Shrinking Scales?

Just a question to find out if anyone else has experienced this. I'll post pics when I can get the time to snap a few.

I found a Case Temperite this weekend and was happy to pay the $10 that the dealer had asked for it. The blade was in great shape with minimal hone wear. It appears that someone had smeared Vaseline (?) on the blade before storing it away, which may have saved the blade from much corrosion.

Although I like the transparent amber scales and they appear to be in good shape, it looks like I'll have to remove them and replace them with something else since I realized that the blade doesn't fit in the scales properly. The blade is centered and pivots smoothly, but the point of the blade overlaps and catches on the wedge for over 1/16". Has anyone else seen scales shrink in length before?

Just curious.

- Mark (S-4-C)

Are you sure that the scales are original? It sounds like someone just rescaled it for the sake of having scales on it regardless of whether they fit.

I don't know. Doesn't celluloid shrink?

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Originally Posted by JMS

I don't know. Doesn't celluloid shrink?

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To my knowledge, only if they are starting to rot.

YMMV, "Often wrong but never unsure." and all that jazz.

If you really like the scales, it might be possible to disassemble and sand down the wedge until the blade fits, and then put it all back together.

it's possible the "vaseline" shrunk the scales?...

I have seen where certain types petrochemical left on plastic for a long time (years) cause discoloration, crystallization (dry out) or deform (shrink).

I've seen celluloid shrink because of heat. I've also noticed that is often curling up and might be able to be warmed and shaped back into position. It's a long shot but it might work.

Unfortunately, I have seen this. In a Case Temperite, as well as a double duck satinedge and goldedge, and a few others. In the case of the ducks, I am certain that they were not re-scaled but they were not able to clear the wedge.

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Originally Posted by Philadelph

Are you sure that the scales are original? It sounds like someone just rescaled it for the sake of having scales on it regardless of whether they fit.

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Yep, they're original. I've seen other blades with the clear yellow handles and the red "Temperite" logo stamped on them.

Thanks, Utopian, for the verification. Looks like this one will be getting a new outfit in the future. Now I've got to get some pins, washers, etc. ...

- Mark (S-4-C)

Oddly enough I have the same issue with a Case Temperite. It was also covered in what appears to be Vaseline. The scales have a 3rd pin that prevents the razor from opening all the way and when closing the scales appear to be 1/8" or so too short. Strange. The blade appears in good shape, but it's almost as if the scales massively shrunk.

I have another 'cheapie' that I picked up that is experiencing something similar, but to a lesser degree. That one I suspect is just an issue of warped scales.

Interesting to know someone is having a similar issue.

Count me in as another with a Case Temperite and shrinking scales. Just picked this up about 2 weeks ago at an antique shop. Thought it was a poor rescale job done many years ago. Seems to be a batch scale batch that Case received. Nice blade though. Took on a very nice edge IMHO.

Jerry