Not Sure if I Should Take a Chance on This Otto Deutsch Hans

Hi All-I have been wanting an OD Hans for the longest time (let one get sniped away from me at just $2.50 over my max bid last night, agghh!), and I was tempted by this BIN for a good price. What concerns me is the pitting on the back side near the toe. I was just wondering if you resto experts think it is worth taking a chance on, as it is in good shape otherwise. I'm wondering if some judicious hand sanding might get me to decent, honeable steel if I can even out that edge past any pitting issues.

I realize I am running the risk in calling attention to it that one of you might steal it away from me, but if so, so be it. So what do the SRP experts think-is it worth the risk? I appreciate any thoughts! Aaron

Edit: Sorry, here is the link!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111372775350...84.m1423.l2649

do you have a link?

I've never owned one of those beauties precisely because of the risk. I have known of a couple of members who've owned them, and they seem to be stable. The sad fact is that some scales are prone to gassing and the subsequent cell rot, and the Hans is one of them. You pays your money and you takes your chances. :boohoo:

Edit ; there is a slue of them on the bay right now .......

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

Sorry, I added the link in my edit

Don't think you can go wrong for that price. I restored one and sold it for a good price. Took a nice edge when I honed it.

The one you've linked looks to me as if it has had a pattern of corrosion very like the painted on appearance of rot buffed off. I could be wrong but that is how I see it. Not to mention what appears to me to be spine wear from center out each way.

I wouldn't - if the scales are decomposing you'll have to throw them away and to me they are big part of the razor.
None of mine has issues, but they look pretty much like factory condition, I've seen a number on ebay with rotting scales though, so any indication to that makes is way too risky for me.

Thanks for the advice all-That price sure is tempting, though. I wonder if you could take a celluloid-scaled razor and store it open in some sort of improvised sleeve (though that seems impractical, and certainly not good for a fragile hollow-ground edge.:hmmm:

I agree with Jimmy. It has gassed and pitted the blade, obvious! I have avoided them for reasons mentioned above. IF I had a pristine one, I would slather the scales in wet type silicone and soak for a few days, wipe off, Store it with the blade open with plenty of ventilation, just in case! They can get quite horrid.
Beautiful razors, though!

The more Iook the more it appears to have an edge problem about 1/2 inch in from the tip. Can't tell if it a small chip or a hairline crack. I would question the seller and ask for good pictures of that area.

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Originally Posted by bouschie

The more Iook the more it appears to have an edge problem about 1/2 inch in from the tip. Can't tell if it a small chip or a hairline crack. I would question the seller and ask for good pictures of that area.

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It's rusted steel, most likely there isn't anything good underneath there.

I'm with Jimmy in post # 6.

Thanks for the advice again, guys-I did message the seller, and to his credit, he replied that that questionable area contains extensive pitting, and is probably not worth trying to hone, and moreover that it is probably more of a collector piece as opposed to a user, thus the low price. He has 100% feedback on 600+ transactions-I thanked him for his honesty, and passed.

If it seems to good to be true...

It's a sittin Duck. Will need new scales unless you want to carry it around and keep an eye on it. I have saved a few from being framed just like that but it is a LOT of work.

Don't sit in the same blind and keep an eye out. Have a friend that just picked one up for chump change. Keep your finger on the trigger and you'll get one :<0)

Good call, but a good example of Cellus Rottus Magnums that has been sanded and buffed, possible Wiki material.

Under enlargement the rot is visible on the toe on the vertical edge, the line of demarcation visible at the scale edge a third of the way up from the edge and horizontal sanding marks visible on the upper third of the blade.

Would be some pricy bolsters.

As all before me have said, definite rot in progress. The green scales seem to suffer from it almost as much as the DD clear scales. Its a shame really. I have also seen MANY razors recently showing up with rusting at the entire toe area, due to celluloid WEDGES. But at least those the scales can be salvaged and if you don't mind losing an 1/8 inch off the end, still be a fine looking blade.

I've seen a few nice ones (like new) over the last three months or so. Be patient, your Prince(ss) Charming will be along soon.

But of course, we'll be bidding against each other :D

Count me in with the guys who look at the steel and feel like for $54, I'd like to have steel that has no evidence of corrosion or significant wear. The shape of the razor and the look of the scales is pleasing, but the little details like the uniform glom of corrosion, and evidence of past neglect or overhoning should tell you all you need to know to move on.

I had looked at that one for a long time because of the price but passed on it for the same reasons. I have three OD's and two of them are basket cases. I was able to salvage the scales from one because the razor didn't die from rot but a clumsy seller that dropped it when shipping it. He told me about it and still sent me the razor as well as refunding the price+shipping. The other one had a chip in the blade and a broken scale but no evidence of severe rusting or rot. When I received it I found a hair line crack in the blade at the heal. I only found it because the blade didn't sound right when I ran my thumb across it. The seller of that one also refunded my money. The third is in excellent shape with a small crack that runs from the tang end tip to the pin but it is stable and I use it frequently. There have been several of those on eBay gong for about $150, you might think about picking one of those up.

Funny thing about cell rot. There are certain scale colors that are more prone than others. There have been threads noting those but I've not saved any links, and don't recall which. I posted a thread some time back on a beautiful Wester Bros Manganese Steel with fancy scales. I happen to like that particular brand razor and jumped on one with fancy scales and a 6/8 blade in minty condition.

Came to me and honed up great. I was happy as a pig in mud. Left it sit for a few months, rotating on to other razors, and came back one day to find the dreaded rot had reared its ugly head. Here are the photos I took when I unpinned the tragedy. Thankfully I saved the blade before the rot progressed too far, but the beautiful scales are deadly now. Point being, it may look great as is, but it is potentially a minefield. The gassing may start any day. The first photo shows the wetness of the inside of the scales and the discoloration, the second details the beginnings of corrosion on the fancy bolster. :boohoo:

Attachment 170067Attachment 170069

Thanks again to all; I knew you guys would come through! I do have a radical idea for celluloid-scaled razors that haven't been bitten by cell- rot, though: would it be possible to sleeve the blade in something before closing in the scales for storage? Something as simple as a fold of wax paper? A thin cardboard sleeve like for kitchen knives? Would that help?

Discuss

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Thanks again to all; I knew you guys would come through! I do have a radical idea for celluloid-scaled razors that haven't been bitten by cell- rot, though: would it be possible to sleeve the blade in something before closing in the scales for storage? Something as simple as a fold of wax paper? A thin cardboard sleeve like for kitchen knives? Would that help?

Discuss

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I would think that since it's an outgassing process, you probably wouldn't be able to prevent the problem unless you some how hermetically sealed the metal. Or coated it in something impervious to the chemical process. That gas is sneaky stuff :)
Since I don't have a huge number of razors, mine see fairly frequency use, so I'm just keeping an eye on mine. I'll enjoy it until it turns on itself and my other razors, in which I'll be forced to kill it :) I will cry though...

Don’t know if a sleeve will help but heat, moisture and an enclosed container seem to be common triggers.

Recently I insulated a garage attic that was un-insulated. I put a thermometer in the attic prior to insulating. On an 80 degree California day attic temperatures exceeded 120 degrees at the peak. Attics are common storage locations for things like razors.

I do not store razors in a garage, store in a well-insulated home, and not in a sealed containers or plastic bags. I store my razors with layers of unbleached paper towels between rows of razors to absorb moisture.

Your best insurance is regular inspection of your collection, a side benefit is you find razors you forgot you had, hone them up and add to the rotation.