Thread: Stinking Scales

One of my razors starts smelling funky after I've held it in my hands for a little while. I believe it might be because the scales get heated up by my hands, but I don't have this problem with any of my other razors. I was told the handle was plastic, and it does look that way.

That razor is sharp and shaves well, alas it stinks... Any advice would be appreciated.

Could be deteriorating celluloid in which case you want to take them off ASAP. Otherwise they'll corrode the metal.

Does it smell like ammonia? that's a good clue that the celluloid is deteriorating.

At any rate, it's a good excuse for some spiffy horn or antler scales.

God only knows what its doing to your skin

Plastic wouldn't smell. Its probably Celluloid. I had a Bone scale made from oryx which whenever it got wet smelled like rotten eggs but I was told that happens when they are freshly made. After awhile it stopped doing it anyway.

Bakelite aslo produces an odour when it gets heated up a bit. Rubbing a piece and checking for the smell is one way to id bakelite. I don't know how much bakelite was used in straights though.

I would go with celluloid, but the other options should be considered.

I highly doubt it's celluloid, but I'm keeping it away from my other razors for now. I'll check with the guy who sold me the razor and see if he knows anything about it.

Good luck Alf. Worst case scenario you make a nice new set of scales for it

That was before you had a look at my hand crafty skills. If I could program a set of scales, now that would be a different matter.

You can always use a CAM program