Thread: Do you think this is cell rot?

Evening Gents,
I found myself on Jon's Swords site tonight, and came across a very nice-looking pair of Friedr. Herder abr. Sohn razors for $130. One of them is a square-pointed stainless with reddish scales, likely cellulose (photo #1). The other one is not stainless, and has tortoiseshell scales. The page says the blade is rusted due to a previous owner not caring for the razor properly. However, the blade appears pitted rather than rusted, and this pitting looks like it's on the part of the blade that's inside the scales (see the pictures #2 & 3 below - it's clearest on #3). There's another photo (#4) showing the scales being held up to the light, and I think I can see some cloudiness inside them, suggesting to me that it's cell rot rather than rust. The pitting on the tang matches up somewhat with the pattern of the scales too (picture #5), further suggesting cell rot to me.

Questions: 1. If it's cell rot, is it too late, or can that blade be restored? Its twin looks almost NOS, so it would be a shame if it couldn't be.

2. Should someone contact the seller and tell him about cell rot and let him know what he needs to do to stop it spreading?


Picture #1



Picture #2


Picture #3


Picture #4 (cloudiness is easiest to see at the right end of the scales)


Picture #5 (note the blotchiness of the marks on the tang and how they coincide roughly with the darker parts of the pattern in the scales)

Yes, it is cell rot, however all celluloid will decay by slowly releasing an acidic gas; it is the gas that attacks the steel. What’s important is how fast is it gassing?, and the only way I know… polish the steel, put it away in a razor box for a month or two and check every few days to see if the steel develops patina. If after a month or two there is no patina, then assume the gassing is slow and be happy, if the patina returns within the two months then the gassing is fast, the scales have chronic rot and should be replaced… yes its would be a shame… just like those old moving pictures shot many decades ago on celluloid film, they slowly decay taking with it priceless works of art.
1) Yes, the blade can be restored; once the pitting is removed and the edge honed, should make a great shaver… though one would no longer call it NOS after the restore, especially if the scales are replaced.

2) Most sellers, deserving or not, do not want to hear criticism about the items they have up for sale and may become extremely offensive… I wouldn’t bother.

Yep, it's celluloid rot. The scales must be removed as soon as possible and the blade should be neutralized and cleaned as soon as possible, as well, in order to minimize the damage.