Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
Like Tree8Likes

Thread: Hot pin test accuracy?

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Helmetta, NJ
    Posts
    439
    Thanked: 56

    Default 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.

    Name:  stamp.jpg
Views: 408
Size:  43.5 KBName:  razor.jpg
Views: 387
Size:  45.0 KBName:  edge.jpg
Views: 343
Size:  17.4 KB

    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?

  2. #2
    Senior Member criswilson10's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Easley, SC, USA
    Posts
    1,861
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    In my opinion, 99% likely that is ivory.
    engine46 and Moonshae like this.
    Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead - Charles Bukowski

  3. #3
    Senior Member blabbermouth JimmyHAD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    32,564
    Thanked: 11042

    Default

    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.
    engine46 likes this.
    Be careful how you treat people on your way up, you may meet them again on your way back down.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Helmetta, NJ
    Posts
    439
    Thanked: 56

    Default

    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.

  5. #5
    Mental Support Squad Pithor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Finland
    Posts
    1,026
    Thanked: 291

    Default

    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.
    Steel likes this.

  6. #6
    Senior Member blabbermouth engine46's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Republic of Texas
    Posts
    7,810
    Thanked: 1744
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

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

  7. #7
    There is no charge for Awesomeness Jimbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Maleny, Australia
    Posts
    7,977
    Thanked: 1587
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    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 (), 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.
    Steel likes this.
    <This signature intentionally left blank>

  8. #8
    Senior Member criswilson10's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Easley, SC, USA
    Posts
    1,861
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jimbo View Post
    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.
    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.
    Jimbo and MJC like this.
    Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead - Charles Bukowski

  9. #9
    There is no charge for Awesomeness Jimbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Maleny, Australia
    Posts
    7,977
    Thanked: 1587
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default

    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.
    <This signature intentionally left blank>

  10. #10
    MJC
    MJC is offline
    Senior Member MJC's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    The Lone Star State
    Posts
    1,710
    Thanked: 382

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by criswilson10 View Post
    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.
    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?
    criswilson10 likes this.
    Support Movember!
    Movember https://mobro.co/markcastellana?mc=1
    SRP Team USA https://moteam.co/srp-usa?mc=1

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •