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.
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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.
It's hard to say from the picture. It's not unusual to see corrosion in that part of the blade from inadequate cleaning. Sometimes when you see corrosion from scale rot, you'll see that it kind of matches the pattern on the scales because one of the colors is less stable and has started rotting but the others are still fairly stable.
Unfortunately the answer is "Yes it does have cell rot".
The seller says it's faux tortoiseshell... but what he didn't say was "faux tortoiseshell celluloid".
Went for $114.01. Someone thinks it can be brought back to life. Surely going to have to ditch those scales though.
Well I wouldn't jump to conclusions there. Sometimes you can tell easily because of the pattern and sometimes you can't. In that case closer examination is in order.
Quote:
Originally Posted by thebigspendur
+1 from me here
One thing I have learned for sure on Cell Rot, is that there is no "for sure" on Cell Rot...
Look, smell, test, then you might be able say...
You guys know better than me what you're talking about so I'd certainly defer to your wisdom.
Here is another with cell rot.
Antique / Vintage PUMA SOLINGEN Straight Razor GERMAN - eBay (item 320360553118 end time Apr-22-09 06:28:00 PDT)
If the above link does not work try this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=320360553118
That is very disappointing that such a great brand has scales that rot. :(
From those pictures the rust only appears to be on one side which seems odd if the condition is so contagious.Quote:
Originally Posted by smythe
edit: changed mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by AlanII
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! :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by smythe
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.
Thanks Leighton! :tuQuote:
Originally Posted by 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.
Not so odd when you consider one side has gold wash, making it impossible to remove the evidence before taking the photo. :wQuote:
From those pictures the rust only appears to be on one side which seems odd if the condition is so contagious.
That is a good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rajagra
Sorry to go dig up an old thread,Quote:
Originally Posted by Leighton
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)
It had bad pitting on the other side.
Celluloid is nitrocellulose! Nitrocellulose (also: cellulose nitrate, flash paper) is a highly flammable compound formed by nitrating cellulose through exposure to nitric acid or another powerful nitrating agent. When used as a propellant or low-order explosive, it is also known as guncotton.Quote:
Originally Posted by Truckman
Over a period of time this nitrocelulose breaks down and minute amounts of nitric acid in a gasious form are extruded from the celluloid and eat at the metal. It only occurs in celluloid.
John