruments and are not aware of another company using the exact process that they use.
18k Swiss Rose Gold: This is a very rare and unusual plating. Copper and gold are combined in such a way that they both plate with their atoms equally mixed together. The pats to be plated are specially treated before plating and the plating is deposited in a very thick layer. Not only does this produce a beautiful sumptuous look but is it very durable. It has been indicated that there are only two companies in the world able to do this plating and that under regular careful use the plating should hold up for several years. The copper in the alloy can cause Swiss rose gold can tarnish but it's beautiful luster can be brought back by lightly buffing the surface. A coat of Renaissance Wax will also help protect the plating.
Chrome: This is an extremely durable plating. Under normal use this plating should hold up for many years.
Platinum: This is also a very durable hard plating. Berea uses real platinum rather than rhodium and it should be expected to hold up under normal careful use for many years.
Black Titanium: This is a titanium oxide molecularly bonded (PVD) process. This plating is unbelievably hard and durable and much tougher than titanium nitride. It will last for many, many years.
Sterling Silver: the Baron rollerball and fountain pen kits feature this plating. The parts receive a restaurant grade 20 micron plating to ensure the beauty lasts for many, many years.
A note on the sterling silver plating: These kits receive a 20 micron plating. Normal plating ranges between 4 and 5 microns in thickness. The sterling silver plating is extreamly durable.
Kits that have an epoxy plating are not totally wear resistant considering how thin the epoxy coating has to be without being noticable. I have been told that the epoxy coating is actually shellac and most of you that have used Mylands Friction Polish and/or HUT Crystal Coat know that these two finishes are shellac based and do not last forever. I personally believe that the 'epoxy claim' is more of a marketing technique than a durability claim.
Bottom line: Any gold plating (with the exception of gold titanium) is guaranteed to wear over time.
As for the 'lifetime guarantee': Companies who offer this warranty have conducted extensive studies to determine (1) just how long does a particular plating last, and (2) what is the average time it takes for a person to loose, misplace, or have his/her pen 'grow legs' (gets stolen or 'appropriated'). If a particular pen kit has a 'lifetime guarantee' and lasts the 'test of time' companies offering this warranty will replace the kit but not the entire pen (wood, acrylic, etc.). This guarantee sounds great but you, the creator, must replicate the original pen (metal, wood, etc.) when you offer a lifetime guarantee and yet you have no control on how the pen is used/abused. Something to think about when selling your pens.
Someone mentioned something about the acidity found in a person's skin. I have a customer who carries his pens in his neck of his T-shirt with the pen laying next to his skin. The kits he uses are platinum/rhodium (these are not Berea kits). Within two weeks the plating on the kit has turned dull & grey. He will not use titanium kits because he like the 'silver' finish. So, as a result, he is stuck with a dull, grey plated pen. Acidity does have an effect on platings.
Hope I've given you all enough to think about!
BB