Thread: What is it with old close fitting celluloid razors prone to cutting scales?

Are many of those old celluloid scaled razors actually made bound so close to the blade that they cut into the scales? Do the spacers have a tendency to shrink. Were they originally bound that close?

In my earlier days of collecting years back I acumulated many that one had to practically thread a needle not to cut into the scales. Were they originally made that prone to do this? Maybe I've repeated myself.

I've found this with many quality brands including Red Imp, Boker Red Injun and Bismark. Any thoughts??
Mike B

Most likely the scales have become misshapen and closed up a little bit. I've had several like that. You could try gently heating them up in hot water and spreading them apart with a wooden wedge until they cooled to see if they would hold a wider shape.

Some of these older materials DO shrink, degrade and warp with time (the end-spacer might be of these materials), hopefully not all three at once . OR, your razor might have been re-scaled at one time. Either the scales are too small for the blade, the scales have become misshaped with time, or the pinning on the blade is off (due to re-scaling?) causing the blade to hit the scales.

As for reshaping the scales, you can heat and bend them if they are plastic. I'd be reluctant to do this if they are celluloid (that whole 'spontaneous combustion', 'gunpowder-like' when heated issue)...and Bakelite does not take to bending too well. Your gumpta-rubber like scales, I really don't know....but in my experience, these older materials don't take to heating (or, chemicals) too well.

If the contact is effecting the blade edge in any way, and you don't want to replace the scales, I guess you have to live with it

C utz