Thread: C-mon Cadillac with clear scales

I picked this up last night for 23$ with free shipping, the guy is convinced it is horrible shape and completely worthless, he also contacted me after I already paid asking me if I am sure I wanted it because of how bad of shape it's in...???.?..

I think for that price I will be happy just to have the scales and the mint box, i have spent more on truly junk razors that couldn't be rebuilt and spent more on beer last night so it will be worth it to me..

I will post better photos when it arrives.

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I think it has cellrot on the blade because the scales are decomposing..
don't think the scales are usefull to use on another c-mon blade. I think it would be a risk.

I have some bad news for you, judging from the pitting on the blade the scales are suffering from what we call "cell rot".

Let me explain: Celluloid eventually breaks down, as it does so it will "out gas" (give off a gas), this gas can and will rust/pit steel. If you look at the picture you will notice that the pitting goes no higher on the blade than the scales when the blade is closed. Your razor is dying. Best bet, see if someone can replace the scales and save and re use the inlays while doing so.

I think the blade CAN be salvaged, it will be a shaver, but never again a "looker" certainly cell rot. a clear coat of acrylic could possibly seal it.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

I have some bad news for you, judging from the pitting on the blade the scales are suffering from what we call "cell rot".

Let me explain: Celluloid eventually breaks down, as it does so it will "out gas" (give off a gas), this gas can and will rust/pit steel. If you look at the picture you will notice that the pitting goes no higher on the blade than the scales when the blade is closed. Your razor is dying. Best bet, see if someone can replace the scales and save and re use the inlays while doing so.

Couldn't have explained it better!

I had the same thing om my dubl duck (now transformed to coboduck ).
Threw away the celluloid scales, but kept the inlays (got them out with acetone) and re-used them on new cocobolo scales.
It's the only way I think.

Hard to say from the pictures if there will be issues with restoring it. Very cool razor, I like the scales and I'm a sucker for anything Cadillac.

Oh wow, I didn't even notice the cell rot, I have read about it, but I guess I thought because they are clear they would be acrylic or plastic, not the old celluloid. So I didn't even look at that. But see it now.

Now I am depressed...... Lucky it wasn't much money. I keep having the same problem I see these buy it now razors that look like they are going to be good restore options and after posting here people point out some obviouse thing I should have seen.

Originally Posted by sidmind

Oh wow, I didn't even notice the cell rot, I have read about it, but I guess I thought because they are clear they would be acrylic or plastic, not the old celluloid. So I didn't even look at that. But see it now.

Now I am depressed...... Lucky it wasn't much money. I keep having the same problem I see these buy it now razors that look like they are going to be good restore options and after posting here people point out some obviouse thing I should have seen.

Don't be depressed, be thankful, it was a cheap lesson that both of us learned from. I have heard of cell rot and never seen a good example. You & I now know what to look for in a razor. Maybe the blade can be made shave ready; give it a try.

Thank you for posting it sidmind
&
Thank you Nun2Sharp and others here for the education.

I had 2 Dubl Duck Baby razors with clear scales that also were damaged by cell rot but worse than yours. I sent the razors to Joe Chandler and he was able to save the blades very nicely. There is still some pitting but it is very shallow. The scales were trashed of course.
There is hope !

is there a way to stop the cell rot processes?? maybe this is an ignorent question but can you seal old celluloid scales to stop the cell rot from damaging a blade? i assume no but figured i'd ask. thanks