Thread: Gassing Scales

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.

This thread is wild, informative, and entertaining.