Thread: Death of the Ducks

Makes me cry. so far, knock on wood.... i have been lucky with my ducks but i lost a couple of puma's to rot the pain is horrible.

jim

ouch thats too bad. would have been a nice collection. I would love to see what happens after you work some magic on them..be sure to keep us posted

Originally Posted by Voidmonster

If memory serves, it's mostly the yellow celluloid that does this mean trick, but I think there might be another color that I'm failing to remember.

Those green Otto Deutsch scales are prone to cell rot pretty badly IIRC.

This thread makes me want to store my razors in separate plastic bags, so they don't spread contamination if the original scales do start to decompose.

A similar process is happening to films on celluloid stock. Many titles have already been lost.

Sun, heat, chemicals are enemies of celluloid. If you kept it in a cool, dry, dark, pollution free environment you would have the best chances of preserving them but it's still no guarantee.

Often times cell rot starts out slowly with the scales looking perfectly normal but a spot on the blade stars to rust and very quickly pit.

Originally Posted by sleekandsmooth

ouch thats too bad. would have been a nice collection. I would love to see what happens after you work some magic on them..be sure to keep us posted

It would be great if they were restoreable but chances are they are too far gone. The full hollows , like those ducks, just don't have enough meat on them to bring back to life with that kind of corrosion. I hope I'm wrong but they look pretty far gone.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Sun, heat, chemicals are enemies of celluloid. If you kept it in a cool, dry, dark, pollution free environment you would have the best chances of preserving them but it's still no guarantee.

Often times cell rot starts out slowly with the scales looking perfectly normal but a spot on the blade stars to rust and very quickly pit.

More often than not, celluloid is its own worst enemy. If it wasn't made EXACTLY right it'll go South no matter what you do to preserve it.

Remington had their own version of celluloid at one time called PYREMITE. They used it knife handles and scales until it was found that it was prone to spontaneously ignite..

Bet that was thrill when your pocket knife lit up in your pocket..

Best thing you can do is keep them separated and be ever vigilant. Once it starts, it's a goner and every piece of steel around it is too. Nitric acid fumes are the culprit.

Originally Posted by Cove5440

This may be a stupid question, but how do you prevent cell rot?

Mostly you cannot prevent it.
When it starts to decompose the generated acid attacks
both the steel and the celluloid and it goes down hill, FAST.
It is acid so a box of baking soda in the cabinet will
not hurt.

Individual wrappers keeps the damage confined to
one. Ventilation is a good thing as is a good oil coating.
Cool and dark slows the reaction.

If you smell it it is too late and time for replacement scales.

This thread makes me want to store my razors in separate plastic bags, so they don't spread contamination if the original scales do start to decompose.

I think it's a very good idea. I keep my celluloid scaled razors in a large drawer, and keep that drawer cracked. I'm not sure if it's the best way, but it meets the cool, dry, away from sunlight requirements.

OP: My condolences to your friends family, and I hope you're able to at least bring one of those Ducks back.

Best thing is air circulation to keep the acid fumes from being concentrated. I don't store any of cell handled knives in my knife roll. Individual wrappers are good if you have to keep all of them in one confined area.