Identifing Celluloid Scales

I have W.H.Morley $ Sons with translucent, near transparent yellow scales. The hinge pin is missing a back side washer. There is no tension when open. The blade is in good shape. After b-hone and strop, it shaves very well. I have 320, 400, & 600 grit Mirka brand sandpaper [made in Finland] to begin polishing.

But the scales... sickly yellow, dirty. A chip reveals organic-like layers, similar to a damaged finger nail. Reminds me of those flying cockroaches we have in the South.

Is this celluloid? I don't want to acetone test. It seems a destructive procedure, melting the piece so I can say," Yup, that was celluloid". Any cautions about CLR, alcohol, or bleach? Dawn dish liquid got some gunk out, but I'm not happy yet.

horn

The crumb you threw gave me confirmation! Horn it is.
I found something similar at http://shavenook.com/showthread.php?tid=30662
Same color. same chip pattern.

Glad to be of help.

Some use neatsfoot oil to rehydrate. Progressively sand to higher grits to restore luster.

Global has you on the right track. Those will clean up nicely.

Definitely horn, give it a soak in neatsfoot oil and then sand and polish-it will look like new

When I purchased my Poor Man's Strop From WhippedDog.com, it came with a packet of oil.
I'm not sure but it might be Neatsfoot!

You can get it at the Lowe's for cheap.

I do visit Lowe's quite often.
Hard not to stifle my inner dialogue as I move thru the store.
I managed an Eighty Four Store during the mid to late '80's.

a lot of the time for reference, if you give suspected celluloid a rub with your thumb and sniff you may well smell camphor

Suspecting the age sapped the smell, I did the rub but detected none.
A neighbor planted a camphor in their yard decades ago.
I keep cutting down baby trees that sprout in my azaleas. I know the scent well.