Thread: Plastic scales scratched

I've read about cell rot and I wonder, I have quite a few blades sitting in scales where the plastic is damaged. The coating over it is scratched or gone in some places so I wonder if it's a risk to leave it that way (cell rot / gasses etc.) or should I put a coating over it?


Never really thought about it before

If you are sure it's plastic, plastic does not rot. I've never seen a coating on plastic either unless it's some commercial product where they put some metal looking coating on it which is common but not on razors.

Plastic is soft and can be polished out with a cape cod polishing cloth.

Good question!
If the plastic in transparent colors or crackle looking cover over a white inside, the scales may be in doubtful condition.

Some molded plastics also can be iffy. The ones mentioned above are the usual culprits.

Also, the makers, especially "Double Duck" often used a cheaper brand of celluloid in the wedges. Some will show signs of shrinkage on one or both scales. Red Imp can be often really bad. Twisted or bent scales are a clue also.

Look for a slight brown haze on the blade where it closes or is inside of the scales or at the end of the blade. If so, you do have some evidence of cell rot.

The best is to remove the blades from such scales and re-scale them. But keep them away from any other razors, they can corrode even nearby carbon steel.

There are numerous threads on "cell rot" so further searching may be necessary, there were some "fixes" also suggested. No long term results were mentioned.
JMO, YMMV
~Richard

I'm not quite sure what material it is, it's the most common type of black razor scales among my razors. (aside from the natural ones)

One of my Ralf Aust's has a broken off piece near the pivot, on the site it says black synthetic scales, so I'm not sure.

On the Revisor site under spare parts it mentions "thermoplastic" for the typical black scales, looks like a shiny coating on top and where it's scratched or broken it exposes a duller black underneath.


Haven't noticed anything that hints to cell rot though

Since they are new...since the 60's there are probably no problems at all. Then plastic polish would work well.
~Richard
Older Black scales are often Hard Rubber or Bakelite.
Toothpaste and then plastic polish car polish will work well on them also.

Yea, those wouldn't be celluloid. That's modern plastic so don't worry about rot.