All About Pocket Knives

What is the correct name for this handle material???

Noxin -Germay 1920 -1940
Kutmaster -USA 1930 -1940

Thanks for lookin!

???

Looks like a couple of variations of butter 'n molasses celluloid to me. Eric

Thanks Eric
I dont know the proper name hopefully someone does.

Gino, I've got one similar to the Noxin you show; I always thought the handle was horn (as in cow horn).

Coffee, any pics of the knife??

that sounds like a name that fits.

maybe, if I can remember how to do this . . . .

I have three that have similar looking handles. I don't have pics of any of them at the moment. I have a Klaas, a Wusthof, and a Krusius that are all made in Soligen. They are very pretty handles, but I believe the material to be celluloid.

I have heard that type cel referred to as 'Irish Soap'.

Coffee - that bottom knifes handle looks the exact same.
Paladin - That sounds good I like that name. I never heard of it before but then again I never knew what it was called. LOL!!
Knife girl - - I own many cell knives and this just has a different look and feel than the rest thats why I thought there had to be a specific name for this type.
Thanks for all your time and interest everyone.

Gino - I am kinda in the same boat as you. I have an old? Boker USA with odd handles that do not appear to be celluloid. They remind me of horn but I don't know about the coloration. See pic.

It is possible that yours is real horn. I just have three that I think are simulated. Having a knife in your hand is much better than seeing it on a computer screen.

Thanks KG888 - It doesn't look like nor feel like cell, no shrinkage nor any cracking. Maybe it is horn.

tjmurphy wrote:Thanks KG888 - It doesn't look like nor feel like cell, no shrinkage nor any cracking. Maybe it is horn.

TJ,
Check it with a loupe. If it is real horn it will have pores, or veins, for blood circulation.

Hey Ray - Thanks. I looked at it through an 8X and saw no pores, but then, I looked at one that I know is ram's horn and saw no pores either, just some striations. Maybe those are pores cut on the longitudinal?

Mine have the small striatons also. Im stumped??? Doesnt have the feel of cell tho thats for sure.

Tj,
I looked at some of mine with a 20x magnifier and still had a hard time seein them. My eyes are NOT what they used to be however.
Mark

The top knife I posted is Def not cell but the bottom one I think is. I still need help with the top one pictured. What the heck is it. Horn of some kind?

any other ideas?

Gino, I took another look at mine at 25x magnification. Whatever it is, I don't think it is horn. I'm inclined to think it is celluloid; it has the same pattern as "French ivory." I tried the hot water test for cell and got nothing (but as many times as my nose has been broken, I don't have much of a sense of smell left).

No shrinkage, no smell . . . doesn't feel like celluloid . . . and it isn't bakelite.

There's always the acid--well, acetone--test: acetone will rapidly dissolve celluloid. I guess you could try a drop on the tip of a pin in an inconspicuous place. If it dissolves in 10 seconds or so, it is celluloid. I'm taking the easy way out and putting my knife in with the others I'll sell, the next guy who owns it can figure it out!

havent done the tests yet. I am gonna wait to see if anyone knows for sure what they are.

Still hoping for an answer

I've got a German made knife with that exact same black and white striated scale material. No shrinkage and in excellent condition. I can't figure out what it is either but I suspect some kind of high density plastic rather than celluloid.

Gino,

Could I see a picture of the knife with the blades open.

And a close up of all tang stamps.