Thread: Celluloid scales and durability...

Hello,

I am considering purchasing a Boker King Cutter with celluloid scales as my first straight razor. There is a disclaimer on The Superior Shave website for every straight razor with celluloid scales:

"AS USUAL, CELLULOID'S NOT VERY DURABLE; to preserve, NEVER open the blade more than ~2/3rds of a circle, & NEVER squeeze on the handle near the pivot-it'll crack if you do either of these things, but give it the respect of NEVER violating those two axioms and you'll be richer and fine."

Should I be overly concerned with this warning? I am new to straight razor shaving and I don't want to destroy the scales of a new razor accidentally. If they are as brittle/fragile as indicated in the aforementioned warning should I be considering a razor with wood scales instead.

Your experience and advice is most welcome.

Thanks,

Rob

Celluloid was the first plastic other than horn. The main complaint is that celluloid can outgas an acid so the razor suffers. The issue of breakage and cracking are a part of the drying out of the plastic.
I have quite a few that have had no problems. and I found a couple that are toast!

All that said, if the razor blade looks good an the scales are reasonable, and the price is right...why not. The blade can always be rescaled later if wanted.
YMMV
~Richard

Originally Posted by Geezer

Celluloid was the first plastic other than horn. The main complaint is that celluloid can outgas an acid so the razor suffers. The issue of breakage and cracking are a part of the drying out of the plastic.
I have quite a few that have had no problems. and I found a couple that are toast!

All that said, if the razor blade looks good an the scales are reasonable, and the price is right...why not. The blade can always be rescaled later if wanted.
YMMV
~Richard

Richard,

Thank you for your response.

This would be a brand new Boker King Cutter so I doubt the off-gassing would be much of a concern. My concern is the durability of the scale material. I've no doubt that the blade would be fine but that disclaimer implies that customers have made past complaints about the scales cracking near the pivot and I don't want to have to re-scale the blade prematurely.

Thanks,

Rob

I have never had a celluloid scale crack at the pivot. I've seen that happen more with Ivory or thin wood scales. With Celluloid it's the deterioration that is the issue.

I read that a couple of times now and haven't figured it out yet


2/3 of the way open ??? does that even allow for the standard hold ???

Stropping and Honing position is 1/2 or 180° right ???

Walking away confused by these new rules that seem to come out of nowhere ***SMH***

I'll add that the main cause of scales cracking at the pivot is that the pinning is too tight and followed by a buildup of gunge at the pivot.
~Richard

I'm a bit surprised they still use celluloid for scales, I figured they would use something a bit sturdier nowadays.

Originally Posted by Pithor

I'm a bit surprised they still use celluloid for scales, I figured they would use something a bit sturdier nowadays.

Yeah, I figured a modern plastic/polymer, mikarta, etc.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I read that a couple of times now and haven't figured it out yet


2/3 of the way open ??? does that even allow for the standard hold ???

Stropping and Honing position is 1/2 or 180° right ???

Walking away confused by these new rules that seem to come out of nowhere ***SMH***

I think they mean 240 degrees but I am not sure.

Originally Posted by edhewitt

I think they mean 240 degrees but I am not sure.

See that was what I was thinking but a standard hold is at about 270° hence ***SMH***