Cell Rot PSA: Smell Your Scales

[Steve56]

Looks like you caught it in time.

Join the party if you still have the scales, put one in a plastic bag and the other open to air in a safe location and let’s see what happens and when. Cheap thrills, lol.

 

[alex1921]

Yup. Took the scales off, lightly sanded it and packed it for shipping out tomorrow to Rhode Island.

And that's despite using Renwax to coat the razor because I had a suspicion something was wrong.

 

[Steve56]

Celluloid can be some of the most beautiful plastics ever made, and still is. Cell rot affects pens, guitars, knives, and many other things besides straight razors. I think one of the problems with it with respect to our hobby is that all razors are ‘consumable’ in the sense that they get used up over time, and I’m sure that the makers of these beautiful celluloid-scaled razors in the 1920s and 1930s never even considered that they would be around 100 years later. And they didn’t have equally pretty alternative materials.

 

[Legion]

Celluloid can be some of the most beautiful plastics ever made, and still is. Cell rot affects pens, guitars, knives, and many other things besides straight razors. I think one of the problems with it with respect to our hobby is that all razors are ‘consumable’ in the sense that they get used up over time, and I’m sure that the makers of these beautiful celluloid-scaled razors in the 1920s and 1930s never even considered that they would be around 100 years later. And they didn’t have equally pretty alternative materials.

Plus, a lot of the other items with celluloid that breaks down do not have it in such close proximity to high carbon steel, so we get the double whammy of bad scales and a ruined blade.

 

[DesertIguana]

Rot is from moisture, had a good case of it after leaving military on both FEET, too much time in Water, and not enough clean dry socks.


Have any of you with Straight Razor Rot considered using Hearing Aid Dehumidification Beads to remove moisture. When they are most you put on player plate Microwave they turn Blue say they are completely read to be used again. Cheap fix to remove moisture, with color code tell system.


Only word of caution is the BEAD after being Microwave are hotter the Devil Playground, do not touch until cool. If you do they will burn you.

Beads are very cheap.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Rot is from moisture

"Cell Rot" is what happens when celluloid plastic breaks down.

 

[DesertIguana]

"Cell Rot" is what happens when celluloid plastic breaks down.

Well I was trying to make suggestion to remove moisture.

 

[silverlifter]

Well I was trying to make suggestion to remove moisture.

Read the entire thread before posting product placements.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well I stand by my idea, mositure is the enemy of a lot of things. Moisture cause rust, molt, and rot. Elimating moisture is not a bad idea.

 

[alex1921]

If only things were so simple. If moisture was the problem then I wouldn't have any issues because the razor was stored dry in a dark environment. This is cell rot not moisture induced rust.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Was this that big Goldedge, Alex?

 

[Steve56]

Keeping carbon steel dry is certainly a good thing, no doubt about that. Whether or not humidity can accelerate cellulose decomposition I do not know. Certainly the scales in the OP were ready to ‘go’ when I got them, from the sour smell.

 

[Tomo]

Thanks for the heads up. I thought this was a condition that only affected yellow or cracked ice type scales. I didn’t realize that black scales were also affected. I’ll definitely be sniffing my scales more frequently from now on.

 

[psfred]

Black cellluloid almost certainly contains carbon black, which protects the plastic from UV and absorbs NOx, until it cannot. Slower to degrage, but I suspect ALL cellulose nitrate objects will eventually degrade. Exposure to UV radiation greatly accelerates the chemical changes, but once those changes start they are self-catalyzing, and once free nitric acid starts escaping the scales will melt and corrode any metal close. Watch for corroded pins and washers when buying razors, they are in contact with the plastic and will corrode before the blade shows obvious signs.

100 years ago no one knew that celluloid objects would degrade like the do now, although clear film base was already known to be a problem.

 

[alex1921]

Was this that big Goldedge, Alex?

Yes. If I remember correctly it came from Ukraine.

 

[Doc226]

Well, scales don't smell but this is what happened.

View attachment 1938080

Cured

 

[alex1921]

View attachment 1944302
View attachment 1944303
Cured

Thank you Alfredo. Looks great!

 

[mcee_sharp]

Black cellluloid almost certainly contains carbon black, which protects the plastic from UV and absorbs NOx, until it cannot. Slower to degrage, but I suspect ALL cellulose nitrate objects will eventually degrade. Exposure to UV radiation greatly accelerates the chemical changes, but once those changes start they are self-catalyzing, and once free nitric acid starts escaping the scales will melt and corrode any metal close. Watch for corroded pins and washers when buying razors, they are in contact with the plastic and will corrode before the blade shows obvious signs.

100 years ago no one knew that celluloid objects would degrade like the do now, although clear film base was already known to be a problem.

I believe of my 5 SR, only 1 has celluloid and it happens to be the ultra black kind. Thankfully they're not beautiful in anyway and I wouldn't be sad to replace them as it would likely be a big improvement.

I admit I do avoid a lot of razors I see for purchase that have absolutely stunning (cell) scales, nothing could replace them and look near as nice a lot of the time.

 

[mcee_sharp]

Keeping carbon steel dry is certainly a good thing, no doubt about that. Whether or not humidity can accelerate cellulose decomposition I do not know. Certainly the scales in the OP were ready to ‘go’ when I got them, from the sour smell.

Fortunately it's a struggle to keep our indoor humidity as HIGH as 30% in Calgary, AB. I still treat my SR like they'll rust if I blink though.

 

[Frank Shaves]

Those scales look fantastic on that razor! Alfredo (@Doc226), what material did you use?