Thread: Cell or Celluloid Rot

Recently, I ran into a reference to celluloid or cell rot refering to the condition of a blade. Previously, I assumend this term would have to do with early plastic scales. I attempted a search in the wiki but came up with nothing in reference to blades.

Can anyone clarify this?

Celluloid over time will self destruct/rot, and while doing so it will emit gasses that will rust, pit and eat a razors steel. Some people liken the smell to camphor or vinegar. It is most easily identified on a blade due the fact that the blade will rust where it has been in the scales. The spine may look fine, but the blade will show the tell tales signs. Once you see it, you will know it.

Check out the current thread by SRP member simpleman entitled "I have it under control", it shows cell rot to its greater degree. Also check out the current thread "ebay 101" and look for the razor that SRP member Joed posted, it will show you an example of cell rot that has been cleaned up and hidden due to the camera angles used to photograph it.

It's kind of interesting that the razor of choice in the previous message was an Otto Duesch Hans in green. I feel that certain German razors are the culprits! These pieces can destroy entire display cases. I feel the old Hans in translucent green, as well as the Satinedge Duk and the Satinwege Duck are prone to disintegrate and cause this. I am going by things I have experienced and seen, of course.There are more, in my opinion . Just an opinion. Seems to be commonplace to me! What say??

here are the pics in case you dont wanna search. On a side note these scales smell like nothing even if they are sanded.

Thats what Im talkin about! Many thanks!

Originally Posted by simpleman

here are the pics in case you dont wanna search. On a side note these scales smell like nothing even if they are sanded.

Well then they can't be celluloid if they don't smell.... or is it possible all the camphor has evaporated ???

I had a Satinwedge with original scales that also did not smell of camphor when sanded. I am sure mine were Catalin as I may have mentioned before.

or maybe i just cant smell it. Even if these pics are not cell rot its a good representation of what it looks like. I just dont see these blades rusting this bad if it wasnt cell rot.

To clarify on the picture with the red lines, typically when a razor is stored for a while you will get oxidation on the metal left exposed when the razor is closed; spine, tang & tail.

You see that the red line roughly divides serious rusting from normal oxidation, and it's the complete opposite of what you'd expect. While scales usually protect the razor, in the case of cell rot they will react with the metal and cause accelerated deterioration.

Now Glen noted in the thread dealing with those images that you'd have to physically inspect the scales to be absolutely positive. Regardless, those images are consistent with how cell rot affects a razor.

Although this is one area that I'm grateful to say that I'm far from an expert in.

Hi gentlemen, I resume this old tread because I would need some advice on a similar subject.
I recently bought a NOS kama and after polishing the blade I got the following:

I wasn't expecting such heavy pitting on a NOS blade, then I got the doubt that it could be celluloid rot and am asking your advice if it's worthwhile keeping those scales or would better throw them away.