Thread: Classic example of Celluloid Rot

I had this razor sent to me recently. Opened it up, and whew. Yeah. Thats cell rot.

Check it out:

Regrinding is an option?

Originally Posted by Dimitry

Regrinding is an option?

Yes, but only if you take it out of those scales permanently. Otherwise, the rot will spread to the blade once more.

A real shame. Beautiful scales, and was a nice blade.
Please post pics after clean up.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Yes, but only if you take it out of those scales permanently. Otherwise, the rot will spread to the blade once more.

This brings up a question that's been running through my head for a couple of years now!!

I understand what Celluloid Rot is, I've seen many nice looking scales that are causing this kind of damage to the blade!

To save the scales could they either be 'sealed' such as with clear epoxy that's used on wood or perhaps a thin inside 'liner' glued to them to save them from the trash can?

I'm wondering about this as I cleaned up a good friends razor that was his grandfather's and it has nice looking celluloid scales that haven't started to breakdown yet!!

If there is a way to preserve his heirloom scales before they start to damage a very nice shaving blade I'd like to know of it!!

Thanks!

Roy

Indeed I was thinking the same thing, my wife and I are pretty crafty with meany different types of epoxys and sealers laying around the house, could they be epoxyed and not degrade the scales?

Sealing them wil more than likely lead to two things: the gasses coming off will create bubbles that you will never get out, and the problem continues, or the gasses are traped causing the epoxy to haze up if youare lucky, or it will eventually eat its way through. The off gassing is nitric acid or acetic acid... I forget which right off the top of my head.

The only way I know of to get rid of celluloid rot is get rid of the scales. Also, until you do get rid of the scales, say you are waiting to make or buy new ones, the razor should be quarentined (spelling?) from other razors as it is supposed to have the ability to spread.

IIRC, Bill Ellis has an interesting article about cell rot. I don't remember where I read it, maybe another member can furnish the link.

Does cell rot begin on the surface of the scales and work omnidirectionally, or begin internally and work its way outwards?

Originally Posted by tiddle

Sealing them wil more than likely lead to two things: the gasses coming off will create bubbles that you will never get out, and the problem continues, or the gasses are traped causing the epoxy to haze up if youare lucky, or it will eventually eat its way through. The off gassing is nitric acid or acetic acid... I forget which right off the top of my head.

Would it not be better to be tipped off by bubbling sealer or hazy scales, as opposed to the singular, irreversible option of a pitted blade? I'm wondering if there might be such a preventative/diagnostic measure, at the very least.