Thread: Scales oxidizing?

Like Dave says, they are Vulcanite, aka Hard Rubber (although the process used to make them hard does not leave them in the least bit rubbery!). Old car batteries were made of it, as were bowling balls, pipe stems and fountain pens. It isnt used for battery cases anymore - too brittle, but it is still used in the present day for lots of other things.

The vulcanisation process (Goodyear) involves heat and sulpher. This takes away the natural properties of the rubber, leaving it hard and brittle, but cured. It can no longer be formed into another shape by heat.

Over time, the sulpher attacks the surface of the vulcanite, leaving a surface deposit that develops into a lighter stain, typically light brown or greenish. In the early stages this can be removed quire effectively with fine metal polishes, but it will come back.

Unlike cell rot, this process will not affect the metal of the razor. You often see it on one side of the razor, which leads one to consider that if the razor is laid down it is probably the upper side that gets affected first, possibly by sunlight, so revolving the razors you have periodically might help.

You can often tell if the scales are vulcanite (or ebonite, a similar product) by rapidly rubbing your finger on the scale then smelling it - it will often have the characteristic smell of rubber. Using a cloth to polish off the stain may reveal the smell of rubber, too.

Regards,
Neil