Thread: Gassing Scales

I know some of the razors I've seen in this kind of condition were probably made in the 40's. I don't think there's an absolute life expectancy for this stuff. I'm guessing but I think razors that are enclosed and subject to high heat (like in an attick) and worse, direct sunlight or UV exposure simply start breaking down and once the process starts it's irreversible as far as I know.

For those that don't know, celluloid is properly called "cellulose nitrate". ABOUT CELLULOID

It's chemical composition isn't far removed from gunpowder and it's extremely volatile stuff. It can go up in flames with just a spark or any agressive grinding, such as on a belt sander. Trying to melt it with a match or lighter will result in it immediately bursting into searing flames and generating quite acrid smoke. It is, however, a good product with characteristics that make it ideal for razor handles and is still being used today for a number of applications, including handles for both knives and razors.

Originally Posted by PapaBull

I know some of the razors I've seen in this kind of condition were probably made in the 40's. I don't think there's an absolute life expectancy for this stuff. I'm guessing but I think razors that are enclosed and subject to high heat (like in an attick) and worse, direct sunlight or UV exposure simply start breaking down and once the process starts it's irreversible as far as I know.

For those that don't know, celluloid is properly called "cellulose nitrate". ABOUT CELLULOID

It's chemical composition isn't far removed from gunpowder and it's extremely volatile stuff. It can go up in flames with just a spark or any agressive grinding, such as on a belt sander. Trying to melt it with a match or lighter will result in it immediately bursting into searing flames and generating quite acrid smoke. It is, however, a good product with characteristics that make it ideal for razor handles and is still being used today for a number of applications, including handles for both knives and razors.

Wow...that is really interesting...I would have NEVER guessed that.


how does one shape, grind, and sand celluloid without destroying it then? Or is it simply poured and molded?

You can sand it dry or wet, you just don't want to get it hot so it's safer sanding it wet.

It is safer to grind wet. My sander is a high power job and it will send smoking tracers across the shop almost immediately if I stick the celluloid to it, LOL. I've had the damned stuff burst into acid flames in my hands, too. That sucks. I definitely recommend wet grinding and care needs to be taken even when using a bandsaw on it. I always keep a fire extinguisher close by when working with the stuff.

It is safer to grind wet. My sander is a high power job and it will send smoking tracers across the shop almost immediately if I stick the celluloid to it, LOL. I've had the damned stuff burst into acid flames in my hands, too. That sucks. I definitely recommend wet grinding and care needs to be taken even when using a bandsaw on it. I always keep a fire extinguisher close by when working with the stuff.

Man that is brutal work that celluoid can do to steel.

This might be a reason for me to try out my scale making so this will not be a problem on my one razor. It is not started 'gassing' but it was re-pinned and it was done very sloppily so it is a little loose.

I'm thinking the same thing. I really hate the thought of missing out on some of those nice marbled and cracked ice razors though. I like wood scales a lot anyway. Too bad celluloid does that.

Are the newer scales celluloid or plastic?

Originally Posted by mrcleanhead

I'm thinking the same thing. I really hate the thought of missing out on some of those nice marbled and cracked ice razors though. I like wood scales a lot anyway. Too bad celluloid does that.

Are the newer scales celluloid or plastic?

I have some beautiful celluloid scales that were actually made by Papabull on one of my favorite 8/8 Henckels INOX razors. For the price you just cant get anything more beautiful when it comes to color variation. I like wood too, but when you cant afford ivory, MOP, abolone, or some neat pattern that cant be found naturally Celluloid is the way to go IMO.

Celluloid is still, in my opinion, the premiere synthetic material. It's troublesome to work but is really quite durable and very stable all things considered. Celluloid was first used in the 1870's and there are razors from that period with celluloid scales that are still in very good condition, so I wouldn't get all that worked up over the danger of celluloid rot. It's just something to be aware of. Crossing the street isn't that dangerous if you know to look before crossing. Same thing with celluloid. It isn't bad stuff at all. But it should be kept out of sunlight or heat and should be checked once in a while.

Just a wee bit of esoteric information and cleaning up of loose use (inadvertently I'm sure) of terminology.

Celluloid scales are primarily made of wood...celluloid is mostly processed cellulose; cellulose is one of the primary structural components of wood, the other being lignins. So if you like your celluloid scales...thank a forester . So, is celluloid (a plastic) synthetic or organic? A case could be made either way. BTW, the other common wood based plastic is Rayon.