Thread: Dorko 66 just came my way!

Originally Posted by Substance

[but both are nice scores by the way for inherited blades

Yes i count myself to be very lucky!
i showed him a picture and he said i have one of those at home i will see if i can find it.
he has been extremely generous giving me two.
He said he has a third somewhere but hasnt found it yet.
He just wants to see them have use rather than sit around and i am greatfull for that.

yep, that cell rot alright. Those scales need to go. It's going to depend on how deep those rust pits are. I don't think that blade will ever look like new again.

That does look like cell rot. If I think a set of scales has cell rot I remove the blade and put a crappy test one that is free of rust in the scales. I then stick it in a plastic zip loc bag and set it aside in a dry spot for a couple days. If the blade has formed rust spots on it after that I usually throw out the scales unless there are inlays in which case I remove those first. If you don't have a crappy blade to test it on you can clean off the rust and set it aside and if new rust has formed the scales will have to go. I would remove the inlay first though so you can transfer it. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Baxxer

When the celluloid breaks down it releases gases that corrode the metal, it's irreversible and it is contagious so if you have a razor that you think may have cell rot you should keep it separated from any other razors with celluloid scales.

This. Pay attention to the part about segregating the offending scales from other celluloid scales or you may end up with a crop of cell rotted razors.

I only have two and they are in seperate places.
i would like to do my best to save this blade and am looking to get it sorted as soon as possible.
ifyou run your finger over the rust you cant feel it, it has not pitted the blade that i can physically feel.

I was a boat builder for a few years and can sharpen my chisels well enough to cleanly take the hair off my arm so i understand the reality of edge contamination in relation to it being sharp nor keeping an edge at all if there was any pitting.

i am hoping this razor can be saved, even purely for sentimental value because it was passed on into my care.

Originally Posted by ADG638

i am hoping this razor can be saved, even purely for sentimental value because it was passed on into my care.

I'd bet the blade can be saved, though it may show signs of the previous pitting. The scales I fear are goners. Transferring the inlays and recreating the scales may be your best bet. It certainly is a honey of a razor.

Surprised that no one's linked this video yet, here's how member Gssixgun removes inlays from celluloid scales, not sure if the acetone will do anything to the red paint?/enamel? so that might be something to take into consideration.

Shame about the cell rot. Good advice above, I would definitely follow it. That razor was a real looker in it's day and still can be. The Dorkos are wonderful razors.

Just thought I'd update this if anyone was interested.
I've sent the Dorko away to be looked at
I got an email this morning that it has been on the Hones and there is good steel there!
More work to be done yet, polishing next.
Fingers crossed this razor can be returned to a usable good looking regular use item.
2 of these pictures you can see the cell rot damage to the blade edge and 1 after honing showing a new straight un jagged edge to start with.
Thanks to Glen, Gssixgun for attempting to restore this for me.

Bloody nice save! Congrats on "reclaiming" your razor!