All About Pocket Knives

Does anyone know if the Camillus 33 (on the bottom) is delrin or bone? The top knife is a Simmons Hardware jack, in case you were wondering. Thanks!

Knife appears to be jigged composition, I don't think it is delrin.

Thanks!

What is the difference between composition and delrin? Aren't they both synthetics? I know Case calls their work line delrin and their yellow handles, yellow composition. Thanks a lot!

JWW

Judging from the shrinkage on the handle I think it is probably jigged black celluloid, because Delrin does not shrink.

Delrin is Polyoxymethylene, a polymer that has high strength, hardness and rigidity, low friction and is very dimensionally stable (doesn’t shrink or swell). It is stable down to -40° C (also -40° F) and up to +162-173° C (about 324° - 340F°).

The advantage of Delrin is that it is far more stable and durable than the earlier plastics used for knife handles.

jww wrote:What is the difference between composition and delrin? Aren't they both synthetics? I know Case calls their work line delrin and their yellow handles, yellow composition. Thanks a lot!

JWW

I think the term “composition” is used in the knife industry and by collectors to denote a handle made of an unidentified man made substance, usually a plastic of some sort, though some of the early ones may have been made from rubber.

Judging from the yellow Cases I have I think Delrin is quite a bit harder than the yellow composite Case uses. I know it is much harder than the yellow composite Camillus used on their Yello-Jaket series.

Thanks for the info, orvet!

I dig that bottom knife! ::envy::

gino wrote:I dig that bottom knife! ::envy::

I agree Gino, great pattern!
The only thing wrong is a little shrinkage of the handles.
Some new bone handles and you have a real prize!

It would be even sweeter! I agree! ::dream::