This morning, while shaving, I noticed a terrible smell coming from the joint of my razor (where the scales connect to the tang). It smelled very carbon-y. I imagine this is from some kind of improper care, although I'm not sure exactly what kind. Also, is there any way to make this smell go away? Anybody else experienced this?
Thinking back on it, I just stropped with abrasives. Would this cause this?
Question about rust
Question about rust
—Coltrane
Ceci n'est pas une rasoir.
Ceci n'est pas une rasoir.
Does it have celluloid scales? If so place it in quarantine and start thinking about new scales. When celluloid decomposes it sometimes does so at an accelerated rate, the reasons for this are uncertain. But it seems the vapours given off by rotting celluloid will not only rust and pit a blade, they seem to start the process in nearby celluloid scales.
Chris
Chris
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
I don't think it's celluloid. It just looks like plain dark colored plastic. I might be wrong, though it isn't shiny at all. How would I find out?drmoss_ca wrote:Does it have celluloid scales? If so place it in quarantine and start thinking about new scales. When celluloid decomposes it sometimes does so at an accelerated rate, the reasons for this are uncertain. But it seems the vapours given off by rotting celluloid will not only rust and pit a blade, they seem to start the process in nearby celluloid scales.
Chris
—Coltrane
Ceci n'est pas une rasoir.
Ceci n'est pas une rasoir.
I think that's a Liberty Bell razor, so it was made just after 1900, and the scales are likely celluloid. Camphor is part of the manufacturing process of celluloid and it may be that which you describe as 'carcinogenic'. Generally, the colour of celluloid affects its stability, and translucent and green scales have been considered by some to be especially prone to rot.
Lacking a sniff of the scales, I can only suggest you quarantine it, and if it is a razor you love, consider a re-scale. If it is your only straight, you can carry on as usual, as it won't matter. (But I never heard of a straight shaver who didn't end up acquiring - very necessary, my dear - many more than one razor!)
Chris
Lacking a sniff of the scales, I can only suggest you quarantine it, and if it is a razor you love, consider a re-scale. If it is your only straight, you can carry on as usual, as it won't matter. (But I never heard of a straight shaver who didn't end up acquiring - very necessary, my dear - many more than one razor!)
Chris
"Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse."
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Pierre-Simon de Laplace
Thanks! I'm sure I will get used to it in any case. It's my only razor right now, so I guess it doesn't matter anyway. My birthday's coming up in a few months, though, so maybe then I'll have the fungible assets to obtain a new facial exfoliation device, and at that point, I'll consider quarantine.drmoss_ca wrote:I think that's a Liberty Bell razor, so it was made just after 1900, and the scales are likely celluloid. Camphor is part of the manufacturing process of celluloid and it may be that which you describe as 'carcinogenic'. Generally, the colour of celluloid affects its stability, and translucent and green scales have been considered by some to be especially prone to rot.
Lacking a sniff of the scales, I can only suggest you quarantine it, and if it is a razor you love, consider a re-scale. If it is your only straight, you can carry on as usual, as it won't matter. (But I never heard of a straight shaver who didn't end up acquiring - very necessary, my dear - many more than one razor!)
Chris
—Coltrane
Ceci n'est pas une rasoir.
Ceci n'est pas une rasoir.