Hot pin test accuracy?

Hi folks,

I took a stab at an eBay offering that had ivory colored scales, no washers, and seemed to be dated appropriately (by the seller). I received the razor today and applied the hot pin test...heated a pin to glowing red and touched it to the inside of the scales. It smelled like burning hair. The scales are the thinnest I've ever seen, and are somewhat warped. Does the burning hair scent absolutely mean ivory? Pics attached.

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The blade itself had a mirror finish and doesn't appear to be dremeled to bits to make it appear to be clean; there's a small amount of black at the pin but the stamp is so thin, it doesn't show any drag from a buffing wheel.

Thoughts?

In my opinion, 99% likely that is ivory.

I’ve never tried the pin test, but I've read that it will smell like hair. Made of the same or similar stuff IIRC. As you noted, the vintage stuff is a lot thinner than celluloid, and genuine ivory will have random grain. It may be easily seen, or you may need to turn it in the light to catch it. Faux ivory has consistent grain. Dunno about straightening those, guys in the workshop could probably tell you.

It is super difficult to see any grain, really. Despite the high polish, there is some wave to the surface, and I can see what might be grain under bright light. But it's late and my eyes are tired.

I'm not worried about straightening, as the blade itself doesn't hit the scales until the spine comes to rest.

That is ivory, no doubt. For ivory scales, those are on the thicker side of the spectrum. As for the warp, I have found ivory doesn't really warp all that much, my bet is on a bent pivot pin exerting uneven stress. A careful re-pinning should take care of that, but if it's not a problem I wouldn't worry too much about it. Although I would re-pin it, of course, after cleaning out the pivot area.

But yes, it seems like you got yourself a very clean specimen, congratulations.

Just by looking at it, I'm with Pithor, they look Ivory to me. Congrats on a nice score!

I think the hot pin test will only really tell you (in and of itself) whether you have plastic or not. Many materials smell like burning hair when you burn them: hair (:D), horn, toenails, ivory.

I'm not saying you have a toenail-scaled razor there (though now that I think about it, that would be sort of cool in a gross way). I also agree it is most likely ivory.

That's given me a thought actually (uh oh). What if unscrupulous people layered the inside of their otherwise plastic ivory-look scales with a thin coating of toenail-based resinous material? That would fool the hot pin test would it not? Oh no, wait, the resinous bit would probably melt I suppose. Anyway, enjoy your razor.

James.

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Originally Posted by Jimbo

That's given me a thought actually (uh oh). What if unscrupulous people layered the inside of their otherwise plastic ivory-look scales with a thin coating of toenail-based resinous material? That would fool the hot pin test would it not? Oh no, wait, the resinous bit would probably melt I suppose. Anyway, enjoy your razor.

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Melt the toenail pieces with Methyl Ethyl Ketone until it is a gel. Pour the gel into a mold. Heat the mold in a vacuum and bam, gross toenail scales that would pass the pin test.

OK, I know what I'm doing with all my nail clippings from now on. I wonder if Bruno is up for another challenge....?

James.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by criswilson10

Melt the toenail pieces with Methyl Ethyl Ketone until it is a gel. Pour the gel into a mold. Heat the mold in a vacuum and bam, gross toenail scales that would pass the pin test.

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Is there no limit to the science-fair type projects that can be built around MEK as long as you don't care about the long term side effects?

Agreed. Without a doubt those are genuine toe nail scales! A rare specimen indeed. Lol.

Joking aside, from the pictures they look to be ivory to me.