Thread: Celluloid Scale Rot I.D. and Repair?

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!

The celluloid actually starts to decompose and gives off a gas that will attack all of the razor, not just the portion touching the scales. It will rust and pit the steel all over. There is no fix for this. Just get rid of the scales. Transparent scales will become yellowish/cloudy. Transparent celluloid scales are the worst offenders.

I cannot remember what it smells like despite it happening to me recently. I did not bother to smell the scales.

Perhaps someone else can describe the smell?

I'm pretty positive that I do not have this problem, but is there a way to catch it before it pits/rusts the blade? i.e. does the area decomposing start to change color/texture before it messes with the blade? Kind of why I was aking about a smell too. Really no one else knows more about this?

• Black scales smell like burnt tar.

• White scales smell a little like minty-eucalyptus soapy plastic.

Whether or not thats due to degassing or just first generation plastic technology.

Alex:
I have only seen real celluloid rot once, In all the razors that I have had for myself and others (now closing on 200) It has a slightly vinegary smell, and you can actually see scaling on the insides of the scales... The blade will have a spotted looking pitting to it, that is different from the rust and black crap you and I are used to looking at...
It is noticeably different, and if advanced enough, the scales will almost crumble when you try and pop them....
As with everything having to do with razors I'm sure there will be other descriptions but this is the only case of it I have ever seen....

Here is where I am puzzled. On that BB I just got (you know the one Glen), there was a spot on the inside of one scale with a slight discoloration (I couldn't see it too well though since I didn't unpin it). It is white inside the scale and smelled a little like the "minty-eucalyptus" smell described by Mark. The Blade was still in decent shape, but there was a tiny bit of rust and discoloration (maybe the beginning stages of cell rot?). So I sanded the insides of the scales a bit and it looks better. I am wondering 1) what was this, 2) will sanding rid me of it, 3) if it wasn't cell rot, would sanding fix it if it were? Thanks!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

As with everything having to do with razors I'm sure there will be other deceptions but this is the only case of it I have ever seen....

I hate it when they try to deceive us about razors.... it's just plain dishonest.

(sorry Glen, couldn't help myself)

I think the minty/eucalyptus smell is probably camphor. Nitrocellulose and camphor were the main ingredients for early celluloid.

You cannot always smell celluloid rot. It depends on how far it has deteriorated. The clear satinedge scales I have now have no odor but definitely are corroding the blade.

Charlie

Originally Posted by chancecatalyst

I hate it when they try to deceive us about razors.... it's just plain dishonest.

(sorry Glen, couldn't help myself)

Yeah yeah I fixed it hehehehe

I had one bad case of rot on a razor in a lot. The scales were hopeless and just crumbled when I tried to work with them. I recently worked on a dbl duck that had a similar spot as you described. I had to unpin the blade any so it was easy to get to the spot. I sanded the area down until it looked healthy. As it didn't look like it was going to spread, I coated the area with a polymer car wax. If it had been worse, I was prepared to give a dab of shellac or something other then CA. I didn't want to take a chance on the CA coming out the other side. That has been awhile and I've not heard back from the customer, so I guess it worked.