Celluloid

[whoever]

I Just got a 132 red imp with refurbished cracked ice scales, only to discover they're celluloid, in decent condition. Can they be kept in good condition or will they decinigrate overtime and zi should segregate this one from the other until I put better scales on?
Thank you

 

[32t]

Red Imp scales are not good they shrink.

I have not had cracked ice scales but hear they are bad for cell rot.

At a minimum I would segregate them

 

[Bruno]

As you say, celluloid is a time bomb. I don't know it well enough to say 'when' but as far as I can remember, there is no way to predict when the process will start. And from what I remember from Glen, it's contagious so if the first one starts to go, the others will follow if they are close enough.
I'll ask Glen to jump in here.

 

[gssixgun]

As already mentioned

The Red Imp scales are notorious BUT a pic would really help and the makers used different scales
The Case are more prone to the problem and then the Ludo, the Morris is better then both of them

The Darker the red is the worse the progression is, WD-40 will slow it down on the Red Imps

Keep in mind the Insidious part of cell rot is that it doesn't work the same in all scales there were different formulas for the Celluloid so there are different reactions as the rot starts
Most of the info we have on how the process works comes from the Film Industry and the loss of many old movies that were left in the vaults on Celluloid Film
Some people dispute the claim that it is contagious, the Film Industry says it most certainly is, and we have a friend on the old SRP forum that lost 1/2 of his collection to it

There are certain scales that are prone to it

Cracked Ice scales made pre WW2, Dubl Duck, Craftsman, Friodur, Bartman,
The bright multi color scales almost looks like confetti
Puma Tortoise
Most of the scales were used on Solingen and American made razors but not all..

There are few hard and fast rules with it again because there were so many different formulas

 

[whoever]

As you say, celluloid is a time bomb. I don't know it well enough to say 'when' but as far as I can remember, there is no way to predict when the process will start. And from what I remember from Glen, it's contagious so if the first one starts to go, the others will follow if they are close enough.
I'll ask Glen to jump in here.

Would it only infecy other celluloid or will it also infect bone and wood

 

[whoever]

Cracked ice is what replaced the red imp scales but I don't know when they where produced

 

[gssixgun]

Cracked ice is what replaced the red imp scales but I don't know when they where produced

I am not seeing signs of Cell Rot in that pic

 

[32t]

Would it only infecy other celluloid or will it also infect bone and wood

The gas given off doesn't effect bone or wood but the steel.

If it is in an airtight container next to other blades the container will contain the gas and rust everything close to it.

If it is in your rotation and you store it in an open environment I would keep an eye on it and enjoy it.

Don't store it with other steel that you are not going to look at at least every week because you might get a nasty surprise in a year when you open the box.

 

[verndahl]

I'm probably taking a chance but i've had a DD Goldedge with original scales since i started SR shaving 8 years ago in my razor box with no sign of rot. I see no reason to change the scales. As said, enjoy it and keep an eye on it. ( i've read that sunlight might effect the speed of deteriotion which is why i keep it in my box.)

 

[rolodave]

I'm probably taking a chance but i've had a DD Goldedge with original scales since i started SR shaving 8 years ago in my razor box with no sign of rot. I see no reason to change the scales. As said, enjoy it and keep an eye on it. ( i've read that sunlight might effect the speed of deteriotion which is why i keep it in my box.)

I would not store any of the above mentioned scales in a box.

 

[whoever]

I am not seeing signs of Cell Rot in that pic

thaks what would the first smell be?

 

[Bruno]

thaks what would the first smell be?

There is a term called 'devil's spit' which basically means that the blade surface starts to develop dots of rust, especially where the steel is between the scales. If you see rust starting to appear in dots without other explanation, that would be a first indicator I think.

 

[whoever]

There is a term called 'devil's spit' which basically means that the blade surface starts to develop dots of rust, especially where the steel is between the scales. If you see rust starting to appear in dots without other explanation, that would be a first indicator I think.

So would wiping the cales down with wd-40 mow have any negative effect?

 

[Bruno]

I shouldn't think so. If Glen says it slows the process it should be safe to use before as well.