Thread: Craftsman straight razors?

Originally Posted by PickledNorthern

A little off topic, but is that a trait of cracked ice scales in general? This isn't the first time I have heard that. I have one razor with them that I really like, and the scales look great, but I could care less compared to the blade.

Am I correct that if I am using the razor regularly and paying attention to it, no problem, but maybe don't store it away long term without watching it; maybe store it quarantined? Maybe just rescale the darn thing and not have to worry about it?

Sorry for the hijack.

Yes, the cracked ice scales, and similar designs of vintage scales, are celluloid. As it ages (with heat and sunlight/UV rays as contributing factors), it breaks down chemically, releasing acidic gas that chews up metal. It was an early form of plastic, and is still available for special order online for similar uses.

Originally Posted by Crawler

Yes, the cracked ice scales, and similar designs of vintage scales, are celluloid. As it ages (with heat and sunlight/UV rays as contributing factors), it breaks down chemically, releasing acidic gas that chews up metal. It was an early form of plastic, and is still available for special order online for similar uses.

I hear you about the celluloid, I was just wondering if there was something unique about Cracked Ice scales because they seem to get called out and mentioned about rot more than others. I also see the tortoise shell celluloid scales mentioned a lot. Or is it that a person can take a sideways glance at even the worst picture and know they are celluloid, as opposed to others that could be bone, horn etc???

Or maybe it is like when you buy a car and all of a sudden you notice how many people drive that same car? Buy a razor with cracked ice scales and all of a sudden you are noticing every post about them.

I forgot to mention that if there is EVER any signs of the scales breaking down, or rust on the blade OR pins, it will require quarantine at the very least! Inevitably, it generally leads to rescaling.

One of the members here, possibly Geezer (Richard), maybe Sharpton, I don't recall whom right now... has a nifty display chock full of fancy & pretty scaled SRs that circulates air through it.

The shaving brush in the middle conceals a small fan, and there are vent holes around the diameter.

Originally Posted by PickledNorthern

I hear you about the celluloid, I was just wondering if there was something unique about Cracked Ice scales because they seem to get called out and mentioned about rot more than others. I also see the tortoise shell celluloid scales mentioned a lot. Or is it that a person can take a sideways glance at even the worst picture and know they are celluloid, as opposed to others that could be bone, horn etc???

Or maybe it is like when you buy a car and all of a sudden you notice how many people drive that same car? Buy a razor with cracked ice scales and all of a sudden you are noticing every post about them.

It's been a bit since my primary research into cellrot took place, so I may be off the mark... I think part of the reason those couple of styles of celluloid scales are mentioned so often has to do with the ratios of the chemical makeup of those scales. The solid black celluloid scales don't off-gas as quickly/often is because there is less of the volatile compound.

There are a wealth of threads on the subject here. A search for "cellrot" or variations thereof will bring up several.

Yes, most all Vintage Cracked ice and faux Tortoise can and will break down. Most vintage cracked ice, look very similar, as do tortoise, so the formulas were very similar or they all bought from the same vendor. It has to do with the formulation, white scales are also prone to off gassing, as are translucent and almost never black.

I don’t think anyone really knows, the exact cause, and more importantly, we don’t know the history, of how a vintage razor, has been stored over its lifetime. What, we do know is, light exposure, heat and moisture are causes for Celluloid to kick off, the start of the chemical reaction. Once it starts, there is no cure. I have seen a single razor infect an entire case of razors and knives.

The exact condition most vintage razors have been stored in an Antique store condition or stored in an attic, heat, moisture and lack of ventilation.

If your razor does not show signs of off gassing, shrinkage, (wedge larger than the scale) warping, (one scale shorter) closing off center, smell of burnt eggs, or chemical smell, thin red rust or black oxidation on the blade, or patterned rusting/ blacking on the blade, then you are probably ok. But, watch your storage, keep out of direct sunlight and moisture.

If it starts or you suspect cell rot, segregate it or get the scales off quick. There are no, exact match Cracked Ice scale material, Mascraft does have some very good Tortoise, it is Polyester and is a bit more flexible than Acrylic, but it does look good.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Yes, most all Vintage Cracked ice and faux Tortoise can and will break down. Most vintage cracked ice, look very similar, as do tortoise, so the formulas were very similar or they all bought from the same vendor. It has to do with the formulation, white scales are also prone to off gassing, as are translucent and almost never black.

I don’t think anyone really knows, the exact cause, and more importantly, we don’t know the history, of how a vintage razor, has been stored over its lifetime. What, we do know is, light exposure, heat and moisture are causes for Celluloid to kick off, the start of the chemical reaction. Once it starts, there is no cure. I have seen a single razor infect an entire case of razors and knives.

The exact condition most vintage razors have been stored in an Antique store condition or stored in an attic, heat, moisture and lack of ventilation.

If your razor does not show signs of off gassing, shrinkage, (wedge larger than the scale) warping, (one scale shorter) closing off center, smell of burnt eggs, or chemical smell, thin red rust or black oxidation on the blade, or patterned rusting/ blacking on the blade, then you are probably ok. But, watch your storage, keep out of direct sunlight and moisture.

If it starts or you suspect cell rot, segregate it or get the scales off quick. There are no, exact match Cracked Ice scale material, Mascraft does have some very good Tortoise, it is Polyester and is a bit more flexible than Acrylic, but it does look good.

I need to thank you for that post. I have the one with the cracked ice scales that I mentioned, and was the reason that I was asking..... I read what you said about ivory, warping, spacer bigger than the scale, and I have, (make that had) one like that; an old Tula in ivory color. Well, I hacked that jacket off right away and tossed it; she is going to get a new outfit next weekend, as are the other two with colored celluloid.... Now they are all living in separate rooms..... I swear my OCD half does not like this one little bit....... Just not gonna have them around; quite simple.

Thanks again! [emoji1]

This one arrived today. It's a beauty. [emoji1]

Originally Posted by Mrchick

This one arrived today. It's a beauty. [emoji1]

Could you please provide a closeup of the tang stamp? Thank you.

Originally Posted by Crawler

Could you please provide a closeup of the tang stamp? Thank you.

I really like the looks of that razor.