Thread: Does this Puma have scale rot?

Originally Posted by AlanII

From those pictures the rust only appears to be on one side which seems odd if the condition is so contagious.

edit: changed mind.

I agree with AlanII now.

Time for some schooling:

1. What exactly is cell/scale rot? I assume it's a breakdown of the material?

2. What causes it?

3. Does it only affect celluloid scales, or can others be affected?

4. Staining on the blade where it's covered by the scales seems to be one sign, Glen mentioned looking, smelling, testing - what exactly are you looking for here? What would be an example of a positive test?

5. The best course of action then would be to ditch the scales and rescale the blade?

Thanks everyone!

Bill's Straight Razor Info: Celluloid Rot

Originally Posted by smythe

Here is another with cell rot.


If the above link does not work try this:
Antique / Vintage PUMA SOLINGEN Straight Razor GERMAN - eBay (item 320360553118 end time Apr-22-09 06:28:00 PDT)

I examined that auction again and it does not like cell rot to me. Like AlanII said, the corrosion is only really on one side. Plus it goes all up and down the entire width of the razor, extending beyond the scales. And there is no noticeable pattern to the corrosion.

While that is certainly a Puma in very poor condition with a bunch of surface rust, I'm leaning towards not scale rot. Also leaning towards not cell rot on the Puma I posted about.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Bill's Straight Razor Info: Celluloid Rot

Thanks Leighton!

Yes, cell rot can start in one scale and not the other… I have had at least 2 razors in my collection with this symptom. When celluloid brakes down, an acidic gas is released (an oxide of nitrogen). If you have a look at the enlarged photos of the face of the blade, you will see the tarnish is concentrated in a spotting pattern along the belly and edge where the scale covers, on the other side of the blade the tarnish is a misting pattern because the gas is diffused as it moves away from the source.

Cell rot contagious?
While I have nothing but the utmost respect for the man, I will now risk being attacked by Billy’s followers, and ask you to think about this little example…

We have a collection of razors all in the same container. The scales on one razor starts to decompose, the gas because it is more concentrated at the source vigorously attacks the blade installed in that scale, the gas slowly spreads out to attack the steel of nearby razors, nearest will show advanced tarnish and those further away are much less… because the gas is less concentrated the further is moves from the source.
We now open the container and see the one razor badly tarnished and the ones further away much less… and we immediately say “the disease is spreading” because we cannot see the gas as it is spreading and thinning out within the confines of the closed container.

I definitely respect Bill and his opinions, however I don't always agree with him. Cell rot being contagious is one of those. I can't see how its contagious. I can see it rotting the exposed metal of the blades next to it and maybe triggering the cell rot to start in other razors, but causing razors that would otherwise not have cell rot to get cell rot.... I don't see it.

From those pictures the rust only appears to be on one side which seems odd if the condition is so contagious.

Not so odd when you consider one side has gold wash, making it impossible to remove the evidence before taking the photo.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

Not so odd when you consider one side has gold wash, making it impossible to remove the evidence before taking the photo.

That is a good point.

Originally Posted by Leighton

Antique / Vintage PUMA SOLINGEN Straight Razor GERMAN - eBay (item 260387538270 end time Apr-12-09 17:33:00 PDT)

Kind of looks like it, but I've never heard of Pumas having scale rot.

Sorry to go dig up an old thread,
It would appear the Puma was returned to the seller, and is again up for auction.
The only difference this time "This sale is final and Sold As Is"

I suppose, if the buyer was asked about the condition, we may know for sure... scale rot, just minor stains....
But what do you think the reason was for its return?

Antique / Vintage PUMA SOLINGEN Straight Razor GERMAN - eBay (item 260406839997 end time May-17-09 17:19:00 PDT)