Thread: Why do my scales smell so horrible?

Hello wise members of straight razor place, i have a question in regards to a strange first time shave of a Joh Engstrom 5/8 frameback. The razor glides across with no problem, but when ever i past my nose i smell "burnt hair". I put the razor down and smelled my hands, and they smell like burnt hair. So i washed them off and continued after i completed one of the better 3 pass shaves of my life, the smell was on my hands again. i Finally grabbed the razor and smell the scales. The smell was coming from the scales i tried to wash them but they changed into a dark shade of green. I am guessing the scales are black celluloid scales with a lead spacer. They are in horrible condition and i was playing to either have them repaired or replaced. Has anybody encountered this and does anyone have a suggestion.

this maybe it ?

or cell rot ??

http://straightrazorpalace.com/razors/13888-another-smelly-one.ht

I am going to guess that the scales are hard vulcanized rubber as per the linked thread. Just a shot in the dark but you could try rubbing some small amount of glycerine into them, let dry a bit and then buff off the excess.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I am going to guess that the scales are hard vulcanized rubber as per the linked thread. Just a shot in the dark but you could try rubbing some small amount of glycerine into them, let dry a bit and then buff off the excess.

Bob

YEP, and I bet they're an olive drab color. I had one like that, polished them with MOTHERS and now they're shiny black and don't stink.

Bob and Wullie are giving you the straight scoop. I have a Wosty Barber's Use with those. When I got it one side was shiny black and the other side, that must have been up and exposed to the light, was olive drab. I believe this is the same stuff a lot of old tobacco pipe stems were made out of back in the old days. Turned green from exposure to light and if you're smoking in the rain the drops would make green spots. Polishes out but takes some elbow grease along with whatever else you use.