Thread: Cell rot

Hi all,

I was wondering what causes cell rot.

I thought my prized DubleDuck has it and and i nearly messed myself. I put my glasses on and realized i was seeing things thank goodness.

Information is sketchy and not well documented. Most information is anecdotal and not well supported by actual research. I did actually find some real research but I would have to find it. One thing that I remember being true among the things reported is that moisture plays a large part.

Originally Posted by STF

Hi all,

I was wondering what causes cell rot.

I thought my prized DubleDuck has it and and i nearly messed myself. I put my glasses on and realized i was seeing things thank goodness.

Steve, it's my understanding is that the old cells break down and it's not IF but When.

Certain scales were very susceptible to it. I've had a few that were starting to break down. I could see some darkening so I pulled the razor, polished the blade up and then put it in a ziplock bag. I left it for a week and sure as hell it had started breaking down in the same area.

I just pulled the scales and put on some horn ones that happened to fit.

It happens.

my understanding is that Celluloid gives off a gas as it deteriorates which causes the rust. I have a DD Goldedge with original scales and no problems yet. Some would call me crazy to not keep it separate from my other razors.

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