Thread: "Accelerated" rusting

some types of celluloid are much more prone to this type of off-gassing and deterioration than others. Multi-colored handles and some of the transluscent stuff was the worst, in my opinion. I still think celluloid is really nice stuff, but it should be kept away from UV light and heat to help preserve it. Celluloid is actually quite durable and will last for many decades, but some will eventually breakdown and cause problems, so razor collections should ALWAYS be checked very frequently. One razor with celluloid rot in a box with others can ruin everything in the box. If you ever noticed, some of the 7 day sets have one razor that's horribly rusted and the razors have diminishing rust damage, the farther away they are set from the razor that caused the problem. Also, you will notice a rust pattern that coincides with a discoloration or what appears to be a blemish in the celluloid. As it breaks down, it often changes color or texture and becomes very, very brittle. Slightly bend it and it will break like it was made of thin hard candy.

The brittleness (many break lines in an almost cobweb like pattern on one of the scales), multi-colouredness (imitatation tortoise) and "contagiousness" (other razor in same box) are exactly as you describe it! Thanks!

Be sure to carefully clean any razors that were in the "neighborhood" of this razor. As I understand it, this is contagious!

RT

Ok, you fellows have me worried now. How can I definitefly identify celluloid razors so I can remove them and replace them? Like they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Glen F

Glen,

You really don't have to be paranoid about the celluloid rot that Kees is having to deal with. It can happen to any celluloid scales, but is generally more of a problem in high heat and humidity situations. The older the scales, the more liable they are to develop rot, but once it's started, it can affect other celluloid scales in close proximity to them regardless of their age.

Under normal use (if you have a rotation) you'll handle the razors on a very regular basis, and you can simply look them over carefully for any rusting, and sniff the scales occasionally to make sure they don't smell vinegary. If you notice them changing color, then you can have them rescaled.

If you have a collection that you don't normally shave with, it would be a good idea to check them regularly for any signs of the rot. This is not something that starts and causes great damage overnight. It takes a little while for it to progress.

You can usually identify the celluloid scales by their smell. Even when in good shape they have a very distinctive smell to them. Not quite like vinnegar but distinctive non the less.

Canerunner, I'm of the same opinion as you. I see no point in throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Celluloid scales are very nice and quite durable, but subject them to enough heat, UV, humidity, etc. and they [i]can[/b] begin to deteriorate and off-gas. I've got hundreds of razors with celluloid scales and have no intention of replacing any of those scales unless I don't llike the way they look.