Thread: Classic example of Celluloid Rot

Nice razor, sorry for the celrot, what do you do whit him regrind or?? trow anway those scales.

Sealing might delay the problem, yes.
But ultimately, celluloid is not built to last. If you delay the problem now, you'll just dump it back in the lap of the next owner of said heirloom. And then the problem will be worse. Firstly because the scales will be in even worse condition, and second because they might notice it much too late, at which point the blade will be eaten away.

If you care about the razor as an heirloom, rescale it with new scales, or have someone make replica scales, but in plastic instead of celluloid. There is so much knifemaking material out there that you should be able to find blanks that have the same color / texture / pattern. Pay someone to make replica scales, and keep the originals in a closed coffin or perhaps a black velvet sleeve, with the razor.

That way you'll preserve the razor, and keep its historical parts together without setting up a timebomb that is guaranteed to go off in the not too distant future.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Sealing might delay the problem, yes.
But ultimately, celluloid is not built to last. If you delay the problem now, you'll just dump it back in the lap of the next owner of said heirloom. And then the problem will be worse. Firstly because the scales will be in even worse condition, and second because they might notice it much too late, at which point the blade will be eaten away.

If you care about the razor as an heirloom, rescale it with new scales, or have someone make replica scales, but in plastic instead of celluloid. There is so much knifemaking material out there that you should be able to find blanks that have the same color / texture / pattern. Pay someone to make replica scales, and keep the originals in a closed coffin or perhaps a black velvet sleeve, with the razor.

That way you'll preserve the razor, and keep its historical parts together without setting up a timebomb that is guaranteed to go off in the not too distant future.

Bruno;

While my father has been gone from this world for 13 years his Words of Wisdom are still true!! Quote:"Never ask just anyone, ask someone who knows something"!

I thank you!

Scary stuff! I literally have nightmares about cell rot lol.

Lucky that's a nice thick blade there Brad!

Some pretty things are tolerable, even desirable. Celluloid ain't one of them.

I just got my first cellrot case fixed up. It took breadknifing to clear the edge, a week* to re-establish a bevel (hey it's only my 8th honejob, yes i've seen all the vidyeas).

*felt like.

Then a dip in boiling water to center the blade, a lot of peening to tighten things up.

It gets a test-shave tomorrow, then I'll take some pics and de-scale it and make some new ones for it. I'm keeping the steel oiled all the time.

Three days ago I had no idea what cellrot was. Now i know the smell the effect and the cure. Thanks for the info.

Looks just like this one, but with less polish and corrosion yet around the hinge. American Products Co "Marked "2912" on reverse of tang" 5/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Wow that's nasty! Well at least it's going to be fun seeing it come back together after the fix.

That looks like a safety razor to me: the bevel is the same width as the spine.

Originally Posted by WadePatton

Some pretty things are tolerable, even desirable. Celluloid ain't one of them.

I just got my first cellrot case fixed up. It took breadknifing to clear the edge, a week* to re-establish a bevel (hey it's only my 8th honejob, yes i've seen all the vidyeas).

*felt like.

Then a dip in boiling water to center the blade, a lot of peening to tighten things up.

It gets a test-shave tomorrow, then I'll take some pics and de-scale it and make some new ones for it. I'm keeping the steel oiled all the time.

Three days ago I had no idea what cellrot was. Now i know the smell the effect and the cure. Thanks for the info.

Looks just like this one, but with less polish and corrosion yet around the hinge. American Products Co "Marked "2912" on reverse of tang" 5/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

Reviving this thread, for a question.

When and what causes the celluloid to release the gases that are so harmful? Is it light, air, heat, water, soaps? The reason I'm asking is, I recently purchased a 7 day set from the '50's era. After talking to Cudarunner, he advised me to be aware of cellrot, IF the have celluloid scales. The razor set is enroute, so I'm not sure what the scales are made of.

"Supposedly", this particular set was purchased, yet never used. As a gun dealer, I know how that "never fired" stuff really works. However, if these were, in fact, never used and kept in the closed case, would this be why there is no cellrot...yet. Like I said, I have only seen pics. So I don't know if they are celluloid scales or not.

Originally Posted by AcesandEights

Reviving this thread, for a question.

When and what causes the celluloid to release the gases that are so harmful? Is it light, air, heat, water, soaps? The reason I'm asking is, I recently purchased a 7 day set from the '50's era. After talking to Cudarunner, he advised me to be aware of cellrot, IF the have celluloid scales. The razor set is enroute, so I'm not sure what the scales are made of.

"Supposedly", this particular set was purchased, yet never used. As a gun dealer, I know how that "never fired" stuff really works. However, if these were, in fact, never used and kept in the closed case, would this be why there is no cellrot...yet. Like I said, I have only seen pics. So I don't know if they are celluloid scales or not.

I've got celluloid scaled razors made before WWII, after, and 98% are fine. Referring to a couple of hundred that have come, and some have gone. OTOH, I've had 2 that came to me fine, and developed the rot. If you catch them early enough you can remove the scales and save the metal from corrosion. Chances are yours will be fine if they are celluloid. I don't recall exactly what causes it. Some scales are more susceptible. Some of the faux tortoise, the green Otto Deutsch 'Hans' are known to suffer cell rot, though some don't go that way. I keep mine in a cabinet, or a drawer. Dry and definitely out of the sun.

Here's some 'tech' info, after the 3.1 Introduction, I'm lost but I hope this is of some help.

JAIC 1991, Volume 30, Number 2, Article 3 (pp. 145 to 162)