Thread: First attempt at resto - Red Imp

Originally Posted by Furcifer

So what exactly happens with celluloid rot if I don't change the scales?

This is what happens with cell rot.

IC... Well, when I got the razor, it was closed and tight in the scales, but as we can see, the rust and pitting was happening only on the exposed areas of the blade. I'm not really seeing a lot of "gas-pitting" from cell rot down on the parts of the blade that was held between the scales. The scale shrinkage is odd; I had initially used a penetrating oil to arrest the rust, and then proceeded with knocking the rust off after about an hour. I didn't soak the whole razor in the oil - I just sprayed the blade and a shop towel, and then just wrapped the blade in the saturated shop towel, but some of the oil did get on the scales. I just wiped it off and didn't think anything of it, but when I got done with the blade resto, the scales seemed smaller and the blade will not clear the wedge at all now. It also seems as though one side had already shrunk more than the other, because the wedge portion was oddly bent. I tried straightening the scales in a vise and while the scales are straight now, the shrinkage effect is worse. I'm not sure I can hacksaw the wedge enough before I'm into the pin! So far, I've just been storing it open with SRD razor oil on the blade.

I understand the heirloom part.

If you have the skills to shine it up and get it sharp you also have the skills to make new scales.

Another thought... I have one of my favorites that I have to pull on the monkey tail to get it to close. It has to have a sloppy big hole for the pivot pin. I am not going to take it apart to find out. At least at this time.