All About Pocket Knives

jerryd6818 wrote:

orvet wrote:I have heard most American companies stopped using it in the 1960s.
There are a few exceptions, but most seem to have stopped using as much as they did before that time.

Dale

So the handles on my '96 - '97 Family Tree doctor knives (made by Queen) and my Case Classic, Candy Strip and Waterfall handled doctor knives (also 1990s) are most likely not celluloid?

I think those you mention are exceptions to that.
I thought that 1960s date was mentioned in the earlier article "Celluloid, A Firm Maybe" but I could not find it. Perhaps I was remembering incorrectly or am just confused (a state with I am becoming more and more familiar with as I age).

As Pete suggested, I would contact the companies who made the knives and see if they are indeed celluloid.
There are new materials on the market which are very colorful, though none that I have personally that have the color and beauty of celluloid.

Celluloid really scares me, but the knives are so beautiful that I have a few pieces. On some historical patterns it is sometimes difficult to find ones that are not celluloid. Catch -22.

I know that Queen has used some celluloid in the last 15-20 years. I have a newer Queen product in my shop right now, (with handles removed - waiting for new handles), that had gassing celluloid on it.

I am in agreement with Pete as well in that all the Candy Stripe handles I have seen are celluloid. I would also all that all the Christmas Tree handles I have seen are celluloid also.

Sorry for any confusion,
Dale

Just for information, knifers are not the only ones that are plagued by celluloid. From early on, up until about the mid 1970's, guitar makers, especially Martin, used celluloid as the material for pick guards on the guitars, and to make matters worse, they would stick the pick guard on the bare wood and then finish over the whole top including the pick guard. What would happen is that the celluloid pick guard would shrink and crack the guitar tops along the grain, which if not fixed, would crack the whole top down to the glued on bridge. Also, guitar and mandolin makers would use celluloid for the top and back bindings which would degrade and flake off. I read in one instance where it destroyed the top of the guitar. These were mostly the guitars left in the case for long periods of time and placed in closets, attics or under beds. Celluloid is not our friend.

danno50 wrote:I assume that the current Case yellow knives are not celluloid?? Does anyone know when they quit using celluloid? I have a 1976 Case whittler with what is listed as white composite scales. I had alllways assumed this was not celluloid?
Dan

Hello Dan; I had alllways assumed this was not celluloid?
Please do not use the I assumed when it comes to your money on any thing. The word ass/u/me can come up and bite you.
I had about 6 yellow died bone Case knives. You all know I like them yellow ones. I first Ren-Waxed them and, then put some info in my computer. I placed them in a plastic bag to keep them all together, with a copy of what was on ebay or where ever I got it from. They all had factory boxes and wrapped in the factory paper. About 6 mo. later I looked at them. The yellow and light brown was almost gone.. .. Man was I sick. I set them out on my table in the sunlight and the color came back. Just something about the PLASTIC Bag’s had some reaction on them. Perhaps I have magic knives... ...

The best thing I can say is "do NOT use PLASTIC Bag’s with your knives." Cells or not.

Ken

speaking of other things... celluloid was used on so many of what we now call collectibles
from flask inlays to bullet pencils and so on and so on...

Here are some survivors, all Cattaraugus.

I know celluloid is the boogeyman but they're so gosh darn pretty. Thanks for posting those little beauties.

Thanks, I have a bunch of Cattaraugus knives and fancy razors with no problems. I check them quite often. The last celluloid I had go bad was on a KA-BAR 4 blade folding hunter, I peeled the scales off and sold it as a parts knife. Figured I would see it on ebay some day.

It's a difficult decision. Sell now and not get as much out of them as you (the royal you) might at a later date after (or make that if) the knife market rebounds which might be after you're dead OR keep them and if they out gas, get even less or nothing out of them. Decisions, decisions.

Ken, thanks for the warning, assumptions can be costly. I keep my known celluloid knives on a bookshelf in my living room, will away from the rest of my knives. Perhaps I should place my 1976 Case 4380 there as well, just to be sure.

Dan

Ha danno50 that sounds like a GR8 idea. Your Case will get seen a lot more this way to. I hope the sun does not shine on the bookshelf, cuz that can set off the Cells. I am not sure if it is the sunlight or the temperature from being in the sun. Perhaps some one in the sunshine states can tell us what sun shine temperature get up to. I do know when I get sunburant arms and then have the sunshine on it, it does hurt more...

ken

Here's one that never wound up in here Ken!
Bulldog Brand Sunfish in celluloid, this is a big O' hunk of a knife!

I have never yet met a man or women that had a knife like that in their pocket yet.

Kool looking knife 46. Thanks for showing her....

Ken

It's a big O' Toe Ken! I don't think anyone would want to carry it in their pocket.

One more to put in here Ken, the Bulldog Sowbelly Coonstripe. I think this is second Generation, my all time favorite knife I own. Pinched, slanted bolsters and the fighting Pit Bulls on the main blade etch. Had to add it for Ken's celluloid thread.

WOW WEEEE...

The sowbellies just feel kool in my hand.

This one is GORGEOUS.

If you ever want to let her go. Look me up please.

My lady Cells would love to have her join my harem.

Would make great gift for the farmer who lets you hunt on his land or the special person in your life for Christmas....

Ken, this one Ain't a goin anywhere but thanks for the invite!

I think this is interesting, here's what a celluloid looks like when it's Gassin out!
Check out this auction. This knife is on a quick trip to DEATH, IMO.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fightn-Rooster-Soli ... 5031wt_736

Its a perfect candidate for a re-handle job.

You're right, if it's not too late Johnnie. That thing looks pretty roached already.

How about some candy stripe cells?

C'mon Johnnie, give us a little more information than that. Who made these beauties??

...The toothpick of course is a S&M....the Scout is a Pal Cutlery.

Here's 1930s Imperial Cattleman pattern I just got in the mail today.

BEAUTIFUL!!

It's odd how the celluloid on those old Imperials holds up so well and the celluloid on that Fightin' Rooster earlier in the thread has gone completely south. Great old Imperial.