Thread: Cell rot

The stuff is chemically unstable and it just gives off gas and breaks down. The earlier the production is the worse it can be. Some of the more "modern" stuff has chemical stabilizers in it to delay the inevitable. Moisture and light and heat are what you want to avoid.

Yup, some of the old classics seem to be pretty much gone. Green Beau Brummels, Otto Deutch Hans and others. Wonderedges and goldedges. Anything faux-tortoise.
Sears craftsmans...
Shrinking Red Imps and rotting Cases. Sad. I keep a close watch on mine with those tendencies. I butter them from time to time with wet silicone.
Makes me feel better.....
Nothing wrong with rescuing blades from them. Some don't stand a chance. JMO

I was looking for the research paper I found and I don't think this is it but it does at least have some real data about celluloid plastics. I think this was something else I found while looking and saved also.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RDc...w?usp=drivesdk

I'll keep looking.

I have had some real beauties in my collection, namely in faux tortoise. There was never any rust, but seeing photos of examples with cell rot made me paranoid and I ended up selling them.

I had better check on a few........

That's one problem with having a large collection. It's hard to keep a close eye on all of them. One would be well advised to check them all on a schedule like programmed maintenance. My Dad said in the Navy they told him you don't swab the deck to get it clean. You swab the deck to keep it clean

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

That's one problem with having a large collection. It's hard to keep a close eye on all of them. One would be well advised to check them all on a schedule like programmed maintenance.

I have about 25 razors so i use them all at least once a month.

I think if any of my razors got the creeping death i would see pretty quick.

As far as i know the DubleDuck Satinedge you sent is the biggest risk, i keep all my razors next to each other in a couple of drawers in my jewellery box, I have heard i should keep the DD separate. I don't but I will keep a close eye on it.

I really hope it doesn't get it because it's my best razor and I would be heartbroken if I had to take those scales off.

Are there any preventative measures?

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

I was looking for the research paper I found and I don't think this is it but it does at least have some real data about celluloid plastics. I think this was something else I found while looking and saved also.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RDc...w?usp=drivesdk

I'll keep looking.

If you search Film (Movies) and Antiques you will find quite a bit of info

One of the biggest reasons for so much different info, is that there are so many different recipes

It really isn't that any of it is "Wrong" it just might not apply to the scales you have in hand

Yeah, I think it was something related to film that I found where there was some real research. Some material you find will say there isn't much data because there is no money for the research. I don't buy that with as much film as there was on celluloid reel. There may not be new research but at one time there was. The big question, as Glen brings up is whether the information is pertinent to the kind used for scales, and there were probably several for that use.

I for one believe that water is a.large contributer so I try to be very thorough with drying blades AND scales and keep silica packets in the drawers with the razors.

These tools were made to be used.
They were not made to last 200 years............