So bought this razor before I'd completely researched it. Had I known, I'd probably not have sprung for it. The blade is in what I (a complete newbie) think looks like beautiful shape though the scales have started to warp, indicating the dreaded celluloid off-gassing. Getting my first, in-person, look at the blade today, I noticed dark spots at the heel and the toe on both sides and along the spine They aren't horrible but they didn't readily come off with the few minutes of polishing I did with a jeweler's cloth and a bit of Sharpal chromium oxide. No rust that I can see. (in the pictures, especially at the spine, it looks like pitting, but I'm pretty sure it's not; it feels completely smooth, running my fingernail over it). So I guess my question is this: are these blemishes the start of cell rot? If so, what can I do to save this blade? (For now, I'm keeping it stored blade-open, in open, dry air, away from sunlight).
I’m no expert but cell rot generally shows up across the whole area where the blade sits below the scales when folded.
I don't work on razors, but on cell rot on brushes ..... once it starts it doesn't stop. It's truly like a bad apple; better to get rid of it to save the rest. Personally I would make new scales to preserve the blade. That's my two cents. BTW great looking blade.
To me, it looks like it has had "Cell Rot", and whoever had it before restored it, to minimize the pitting. I have restored an Otto Deautch Hans many years ago, that was pretty bad. Yours looks minimal. But, it can get worse, fast. The only way you can keep it from rotting more is to: 1. Get rid of the scales, save the Silver on the scales, and have them transferred to the new scales. Ask @gssixgun about this. He has done this before. or 2. Store the razor open, in an area away from other razors(8+inches away) not in a closed off box or area. Be ready to polish the silver on the scales a couple of times a year, to keep it looking nice.
I knew I had the pics someplace That was the last one I did, this takes a ton of fitting and shaping to get right, even then after all that work they are simply Glued/Epoxied back on they are never "Inlayed" like the original
I had an Otto Deutsch cell rot on me shortly after purchase. I sent it back to the vendor and he was kind enough to clean the blade up and make new scales. Enclosed youcan see the before and after photos.
