Thread: Saran Wrap vs. Cell Rot?

I got a stain edge from an antique shop recently and it had a minuscule amount of cell rot on the blade. It had barely begun on the surface of the blade, so I took some 1000 grit sand paper and it came off. With a microscope i took a quick look and there wasn't any real pitting on the edge, I guess I got lucky.

I don't really have the time to take the scales off the blade right now and restore it (plus I really love the clear scales on satin edges). So I Saran wrapped the blade and kept it in the scales.

I wanted to know if anyone else has done this and if it's actually efficient to keep the rotting gases from deteriorating the blade, or if there's something in the wrap that would destroy the blade as well.

Any opinions?

Narrez

If it's cell rotting and time is an issue, you can simply break the scales off the blade. I would recommend getting that blade away from the scales no matter if you de-pin it or break them off. Either way you can use them for a pattern if you want...just get them away from the steel and any other razors you have. Those gasses are just simply bad news.

What is cell rot and how would I know if one of my older razors have it?

Originally Posted by PaulyGoodshave

What is cell rot and how would I know if one of my older razors have it?

not an expert on this subject by any means but i found this, hope it helps.

Bill's Straight Razor Info: Celluloid Rot

Actually it was most helpful. Thank you.

I have a razor with bull horn scales, it isn't rusty, but near the edge it looks like it is stained black. no pitting and it doesn't really buff out that easy. I think I can assume it is probably just water stains or something. Yes?

In a pinch and if you don't have time to do the right thing, put the razor in a ziplock bag with bakeing soda. The soda will netralize the nitric acid and at least keep it from the other razors

Only celluloid scales rot like that.

There is no way to cure it or stop it or slow it. The scales have to be removed. It will eat the blade as soon as the sun will rise tomorrow.

Often times it starts slow and you can't see it on the scales but you see it on the blade with an area of rust that turns to pitting. It's a misconception the entire blade rusts at once or the scales smell or look deteriorating. Once you have unexplained rust on a blade and the scales are celluloid it's a good bet it's due to the scales gassing.

Hey, thanks button worked this time.

I scratch my head sometimes wondering why experienced advice is not headed....

I was hoping I could keep the transparent scales for a little longer... I guess I'll have to take them off some time soon.
While we're on the subject. I know DD are what we can consider "newer" celluloid scale razors. From what I've read, the newer celluloid scales are supposed to be more stable. But I've also noticed that a lot of DD have cell rot. Has anyone else noticed this, or is it just a coincidence that I've seen just a bunch of rotted ones.

btw thx for your thoughts!

When we talk newer vs older we mean those from the 1800s and early 1900s to those from maybe the 1920s up to 1960s or even later. it's all unstable stuff, only the degree changes. I know there is some of the stuff still being made but I don't know about the modern formulation.

In any case if you leave them on your razor, well as they say, it's your razor.