Thread: Can I "de-smoke" a razor? (smell)

So, I bought a Clauss and it smells absolutely HORRIBLE. Smells so bad I nearly want to throw it away.

Is there a way to clean the scales to get rid of the smell of smoke? If not, I'm going to have it rescaled... Jesus they smell...

Originally Posted by ctufano

So, I bought a Clauss and it smells absolutely HORRIBLE. Smells so bad I nearly want to throw it away.

Is there a way to clean the scales to get rid of the smell of smoke? If not, I'm going to have it rescaled... Jesus they smell...

What are the scales made out of?

If you can't get the smoke smell out, you could always sell the razor to someone who's trying to kick the nic habit; they could just lick the scales as an alternative to using the patch.

Chris L

Are you sure its smoke, hard to imagine smoke inundating the scale material that badly, unless they survived a house fire. Have you tried washing them with a paste of baking soda and water? What kind of smoke smell?

I have a Genco with black hard rubber scales, which smell like tires, which isn't great. By any chance, is that what yours smells like?

yep it is straight up smoke. it has oil on it from when it got shipped, so maybe thats holding the smell... im going to wash it tonight... it smells like someone held it to their mouth as they smoked atleast 2 cartons lol

Originally Posted by SteveS

I have a Genco with black hard rubber scales, which smell like tires, which isn't great. By any chance, is that what yours smells like?

Yup, I used Maas/Flitz to polish some black hard rubber scales on a razor last year and no smoke smell before polishing, but ever since, burnt rubber that won't go away.

Chris L

I'm not an expert - but from what I've read here, when scales go bad or "gas" and start to rot, they give off a bad odor. Like rotten eggs from what I've heard. This can damage the blade. So just to be safe, you may want to toss them.

Jordan

Yeh, I think I'm goin to have it rescaled

Originally Posted by jnich67

I'm not an expert - but from what I've read here, when scales go bad or "gas" and start to rot, they give off a bad odor. Like rotten eggs from what I've heard. This can damage the blade. So just to be safe, you may want to toss them.

Jordan

There's an interesting article on the decomposition of celluloid regarding old blades here that states,

"Whenever I purchase a celluloid handled knife, I await the day that decomposition and destruction of the handle will start. The decomposition can take many forms. The most noticeable is the rusting of the knife blade or metal parts of the knife. If you open the blade of a suspect celluloid handled knife, you will note rust or a rust stain on the upper part of the blade (opposite the blade edge), while the balance of the blade will not be rusted. Without care the whole blade will rust. The next problem associated with celluloid handles will be the self destruction of the handle itself; it will shrink, crack and crumble on the frame of the knife. I have tried numerous tricks to save a celluloid handle, but to no avail." - ibdennis, Oregon Knife Club

you might try some fabreeze!!!