Thread: Cell rot???

The rust on the back of the spine would be unusual for cell rot though not impossible. I agree it looks more like more natural corrosion.

Gents,

Thank you for the advice. I honestly thought was miss care until it was mentioned in another post. I did exactly as Marty said. The rust came of with zero effort so I think honing it might not be as bad as I thought. Still have to remove some medal but it should work out.

Marty it centers really well and the wedge and Bolsters look like they haven't ever moved to the point of, you can't feel them while running your finger across them.

rolodave I am not sure but I think it is a pretty common Leader model (I have seen plenty just like them) so hopefully someone can weigh in on the scales.

I will leave it in the bag and see what happens.

Cell rot usually has a very defined line between what's in the scales and what's not

Clean it up and use it, just keep it (and all celluloid) where it can get some air exchanges and keep an eye out.
Nice blade, looks better than the previous pics. 6/8?

Those scales DO look dry, however!
I am a big proponent of cleaning and slathering them with 3M silicone! Soaks in and makes them pop.
Seems to restore and keep them new-looking

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Those scales DO look dry, however!
I am a big proponent of cleaning and slathering them with 3M silicone! Soaks in and makes them pop.
Seems to restore and keep them new-looking

Sharpton can I get that at the local hardware store?

Originally Posted by Redcane

Sharpton can I get that at the local hardware store?

Likely an auto parts/body shop supplier. NAPA, etc. Stuff is awesome on rubber, vinyl, some plastics.
The door gaskets of the car! Keeps them like new.
Old celluloid seems to drink it up. Been using it for a number of years with great results.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Those scales DO look dry, however!
I am a big proponent of cleaning and slathering them with 3M silicone! Soaks in and makes them pop.
Seems to restore and keep them new-looking

Would this be the same as WD-40 or Jigaloo (I think the white jigaloo is silicone base)?

It looks like rust to me. Might have to hone back a bit. Or try sanding it out. With my experience with rust that close to the edge it will have to be honed down a bit more than you probably want to.

There certainly is rust on the blade. That's not really in contention. Whether it was caused by cell rot, which is fixed by scale replacement, or by mishandling, the blade has to be restored in the same manner. Given that the rust is not bad, the blade should be able to be cleaned up just fine and the extent of the honing will be determined as the honer goes along. Given how light the corrosion is, I doubt it will take much honing to get to good steel.