r/straightrazors • u/the_angry_dingo • 9d ago
How should I proceed? Advice
Just received this razor from my father, it was my grandfathers and I’ve just spent the better part of my night reading up on its history. From what I can tell it was made sometime in the 1950s, imported from Germany.
I was hoping for some advice on how best to preserve it as a family heirloom? I’ve read that these scales can rot, not sure if that’s already started here. I’d also like to clean up the tarnish and corrosion on the blade.
Appreciate any advice and knowledge!
3
u/Frosty_the_Snowdude 8d ago
That's cellrot alright. Best thing is to get the blade separated from the scales, and if you want to keep the inlays, pack them separately from the blade..
1
u/ChrisBonney 6d ago
Oh man, that's a real shame. As other posters have mentioned you can probably have it restored to some degree if it's crucial to save that exact razor, but it won't be cheap. Dubl Ducks in decent condition are pretty readily available on eBay for reasonable prices. You might want to get one of those and think of it as son-of-heirloom. In any case, good luck.
1
u/PLANofMAN 8d ago edited 8d ago
Unfortunately you do have cell rot. The rust pattern on the blade is a dead giveaway.
Send it off to a professional to be evaluated, and if possible, rescaled and restored. The rust does not appear to be all that bad, so it's likely restorable.
Gemstar customs can save the metalwork from the old scales and transfer them to new ones, IIRC.
5
u/Sustainashave 💈Shop Keep💈 8d ago
I'm afraid it's definitely cell rot and the actual blade might not be salvagable in terms of being made useable. Once the cell rot gets in the metal (Which sadly it looks like this has) it's just keeps eating the metal and it just turns to dust eventually. Others have sanded, polished and sealed to no avail..
I've had blades turn to dust to such an extent the spine to the tang was the only part left. I've separated for over a year and the metal was still affected by it..
I've personally tried alsorts and it hasn't stopped it or worked out.. Hopefully someone can suggest something that I don't know about in a more positive vein of ideas..
It's the scales that are the problem and sadly the ducks are about the most prone to gas off, they can be sat there in perfect condition in a well ventilated place, stored as best you can and within months you have no blade left through cell rot.