Thread: very wierd

I got this razor which has scales made of oryx horn. I notice a strange smell coming from the scales which is reminiscent of Hydrogen Sulfide, you know, rotten eggs. I'm afraid to put it in the box with any of my celluloid scales because I don't know what the stuff might due to them. I've tried washing again and again with soap and water. Any ideas?

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I got this razor which has scales made of oryx horn. I notice a strange smell coming from the scales which is reminiscent of Hydrogen Sulfide, you know, rotten eggs. I'm afraid to put it in the box with any of my celluloid scales because I don't know what the stuff might due to them. I've tried washing again and again with soap and water. Any ideas?

Wonder if some of the natural material is being broken down by bacteria or something like that??? Thats the only thing I could think of that would cause that particular smell

I was thinking the same thing, maybe water in the pin holes creeping in to the horn.

Might have to find a way to completely sterilize and kill everything.

Gary

Some things just don't smell very good when they get wet. Horn is one of them. Buffalo horn is not as bad as others. Bighorn is really bad. Your stuff is pretty close to that.

How were you able to identify it as Oryx? If it is a newer razor, it should have been stabilized or, minimally, sealed to prevent moisture from getting in. Shame on the maker if they didn't do it. Unless they didn't know. Which is OK, but I'd still ask them to make it right. If it's an ebay thing, not much you can do.

You can do it yourself, but the scales have to come off the blade. I'd definitely do that before I'd keep shaving with it.

The only Oryx scaled razor I ever heard of was I think from John Crowley ?.

The only reason I say this was because I thought of buying it. I haven't seen mention of Oryx anywhere esle.

Gary

I've got the one from Crowley (unless he had more than one). No smells at all.

If ya got it from John, I'm sure he is unaware of the maker's procedures. He is an upright guy and would not send something out thinking there may be anything wrong with it.

In combination with the water, heat is also a factor that will get those odors flowing.

Actually it was an Eboy razor attached to that big 8/8s W&B meatchopper. It was sold as oryx so I assume that is what it is. What I now realize is it only smells when it gets wet. Once dry no smell at all but once wet it starts. Why the rotten egg smell I can't figure out. Any ideas how to get the smell out?

oryx is pretty distinctive looking. Does it look anything like this?

I have a set with mammoth ivory scales that stunk to HIGH-heaven when they arrived. The maker of the scales mentioned something about the smell being due to the creatures diet. SURE, why not, I mean last I new, ol' Wooly ate.....Ah, who am I kidding!

He mentioned that he did does not stabilize the ivory so that it eventually colors it's 'natural colors', etc, etc.....

I let the scales air out, and the smell fell back to a minimum. But, put your nose up to them, and BAD vegatative smell! Almost like my cat's breath (who really does not eat vegetables, but perhaps should start).

ANYWAY, that's my experience with 'smelly scales'

C utz