Thread: is this cell rot

or just rusty blades?

TWO STRAIGHT RAZORS - DOUBLE DUCK & FROM BROS. - eBay (item 110632055451 end time Jan-07-11 17:03:06 PST)

Keep in mind that from a pic I can never be 100% certain but I feel pretty confident that it is...

Reasons:

The type of scales
The Yellowing of the scales, the DD ones were clear when they started not positive on the old Fromm
The pattern of the rust
The type of rust

thats enough of a yes for me not to use them. I bought these for the scales and didnt think anything about it until i got them and played with them. Owell guess the inlays are still good.

Those razors are toast.

To further on Glen's point, here's one of the other pictures where it's also pretty evident. From what I understand, the exposed metal (e.g. spine) will start to oxidize first if the razors are kept closed and stored under normal conditions, whereas with cell rot it's the enclosed metal that oxidizes and does so at an accelerated rate.

You can see how the red lines match up with about where the scales lie when the razor is closed -- looks normal on the outside, and terribly rusted on the inside. The tails are relatively clean except for some normal tarnish as they are kept outside the scales. I'm sure it might also attribute to those rusted pins, particularly on the Fromm.

I've only seen one razor with minor cell rot up close and I admit that the only thing I know about it is what I've read in various forums, so let me know if anything is inaccurate.

Have you sanded the scales to see if they are celluloid. They should smell like camphor if so.
I had a Satinwedge with those clear scales & they weren't celluloid... I suspect it was Catalin which also was made in clear as well as colours.
Catalin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Just saying don't trash the scales unless you're sure. Those areas of rust can also be from moisture trapped in the scales tho they look pretty extreme.

Originally Posted by onimaru55

They should smell like camphor if so.

no but i have no idea what that smells like.


only the parts inside of the scales have rusted. everything out side of the scales is just tarnished. The one razor may be salvageable. looks worse in the picture than in real life.

Originally Posted by simpleman

no but i have no idea what that smells like.

Mothballs