So I have heard this term thrown around a lot and I want to hear more. Since I only keep original scales on if they are salvageable anyway, I haven't really come across this to the degree of worrying whether or not I should leave a blade in some scales, but now I have a candidate. I know that it is when celluloid starts to "break down" I guess and rot on the insides of the scales. This usually causes rust on the blade where it sits in the scales.

How do you I.D. scale rot? I'm especially interested in hearing whether there is a smell associated with this. Can you see it actually happening on the celluloid?

Also, are there any fixes? Permanent or short term? What can be done if this happens? Are the scales shot?

Thanks!