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I picked this up a couple weeks ago and posted a quick thread on it and someone mentioned cell rot (can't remember who) and I wanted to get opinions. I have 40 or so razors but I tend to avoid problem razors so I have been lucky enough to avoid this experience. Good news is, I am not out much if its a loss. Nothing abnormal about this razor from any other as far as I can tell. Thanks in advance.
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Absolutely no expert on cell rot but I do not think you are looking at a case of it with that razor. I do think you will have to hone quite a bit of metal away to get to good steel because of the rust on and near the edge though.
Bob
Looks more like bad care from the pics
Cell Rot is usually more defined
Keeping in mind that the most devious aspect of cell rot is that it has few rules since there were so many recipes for Celluloid over the years :(
I agree with the above. It does not look like cell rot.
Are those scales celluloid? They look more like a vulcanite.
Hard to say from the photos, are the scales shrinking? Look at the wedge and the bolsters for shrinkage or misalignment when closing, where one scale is shrinking more than the other.
Are the scales translucent? They are notorious as are some marble, cracked ice and tortoise patterns.
If I suspect one I clean it well and remove the rust with 000 or 0000 steel wool, then put in a Zip lock bag and put is some where you can keep an eye on it. If you see light rust developing on the edge or anywhere on it… Take photos, measurements, tracings and un pin it.
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
Sharpton can I get that at the local hardware store?Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
Likely an auto parts/body shop supplier. NAPA, etc. Stuff is awesome on rubber, vinyl, some plastics.Quote:
Originally Posted by Redcane
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.
^^^I never thought of that, I am adding the stuff to my shopping list:)
I agree with the others Kyle. I don't think it is cell rot, rather abuse such as not stored properly or in an area with moisture around but keep an eye on it. The silicone lube like Tom mentioned is a good thing to use. I have some & it works great! Some of that with a piece of 0000 steel wool should clean 'er up, then polish it with some Maas, Mothers or Flitz.
I'm just going to disagree with everyone else in this thread so far.
It IS rust from outgassing nitric acid, and I am completely certain of it since I have the exact same model of Engels razor (it's an ASTOUNDINGLY good shaver, BTW!)
However, all cell rot is not the same, and those scales are comparatively very stable. If you carefully polish out the rust and hone it up you should be fine. Specifically, yours is much darker celluloid than the one I have (though the scales are no more -- they shattered when I unpinned them). Darker celluoid, when not put under extremes of heat or light, tends to be more resistant to the sort of decomposition that turns a nice razor into a fuzzy collection of iron oxide.
Put into service, especially if you take Sharptonn's advice, you'll probably be fine. Just keep an eye on it.
Well, Zak, that was my assessment also as it was shown in a previous thread. It could very well have been infected by a neighbor in close proximity as well. As I said earlier, the scales look dry and without any of the common 'personality', which is also a sign.
Engels Leaders have the distinction of no two scales being exactly alike. The way the Cell was mixed in the mold lends the patterns to resemble wood-grain to streaked horn. I have had several and all were quite different.
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Would this be the same as WD-40 or Jigaloo (I think the white jigaloo is silicone base)?Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
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.
Yeah. The one I had looked like the type specimen for fake wood. Just like you say, very different pattern (and I've got busted up scales from 3-4 different ones), and Kyle's does indeed look kinda drab compared to the ones I've handled.Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptonn
I suppose, really, the main thing is: don't store it with other razors. Get a nice paper coffin box and keep it in that (I think I've got one if you want it -- that is, an Engles paper coffin).
Indeed, Zak, this is why I display my razors with the blades open and keep an eye out.
BTW, this one got a cleaning and a good slathering with the silicone all night before being returned to my display case. ;)
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