Cleaning the smell off...

[The Angry Piper]

OK, so I'm pretty much a newbie, having only begun shaving with a straight a few months back, but like so many of you, I've become obsessed pretty quickly.

I want to try my hand at restoration, and I have a few old razors that need some attention. The latest is an Allegheney Instrument Company 5/8" with whitish celluloid scales. Now, I bought this thing at an estate sale, and it was held in an old, dusty warehouse, so cut me some slack that I didn't notice what I'm about to tell you.

This razor stinks. And I don't men it's a bad razor. I mean it stinks like week-old vomit.

And that's being charitable.

So: How do I go about getting the smell off? I cleaned the blade with Maas, and I scrubbed the scales with warm water and a rough sponge, which got most of whatever the stink residue was off the outside scales. But I'm having a hell of a time getting between the scales. Any ideas what I could use? I tried an emery board and it seemed to work...but the razor still stinks!

I remember reading somewhere that Barbicide or alcohol will ruin celluloid, so I haven't used any of these.

Of course, I'm also thinking I may just clip the pins and use the blade for my first scale-building project (the pins are far from tight...I'd be nervous shaving with something this loose). Because there's no way in hell I'm going to shave with a razor that smells like this. Ever.

[majurey]

Sorry to read about your latest blade, Piper. But it had me LMAO!

[pilothaz]

I would say clip it and start from there on your new scales if you are wanting to try that. Seems like the best bet for that. I personally don't know how to try and take the smell out of it (is it the blade of the celluloid that smells, I assume the scales).

Ditch the scales and hold onto the blade.

[jnich67]

I'm no expert, but it may be that the scales are rotting or "gassing" (insert Beevis and Butthead giggle here). Celluloid will do that sometimes. This could also damage the blade. You may want to trash those scales asap. If you search around the forums, you'll be able to find more info on the subject.

Jordan

[Kriton]

OK< let's assume that you want to keep those old scales, yes?

First, you need to make a determination of what they are...if celluloid I would agree that you are looking at rot, but tell me, is the blade damaged? You tell sometimes if it is the rot because it will pattern on the blade similarly to the location of the blade in the handles (EG, the rot will only be where the blade goes into the scales.)

Second, remember that not all of the old scales were made of celluloid - research has indicated that there were a number of other materials on the scene before celluloid, and those don;t appear to have the same characteristics of hurting the blade, but they do get very brittle.

My suggestion would be to lightly sand the scales with very high grit wet sand paper; don;t go at them hard just enough to get a slurry. Run the length of the scales, and keep going higher in grit until you are MAASing the scales - I did this by hand in order to keep any heat off the scales, and to make the effect more even. After MAAS, I suggest a good wax be rubbed into the scales (I use Renaissance Wax - good stuff) - you may need to do this several times, as wax has an abrasive quality to it, it will shine those things right up, as well as seal them, I think. Your smell should be gone, and the scales ready to go.

At least that is my experience.

K