Stinky scales

I had recently purchased and posted about a razor that I cleaned up a bit. The blade had a little corrosion and I didn't take the scales off when sanding and polishing (I plan to do so when I'm home from school for Thanksgiving). Anyhoo, I noticed that the scales have a pretty rank smell to them. They are in fine condition, just a little dirty yet, and plan to fix this soon. They are a black material, I'm guessing something "natural" or they wouldn't have a smell to them. I'll post a picture as it might help in determining what they are made of. Thanks gents!!

Has anyone else had this experience? If so, what did you do? Does this mean scales are rotting and I should just get/make new ones? Is there a way to cure them or coat them with something to prevent this?

Attachment 111682

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Those scales do look nice.
I have to ask,"What do they smell like?"
Is the smell released when you clean them? or Is it constant?

Its consistent, when its not in use its not too bad, but when I use it my hands warming it up slightly (when stropping) will make it a little more potent.

Does it smell a bit like burning rubber?

Does it smell like camphor?

Maybe it's your fingers?

........................now that ain't nice ..........Attachment 111683

What material are those made from? Look like they are backelite. Backelite has a pretty distinct smell but I can't remember any set of scales that smelled, only when sanding them.

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Originally Posted by mainaman

What material are those made from? Look like they are backelite. Backelite has a pretty distinct smell but I can't remember any set of scales that smelled, only when sanding them.

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Right. Also Gutta Percha will reek like burning rubber if you buff it. I accidentally "polished" some by mistake while buffing some rust off a tang...that razor still reeks several weeks later.

Watch out for scale rot. What is the pattern of corrosion on the blade?

James.

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Originally Posted by Wintchase

Maybe it's your fingers?

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Man who sleep with itchy butt wake with stinky fingers.

If it smells like burnt hair, could be a type of horn. If it smells like camphor, or musty/vinegary, or a sour smell it's celluloid and they're degrading; if that is the case get the blade out of them now and trash them, else they will start to corrode the steel again.

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Originally Posted by tiddle

Man who sleep with itchy butt wake with stinky fingers.

If it smells like burnt hair, could be a type of horn. If it smells like camphor, or musty/vinegary, or a sour smell it's celluloid and they're degrading; if that is the case get the blade out of them now and trash them, else they will start to corrode the steel again.

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yea cell rot is a death sentance to razors if left go to long

There wasn't really extreme corrosion on the blade when I purchased it. Most of it was where the lather builds up on the razor when shaving, but It hasn't been an issue since I've sanded it down and polished it. I would say it smells somewhat like burning rubber, it's not extremely potent unless the scales are close to your nose/face. I have no idea what camphor is or smells like. Nor do I know what they are made of.

They really don't seem to be in horrible condition either. They are a slightly different color on the inside of the scales. There isn't any warping either which I am happy about, another reason why I think I should try to keep them. Would sanding them be a bad thing? Progressing to the finest grits of course, to keep a smooth look to them. I didn't know if there was a method to sanding then polishing/treating/sealing them (if polishing, treating, or sealing are even done, let alone the correct terms to be using)?

I appreciate everybody's feedback, questions, and willingness to help! Thanks everyone!

Lastly, NO, it is NOT MY FINGERS! haha. I try to stay clean and well groomed for the most part.

Yup! Gutta Percha is what you are describing.

They will turn green or powdery white with age. You sometimes can wipe the discoloration off, but often it will require buffing to remove. I would suggest NOT buffing because they will reek for a long time.

They are generally nice and flexible, but they become brittle also and can break easier than you think.

Personally, I don't like them. I like a more substantial feeling scale. The good thing about them is they don't seem to cause any problems for the blade like celluloid when they do stink.

dodged by the skin of your butt

I have two Boker Red injun 101 & 102 with scales like that. Neither stink, but one has a discolored scale. I always thought they were a hard rubber, so Gutta-percha.... learned something new

Well I guess I'll still give sanding and cleaning up a try. I'm planning on already making a set of scales over Thanksgiving. So if cleaning them up doesn't work, I can just make two sets of scales! I'll let everyone know how they turn out after I do it. There is kind of an off-white powderish looking coating on the inside, and the scales are still flexible, not brittle by any means. So I'll give it a shot at saving them. Thanks again everyone!!