Rust/corrosion

I'm aware of the normal causes of rust. Ive heard about cell rot. But I have another issue that seems to be tied to an antique razor box. Every razor that goes into this case ends up with rust on it. The inside of the box seems to be made of wood with a red felt lining. The lining is kind of degraded and not in the best shape. Is there anything that is similar to cell rot that is chemically altering the razors in this box? For the record, the box is completely dry, no dampness at all. And I always throw several packs of silica gel in mu boxes anyway. I have two other boxes just like it that don't have this problem. Any ideas as to what could be causing this?

I know of no woods that have corrosive propertys (some may exsist tho) I think you have a razor or razors with cell rot in the early stages and it is gassing off, causing the issues,keep us posted.interesting issue.

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I know of no woods that have corrosive propertys (some may exsist tho) I think you have a razor or razors with cell rot in the early stages and it is gassing off, causing the issues,keep us posted.interesting issue.

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I have one razor that is a total junker. I may place it in ther by itself to see if it's the box or the company they keep. I really think its the box though.

You can test this with some buffed tool steel as well. If it is the box you will know fairly quickly. If not you can systematically place razors in a container with the steel to see which one is causing the fastest reaction.

Forgive me for saying this but you have a fun problem on your hands. The answer will only lead to more questions!

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Originally Posted by WhiskerHarvest

You can test this with some buffed tool steel as well. If it is the box you will know fairly quickly. If not you can systematically place razors in a container with the steel to see which one is causing the fastest reaction.

Forgive me for saying this but you have a fun problem on your hands. The answer will only lead to more questions!

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Buffed tool steel?

Your problem isn’t unique! I was given a nice looking new wooden cigar box that had recently been lined in felt. I’ve always kept my oiled razors in a cabinet in my bathroom and have never had a problem with any type of corrosion. However when I put the razors in the gift box I soon had some tarnish showing on all!! I have no razors with celluloid scales! Wood, horn and plastic only!

After removing the razors and removing the tarnish, and storing side by side as I’d done for years, I’ve never had the problem again!

The gift did not go to waste! I use it to store supplies for cleaning up razors!! :tu

Any steel that has a freshly exposed surface would work but O1 tool steel is probably closest to matching the chemical composition of your razors. You can pick up a small piece at a knife supply store or even use an old tool, like a file. Use some sandpaper to expose a fresh surface to speed up oxidation and place it in the box. This idea was really to test razors individually, it was a control.

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Originally Posted by cudarunner

Your problem isn’t unique! I was given a nice looking new wooden cigar box that had recently been lined in felt. I’ve always kept my oiled razors in a cabinet in my bathroom and have never had a problem with any type of corrosion. However when I put the razors in the gift box I soon had some tarnish showing on all!! I have no razors with celluloid scales! Wood, horn and plastic only!

After removing the razors and removing the tarnish, and storing side by side as I’d done for years, I’ve never had the problem again!

The gift did not go to waste! I use it to store supplies for cleaning up razors!! :tu

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So what do you think the issue there is. The only thing I can think of is that there is something having to do with the glue used to lock it down? The other two boxes I have are also lined with felt. No problems there. Its just this one box. Of course, if I coat the blades with oil they are fine. But any area that you miss will end up a nice shade of brick red. I had one Bengall in there that now will need to have the bevel reset to remove the pitted and corroded metal. I hate to dump the box because it is an antique and cost me some money to buy it. But OTOH, I can’t have it destroy my razors either. If anyone has any diagnosis, I’ll be happy to hear it. I am going to isolate that one junker to the box and see if it starts to attack it.

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Originally Posted by WhiskerHarvest

Any steel that has a freshly exposed surface would work but O1 tool steel is probably closest to matching the chemical composition of your razors. You can pick up a small piece at a knife supply store or even use an old tool, like a file. Use some sandpaper to expose a fresh surface to speed up oxidation and place it in the box. This idea was really to test razors individually, it was a control.

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Ah, ok. Well, I think I use that junker razor that I mentioned. I'm already in possession of that one and don't care if the elements destroy it since its pretty much too far gone at this point anyway.

Remove the scales first,eliminate one possible culprit,keep us posted pls.

I'm not sure if the box is haunted or what but anything that goes in it eventually forms rust/corrosion. The box itself is rotting and crumbling apart. It's in the trash now and I'm looking for a relacement. I put everything that was originally in the box into a cardboard box and nothing was effected. But putting them back int the box had them rusting again. Whatever was giving the razors hell was also destroying the box itself. I put it out of its misery this evening.

You should have burned that evil box!

Thanks for the update, I was just thinking about this the other day when I saw an empty seven day case with red liner come up on eBay.

Very interesting,do you know what the box was made of?

A number of years ago Browning firearms company used walnut that was "fast cured" using a solution of salt. The guns that had what was called "salt wood" typically rusted in hidden locations due to this, they did make good on this by offering replacement of the wood and cleaning up the guns. It may be possible that the wood used in your box was "cured" by this method. If that's the case, the only fix is a new box.

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Originally Posted by Paul38

A number of years ago Browning firearms company used walnut that was "fast cured" using a solution of salt. The guns that had what was called "salt wood" typically rusted in hidden locations due to this, they did make good on this by offering replacement of the wood and cleaning up the guns. It may be possible that the wood used in your box was "cured" by this method. If that's the case, the only fix is a new box.

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Man do I remember that debacle.I ordered a very spendy light 20 O.U about 25 yrs ago.
When the dealer called I went down to pick it up,was the ugliest wood I have ever seen on any gun,it was yellow and the checkering was all pithey.
Told him to send it back,was total crap.