A current ebay listing has this fine specimen of a Solingen-made straight razor that is a perfect example of what can happen to a blade when the celluloid scales begin deteriorating, emitting gases that corrode the carbon steel blade. The listing states, "The blade has some rust on both sides."—which is true, (as is the statement, "Flint, Michigan has some crime") but is only half the story. The scales, described as "...a great gray swirled handle with Solingen embossed on it" are already in the process of decomposing and are not redeemable, no matter how 'nice' they appear. Best to avoid these types of razors whenever they pop up on eBay.
And what's worse, cell rot is contagious and will affect the steel in other razors (or metal) stored within close proximity of the one that is in the stages of breaking down. Not to go into an organic chemistry lesson; cell rot is the deterioration of the celluloid breaking down and releasing the nitrate groups. Nitric acid being the bad actor in the group that causes the corrosion on the blades. This acid is released as a vapor, hence it's ability to migrate and affect other metals close by. The breakdown does not cause other celluloid scales to begin to breakdown, so the word "contagious" is not totally correct...... I have not had the "privilege" of experiencing cell rot first hand. Thankfully. As a side note: I only use Fender 351 guitar picks, which are made of celluloid.
Yee... ow.. None of the razors I have are suffering from that. Not even the one with heavy honing signs at the spine.
Dubl Duck razors have an alarming amount that have cell rot damage. At leasst the ones I've seen on eBay.
Okay, I have a question. I order to avoid this from happening to our beloved razors, should we ditch the celluloid scales now on our razors? Is there a way if telling when the celluloid is about to break down?
I don't bother. If I see rot starting to happen, then I will dispose of the scales. In the mean time, I oil the blades, and keep all my razors in a rotation, that way every couple of months I will be looking each razor over well.
Part of the problem in ditching the scales is often a considerable amount of the value of these vintage razors that suffer CR is in the fancy bolstered celluloid scales (i.e. Dubl Ducks, Otto Deutsch, etc.). To help preserve them, best to store the razors out of the light and keep them dry (same preventative actions are taken in preserving old celluloid film reels).
I didn't know they really tried to preserve them. Most of them are so damned dangerous, they just stabilize them, then duplicate them. If you find an OLD (1920's for example) movie reel, do NOT do anything with it. There are people that will remove it and preserve it for free - because they're just one step from dynamite.
There is much conjecture about Cell Rot Mostly because there were many different recipes used throughout the years .. There are really no set rules, other then once it starts you need to get the scales off the razor I often link info from other Antiques collector site when talking about it because they have been into watching it much longer This is a new one I found but there are tons more out there https://www.thespruce.com/what-to-know-about-celluloid-149074 As to the contagious aspect,, here is what I can tell you as fact, I personally know two razor collectors that had it migrate from razor to razor and destroy $1000's The Film Industry believes it to migrate... Myself I have never witnessed it first hand, I have heard arguments both ways, so take it how you want .
This is conjecture on my part, but it would fit. Cell rot may be caused by a fungus. 1) It's cellulose, and a lot of plants are damaged by fungus, or targeted. Depending on the starting material, celluloid could be more or less vulnerable. 2) It would explain the 'rot' spreading. I wonder if anyone took scales with cell rot and tried hitting them with the antifungal treatment that's sold for roses. I've used it (successfully) to combat dry rot in an attic.
