Thread: 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?

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 ..........

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.

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.

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.