All About Pocket Knives

Good Morning!

I picked up this do-dad today at the flea, thinking it was probably a "Corn Knife." I'm not sure what makes a corn knife a corn knife, anyway, besides being clearly marked as such. The blades on this are similar to the marked corn knives I have, and the handle material seems consistent. Did case make a Corn Knife during the tested era?

Bill

Thinking that's an "office knife". On most, "Office Knife" is written in really fancy calligraphy/cursive on the front scale. You've got the pen blade for sharpening pencils, and the spey blade for erasing ink. I've actually done (albeit with an ordinary Stockman) it since you can't find ink erasers these days in stores, and I hate erasable ink pens (which have really runny ink that gets all over your hands and is hard to get off).

It's in really good shape for its age!

I agree, looks like what’s called an “office knife”. Most likely celluloid handles (hard to tell from pictures) so keep an eye on it for signs of outgassing. It may never do it, but if/when it does it’ll likely go fast.

Ken

Shucks! I don't know why I didn't think Office Knife. That's exactly what it is. Thanks for the replies!

Bill

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:28 pm I agree, looks like what’s called an “office knife”. Most likely celluloid handles (hard to tell from pictures) so keep an eye on it for signs of outgassing. It may never do it, but if/when it does it’ll likely go fast.

Ken

It's my understanding that imitation ivory celluloid is pretty stable. I've got a Pal Stockman that's never gave me a bit of trouble, but I've carried and used it regularly since I got it.

But with celluloid, it's basically "it ain't if, but when", and some types are less likely than others. I've become super-paranoid after having a Buck Creek outgas. Luckily, I ripped the handles off right when the blades were just starting to tarnish, and it just started smelling like mothballs.