Thread: Cell rot???

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.

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