What is happening here?

[Kees]

Please have a look at the pictures. i bought this razor new couple of years ago. Never used it, has been living in a dry drawer in a dry room.
As you can see one side of the blade is rusty, handle on same side is not. Other side only minimal rust. Took it out for inspection about half a year ago when the blade was still pristine. Is this celluloid rot? Why only on one side? The razor has been stored in the plastic thingy.

[DZEC]

Is there any discolouration on the inside of the scales? If not, then I don’t think it’s cel rot.

It is likely there was humidity trapped in the plastic wrapper and what you have is surface rust. Try using some metal cleaner like Maas, Autosol or Flitz and very fine steel wool to clean it up. If there is no pitting, it should be OK. Be careful of the edge and around the gilding on the show side of the blade.

[BobH]

Do the scales give off a funny odour like camphor? I believe that is one of the tells for cell rot.

Bob

[Kees]

There is a rust-colored discoloration on the scales, especially the inside. Have tried but could not smell any vinegar or camphor-like smell.

[Kees]

Is there any discolouration on the inside of the scales? If not, then I don’t think it’s cel rot.

It is likely there was humidity trapped in the plastic wrapper and what you have is surface rust. Try using some metal cleaner like Maas, Autosol or Flitz and very fine steel wool to clean it up. If there is no pitting, it should be OK. Be careful of the edge and around the gilding on the show side of the blade.

If humidity would be the cause, how do you explain the fact there is so much more rust on one side?

[Bill31521]

It appears that the blade was not oiled sufficiently and moisture got it somehow. I use clippercide for all my blades and even after several years they are holding up with no issues. Using a heavier oil like mineral oil or frog lube would make them stay pristine imo for at least 10 years. Oil keeps moisture out but if the surface has any moisture it can be locked in. I would look now to see how to remedy this. I store my razors in leather rolls and check them every year or so. Wipe them down and reoil. Works for me.

[RezDog]

That is part of why I go with VCI for storage items. There is a wide variety of VCI products available. Stuff that is stored con either be wrapped in paper or an emitter placed in the area. I have emitters in my safe and display cases and things stored in plastic boxes have both a desiccant bag and paper. I think the theory is that the down side rusts because there is worse air circulation there. Tools in tool chests here often rust on the down side. For that I have VCI drawer liners.

[Euclid440]

Yea, I would say it is probably early signs of cell rot. Vintage white faux Ivory, tortoise and translucent scales are notorious for cell rot.

The plastic sheath may have contributed to the conditions that kicked it off. Especially if the drawer was exposed to direct sunlight. Heat and moisture in enclosed space seems to be a kicker. Cell rot can take on different patterns and usually starts in a single spot and spreads, so not unusual that it is heavier on one side.

I doubt that metal polish will remove it all. I would cut off the rust with a sharp single edge razor blade and use some 000 or 0000 steel wool and oil to remove as much as possible.

Then try a clean piece of 0000 and a good metal polish. If staining persist sand with 1k wet and dry, 600 if needed.

Store it out of the plastic sleave and with the blade lightly oiled. I have had good luck cleaning the insides of the scales well with steel wool wrapped coffee stir stick and sand with600 and 1k wet and dry, again wrapped around a stir stick and a couple coats of Renaissance Wax.

I have also been using Frog Lube on blades for long term storage on razors and tools that seems to be working well. It is a waterproof firearm lubricant/protectant that penetrates the metal. It is not that expensive and a little goes a long way.

I have also in the past use automotive paint sealers with good results. I use Menzerna on my cars paint. With Automotive sealers and with Frog lube the surfaces must be super clean, acetone for metal and clay bar and polishing compounds for paint.
Wax can be applied over sealers for added protection.

[TristanLudlow]

Yea, I would say it is probably early signs of cell rot.

Agreed, I have inherited razors that were stored in humid areas for half a century that looked much different than this corrosion wise, it doesn't add up.

I don't buy that it's solely from moisture, I agree with cell rot. Cell rot sealed in a plastic bag on top of it.

[hatzicho]

Are both scale sides made of the same material? How was the razor stored, the rusty side downwards or upwards?

Regards Peter