Thread: Modern Scale Composition?

Plastic scales, specifically.

Are they still celluloid?

Is there a risk of out-gassing fouling the blade of a brand new Dovo Best Quality?

I think that actually are abs plastic(for dovo)....

I don't know about any modern celluloid being used in razors. Might be better posted in the workshop forum

Crawler,

The scales on the Dovo Special (Tortoiseshell) are a bit interesting - they have a coating on the inside (some form of lacquer ?), and it has been said that these may be cellulose (acetate) : I can't remember where I read that though

My 6/8 Special definitely has the coating on the inside of the scales.

Have fun

Best regards

Russ

Thank you for the responses thus far.

I figured, due to it's volatile nature, Celluloid was rarely used as a plastic type substance.

Though it didn't 100% answer my curiosity, Wikipedia reinforced my above thought of it's current market share.

Also, Russ: per Wikipedia's page for celluloid, as noted in the section of its use in the film industry, acetate is different from celluloid.

Celluloid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

See: Uses.

Edit: What even confused me in the first place, was a SR being sold (I think by private party)said it was either new, or recently purchased newand barely used, with celluloid scales. I assumed this person didn't really know wet shaving very well. Though it appears I'm correct, assumptions will get you in trouble every time if you act on them. So I posted here to get a more seasoned view of the matter.

The modern black plastic handles are ABS plastic.
Modern faux tortoise plastic is usually acrylic, although I have seen one polycarbonate faux tortoise.

I don't believe that celluloid has any modern application (someone will correct me if I am wrong) . It's interesting a I was a projectionist in the early 80's occasionally *almost* ran celluloid film- very dangerous.. thus "don't yell fire in a theater".. I was briefed thoroughly on it (we were union and licensed), almost ran it, never did. Told it would continue burning under water..projection both had elaborate safety..

Edit: or heck, am I wrong, was it nitrate???

Originally Posted by criswilson10

The modern black plastic handles are ABS plastic.
Modern faux tortoise plastic is usually acrylic, although I have seen one polycarbonate faux tortoise.

It is possible there is also celluloid Faux Torotis scale material in existance. Masecraft used to carry celluloid for scales, Faux MOP. I used it once and the blade rusted within a few days of pinning. Never again.

Celluloid is cellulose nitrate made with nitrocellulose (guncotton) and camphor. It was replaced in the film industry with cellulose acetate which is supposedly more similar to rayon. Among other uses, nitrocellulose was an ingredient in many versions of smokeless gunpowder. It was combined with stuff like nitroglycerine for double and triple based powders, Disolved, it is also the primary comment in nitrocellulose lacquer, still the preferred finish for high end electric guitars. The Wikipedia entry said that most faux tortoise shell today is acrylic or some other form of thermoplastic, but that bleached and re-colored cow horn has been used in the past because it has some of the same "plastic" properties as shell.

The only thing I have heard of for celluloid in modern times is a pen manufacturer who does high end stuff who used it. Was a youtube vid I think from memory where I saw it