Thread: Opinions please...

I would like to save this set of scales and hopefully find another Henckels to use them with. If I remove the pivot pin it's going to be hard to match the other pins and washers. Would you guys replace all the pins or just the pivot when the time comes to replace the blade.

I would determine if the blade damage is cell rot first. If it is, I wouldn't reuse the scales.

My thoughts exactly.

Have to agree with the comments regarding cell rot - although I'm not sure just what the definitive test is. Usually a good clue is that the corrosion on the blade is restricted to the area within the scales when closed - but the photo appears to show corrosion all over.

Going back to your original question - if the scales are worth saving you should be able to remove the pivot pin without too much damage to the washer. There are lots of posts suggesting methods for pin removal in the Wiki - my preference is for the pin vice method as this gives good control.

I think if you took a piece of carbon steel that is clean and polished and place it in a bag with the suspect scales it should answer your cell rot question.

Having seen way too much cell rot, I would remove the blade and then use the scales as a pattern. The plating on the fancy metal bolsters has been eaten away but they will polish later.
There are threads with info on how to remove the fancy metal parts without damage to be reused. Then they show how to put them on the new scales.
~Richard
I will add that I have used questionable scales after cleaning them thoroughly but a couple months later wished that I hadn't. They corroded a couple good blades by the time I took a good look again...

Originally Posted by RezDog

I think if you took a piece of carbon steel that is clean and polished and place it in a bag with the suspect scales it should answer your cell rot question.

This would be a great experiment! Get a thin piece of carbon steel and put it inside the scales with some sticking out both sides. Put it in a bag and check it every few weeks.

I would be scared of those scales, unless they were dug up out of the ground or were outside for a long time I'm not sure what else would do that.

I agree that you need to determine the state of the celluloid before throwing a good blade in there. While that blade is in poor shape, I don't seen anything specifically indicating cell rot. Better safe then sorry though.

As far as the pins go, I'm with UKROB on the use of a pin vice. It takes a bit more time, but it gives you complete control. It sometimes helps to file the pin flat to get a good start.

There is a good possibility that you can just replace that pivot pin and clean up the rest of the metal. They would probably match then. You going to put it in your shaving rotation or sell it? That may be a better way to think about it and help you with your decision. If it's cell rot, you know what you have to do...

Originally Posted by MisterClean

I would like to save this set of scales and hopefully find another Henckels to use them with. If I remove the pivot pin it's going to be hard to match the other pins and washers. Would you guys replace all the pins or just the pivot when the time comes to replace the blade.