Celluloid scale shrinkage-red imp 132

I've got a red imp wedge that is in great condition except for the scales. At first glance the scales are excellent. They are free from scratches and the red imp logo is still raised and very nice.

However, the celluloid has warped a little bit, and more than that, it has shrunk. The shrinkage is seemingly in all directions because the wedge is visible on all three of its external edges if you take a side view of the razor.

Additionally, the shrinkage has caused the wedge to move closer to the pivot than normal; this has caused the tip of the blade to contact the top of the wedge in a way that prevents the blade from closing (even if you manipulate or rotate the wedge).

Is there any fix to scale shrinkage? Can they be stretched or expanded somehow? I'd like to keep these original scales on this razor since they are extremely nice otherwise.

Thanks!

Case Red Imps were scaled with early colored Bakelite. In order to produce colors, the carbon (black) was omitted in the process. This type of scale is prone to shrinkage as well as warpage. They can be straightened somewhat successfully using warm to hot water, popsicle sticks and small spring clamps. The shrinkage is tough. You can sand the wedge down to the contour of the scales and polish. A tiny file or hacksaw blade will work the wedge down inside the scales to allow clearance if things are not too bad. Otherwise, time to rescale!

This is a common problem with many of the Imps in fact the only one I have seen that it is unusal on are the Morris ones they are less than 50% bad :)

I have straightend the scales many times, and that works but it is NOT a permenent fix.. they will continue to degrade

I have posted this many times in the past but one more won't hurt, "The celluloid that these companies used varied in composistion and recipes, so there is not a set rule, there are some brands and the scales that came on them, that are more prone to Cell Rot and the warping is the begining stages of that.. But each razor is pretty much different,... :( so you really can't say what the outcome is going to be..

I advise the steam method of straightening if you are going to try, as I have seen the boiling water and the heat gun/hairdryer methods have discoloring effects on some of the Imp scales

Good luck

g

Ah Bakelite. My ignorance is showing.

I like the popsicle stick idea. I'll give that a try. Then I suppose I'll have a better idea of how much of the wedge needs to be taken in.

Maybe you could rub some powdered Viagra on them?