Is this Cell Rot ?

I have already lost a lovely razor because cell rot. Back then I wasn’t aware of the disease at all and the diagnosis was made in this forum.

The following is a razor that I just received from an auction. It is a well preserved vintage razor that I liked a lot. Especially the scales.
As soon as I opened the box I saw some signs of rust. I can deal with it and it doesn’t bother me. However, I remember that the razor I lost from cell rot in the past began as a rust. I didn’t bother back then, but after 6 months the razor was dead.

Fact is I really like these scales and I certainly don’t want to change them just in case this is indeed cell rot. So, I wonder if there is anyone here that can be certain that this is, or this is not cell rot.

Thank you very much.



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Here it is:

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To me it does not look like cell rot.

Those two are examples of cell rot

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I do not have a good nose, but I do know that cell rot will give off a vinegar smell as it deteriorates and give off gas.

Will N.

WillN is right - if it has been in a confined space for a while you can usually smell it. It is either a vinegary smell or faintly 'medical' smell like camphor. I say 'usually' because sometimes it has no smell.

The smell varies according to the type of celluloid - some are made with acetic acid (very early), some with nitric acid, some are made with a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acid and some, if not most of the post-cellulose acetate era, have camphor added.

Celluloid handles with a pattern, for example mock tortoiseshell, show that they are undergoing cell rot because the parts of the blade under the clearer areas get light rust on it which gets more serious as time goes by, and the dark areas usually have so much filler in them (they used asbestos! among other things to make the dye appear more solid) so the breakdown of the celluloid does not occur so heavily in these darker regions and consequently the blade is not attacked as much.

The type of handle you have generally out-gasses (nitric or acetic acid) all over the blade equally so you do not usually have any darker areas of rust at the onset. Given time though, the bottom half of the blade will turn darker and rust through. At the onset it will look like the whole blade - even past the scales - has been 'misted' with a fine corrosive spray.

There is more info here in post no. 19.

Regards,
Neil

Thank you very much gentlemen!

Any ideas on how to remove the rust?

I would try any good polish such as Mothers Mag & Aluminum. Sometimes it takes a little elbow grease too but the results are well worth the rewards. Keep an eye on it and if later you do suspect cell rot the only cure is new scales. For a while I would keep the razor away from others as a precaution as cell rot will spread. IMHO, you don't need to worry but 'better safe than sorry!'

No celluloid rot as far as I can tell. What I've seen is that it's 'bubbly' in nature, pinprick coverage. If that makes sense.

This was the best I could do:

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Thank you all!

In your 2nd post, the 1st picture, mid blade it appears to be a finger print that may have started the rust. The seller may not have treated or cleaned it before shipping.
We must look at a few things.
How far & how long did the razor travel before you received it?
What's the climate like were the razor came from, and where you live?
If you clean it off, how soon before it returns?

All the above aside, once removed, drying for 20 minutes and a light oiling of camellia or mineral oil will stave off some of the issues. Store in a dry location.

If this is your normal routine, and your still experiencing the issue, then it is probable rot.

The area affected looks more like it was from moisture on the scales where the blade comes to rest. Keep it out of heat (sunlight) and keep it dry. Boxing up a razor that may get cell rot is a bad idea in my opinion but if you do take it out often and look for dull discoloration on the blade in a more cloudy/speckled pattern.
It never hurts to add some protection to the blade like Tuff Glide. The pitting would have to be sanded out and may not be worth it to you as long as the pits don't turn red. They will hold moisture a lot more the a smooth surface.

Nice razor :<0)