Thread: Preventing cell rot

Newb here. I've read a lot about cell rot and seen many posts about how to spot it, what causes it, and what to do if you have a razor with it, but I can't seem to find any posts (I've looked) about how to prevent it.

I have a razor from the mid to late 1800s that I bought in the classifieds here from wolfpack34 (thanks again Mike!) that I'm pretty sure has celluloid scales and I absolutely love it. It is rot free and I want to keep it that way.

Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks,
Mike

The razor I speak of:

There is no way to prevent it. Some say keeping the razor in a cool dry and dark environment can help delay the process however you simply will never have any positive way of knowing what will set it off. If you have celluloid scales you simply must check those razors periodically (which to me means every 3-4 months minimum) and if you see issues isolate that razor and be ready to remove the scales.

Hi, Mike.

The celluloid of your razor is apparently of very high quality, which translates into stability. If it would decay, it would have been decayed already (Is my phrasing correct? It's a tought one for a non-native). Keep your razor far from light, on a ventilated environment, and your blade will be safe, but keep an eye on it.
I love this material (faux ivory), have some Heljestrands with faux ivory scales, and I just keep them on a lidless surgical instruments inox box in a drawer outside the bathroom. They are perfect.

Thanks for the replies guys. So I guess it's safe to assume that if you have a 100+ year old razor with celluloid scales that doesn't have cell rot, as long as you take proper care of it, chances are it will live a lot longer with it's original scales?

Yes, but keep it exposed to open air, away from ketones (nail polish remover), ammonia and sunlight and check it often. My Heljes and Caudano (with a darker ivoroid) are kept on duty, so once in a week every one moisten, shave and dry.

Sorry, but I can't agree. Celluloid can start to gas at any time. The age is immaterial. I've had celluloid scales on razors 80 years old that were in perfect condition and one day upon checking the signs of rot were unmistakeable.

There are some more prone than others. The clear material is highly prone and scales made in the early 20th century and very late 19th are also highly prone.

If you assume yours are going to be safe that could be a serious and costly mistake.

thebigspendur is right! We only can try to retard the process with some procedures. As I told you, keep it ventilated to not accumulate any gas if the scales start to decay, and check it often for the signs. Be always ready to take them off.

FWW. I have found that even with good scales, the quality of the celluloid wedge is suspect. I have seen quite a few razors eaten at the tip from a bad wedge!
Color of the wedge does not make any difference. The photo is just what happened to a razor my collector friend had after a couple months since last inspection.
HESS and Droesher owners especially beware!
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

FWW. I have found that even with good scales, the quality of the celluloid wedge is suspect. I have seen quite a few razors eaten at the tip from a bad wedge!
Color of the wedge does not make any difference. The photo is just what happened to a razor my collector friend had after a couple months since last inspection.
HESS and Droesher owners especially beware!
~Richard

YIKES !!! I bet they weren't too impressed.

I lost a 1980's DOVO with faux tortoise shell to cell rot. IIRC Lynn once posted that especially faux tortoise is prone to celluloid rot.