That title sounds totally wrong. Anyway, today at antique shop I saw a C-MON razor. The blade was completely coated in a light layer of rust and the inner end was broken. However, those yellow scales and the metal filigree was all in excellent condition; no cracks or wear that I could see. The owner asked 16.50 and probably would come down a little. Would it be worth that for resale just for the scales? Sorry I did not think to take a picture.
Rust can easily be removed if it isn't too deep. What's concerning is where it's broken. I've added a reference of the parts of a str8, which should help you better explain the area. Even though the metal is pretty and the scales are georgeous; if the blade has been compromised, it's nothing by a letter opener. Pics would have been much better for you to get help assessing the razor. Look carefully at the edge for chips and any othe cracks. Tiny chips can oftentimes be honed out.
On this one I believe it was the corner below the shoulder that has a pretty major chip in it...the whole corner gone. The entire blade was pretty uniformly covered with thin red rust. I thought if somebody needed or wanted that kind of handle, they could transplant another blade into it...but then I know nothing about straights.
Now your really stretching, lol. You should have taken a pic of the razor. A picture equals 1,000 words, right? A whole corner gone sounds like a big "no go." Light rust could be taken care of, or it could be covering up even worse problems. You speak so highly of the scales...are they made of unicorn eyelashes?? Why are they so special? It sounds like you should pass on it. Too much unknown. Even if you could salvage the scales, there likely wouldn't be enough profit to make it worthwhile.
Classic C-Mon scales do add value but only if the razor has the appropriate blade (i.e. An actual c-mon blade). If the blade is beyond repair, the scales can be salvaged and matched with another blade of the same maker
I'll try to get back there next weekend, pics then. Edit...I see they're open late W-F, I can stop in after work.
You need to confirm that the rust isn't cell rot. If it is, its from the scales off-gassing and they are beyond saving, even if they look nice. I would post some pics here before paying anything for this razor. Good luck.
Thanks, will do. Straights is one rabbit hole I will not allow myself to go down, so I just figured I might be helping somebody here if it was worth me picking up for them. You all can tell me when I post pics.
If the rust spans the blade (at approximate scale edge height) from toe to heel, you can bet dollars-to-donuts it is cell-rot and both the scales AND broken blade are toast.
Sounds like a missing heel. Redeemable if one doesn't mind a heel-less shaver... This Tanifuji Favorit lost its heel somewhere along the way but was ground to create a more classic japanese 2" wide razor shape. Wonderful razor...sans heel.
No blackness anywhere on this one, that I recall...all reddish, all over. Imagine a very light misting of red oxide primer sprayed over every millimeter of steel. That's what it looks like.
Yes. Here is an old thread that might help you. http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/cell-rot.41682/
Fascinating read, I am much enlightened, thanks. The frosted rust descriptor describes that blade perfectly.
No expert here but aren't the C-Mon second only to Dubl Ducks when it comes to reported cases of cell rot? If I am correct, both companies used cellulose scales fairly commonly
