All About Pocket Knives

This is a CASE Centennial Penknife that I've had for some time. As you can see
the metal flake (or whatever it is) under the clear celluloid handle is starting to
discolor. I'm looking for recommendations as to whether I should leave it alone
or remove the handles and replace them with something like a smooth bone or
maybe Micarta. And of course I want to try and save the CASE shield.
Anyway I know there is a big difference between the Knife Kits I've been doing
and what I'm asking here. I think my skills are up for it, I'm just undecided yet.

At the very least, I would remove the scales. It might look horrible, but you're preventing it from getting any worse.

I may sound paranoid, but I've dealt with the aftermath of one knife outgassing for at least 2-3 years unchecked in my Granddad's collection destroying the Boker Stockman and causing quite severe damage to a dozen knives stored near it, and caught a Buck Creek before it went bad.


By the way, this Kirinite is a close match to the original scales but is acrylic. It is also stable.

https://www.kirinite.com/collections/st ... d-stardust

Definitely outgassing.
I would remove the celluloid.

cody6268 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:35 pm At the very least, I would remove the scales. It might look horrible, but you're preventing it from getting any worse.

I may sound paranoid, but I've dealt with the aftermath of one knife outgassing for at least 2-3 years unchecked in my Granddad's collection destroying the Boker Stockman and causing quite severe damage to a dozen knives stored near it, and caught a Buck Creek before it went bad.


By the way, this Kirinite is a close match to the original scales but is acrylic. It is also stable.

https://www.kirinite.com/collections/st ... d-stardust

Cody that was a great idea. I had read some about Kirinite, but have not used it, so I ordered what you showed me and some White Pearl for another project. At least if that works I will have restored the knife to it's "almost" original appearance.

I can’t wait to see how it turns out! That was a good call on the kirinaite Cody!

Kirinite is a material I used to say "looks dumb" for many years. As someone getting into knife repair myself, the more I like it. Celluloid outgasses. Real pearl is stupidly expensive. Stag and bone look good, but if one is trying to make a knife look as close to original as possible, that's not good. Also, both choices are expensive. Some woods are as well. Kirinite does match the old patterns of celluloid quite nicely, all the while being perfectly stable. And for a newbie, not as much finishing has to be done as natural materials. And, if one chooses the right pattern, it looks perfectly in line with the celluloid patterns found on older knives. Unlike, say, G-10/Micarta--which I don't think was ever used on a knife until the '60s. And I hear dust from working these materials is really nasty stuff even with proper PPE. Plus, Kirinite doesn't seem as prone to cracking. And not too expensive either. That's what sunk the stag idea I had when I was exploring getting the Buck Creek sent to a professional, which I may still do since it is a sentimental knife.

I am getting this stuff to replace the cell handles that went bad on the Buck Creek, as well as a really old Keen Kutter penknife I have with the handles completely gone (wood had been crudely shaped, and poorly glued in their place, and they fell off). The only similar Keen Kutter I found to it had MOP handles.

https://www.kirinite.com/products/kirin ... ique-pearl

I have a Kutmaster Barlow that I mostly use as a work knife. It has Delrin handles, which I suppose got hot at one point, and they have shrunken quite a bit. They look bad. This stuff is mildly ugly but lose-proof. I just wish they had an orange option. That one I will do myself for sure.


https://www.kirinite.com/collections/st ... neon-green

Kirinite is a good choice for a rehandle. Its easy to work, tough and looks good and comes in many colors and patterns. I used Kirinite Patriot on this Kamp King that I did a full conversion to brass bolsters and scales from the shell handle original.

cody6268 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:35 pm At the very least, I would remove the scales. It might look horrible, but you're preventing it from getting any worse.

I may sound paranoid, but I've dealt with the aftermath of one knife outgassing for at least 2-3 years unchecked in my Granddad's collection destroying the Boker Stockman and causing quite severe damage to a dozen knives stored near it, and caught a Buck Creek before it went bad.


By the way, this Kirinite is a close match to the original scales but is acrylic. It is also stable.

https://www.kirinite.com/collections/st ... d-stardust

Cody, you are absolutely right about the outgassing celluloid. I have worked on dozens of knives that originally had celluloid scales. On another note, thanks for the link to the kirinite place! I've been looking for a good substitute for genuine MOP and the white pearl they have looked pretty good, so I just ordered a sheet. I have an old Case Bradford with MOP that I need to replace and I don't even want to try working with real MOP (for a variety of reasons). I can't wait to see how it goes. Thanks again!

Well Cody it looks like you have made several of us happy today. I plan to go to work right away
when I get my order. I will come back to this thread when I have finished the project. Thanks!

I have a Kutmaster Barlow that I mostly use as a work knife. It has Delrin handles, which I suppose got hot at one point, and they have shrunken quite a bit. They look bad. This stuff is mildly ugly but lose-proof. I just wish they had an orange option. That one I will do myself for sure.

Cody FYI, Kaleb (Muskrat Man) has yellow, orange, green and red composition in his store. I've used the yellow to replace outgassing yellow celluloid and it is great stuff. I haven't tried the other colors yet.

https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/ca ... 45&path=56

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 11:03 pm Kirinite is a good choice for a rehandle. Its easy to work, tough and looks good and comes in many colors and patterns. I used Kirinite Patriot on this Kamp King that I did a full conversion to brass bolsters and scales from the shell handle original.

IMG_4237.JPG

Thanks for showing your knife. It looks like you did a very good job on it.

cody6268 wrote: ↑Sun Apr 04, 2021 10:53 pm Kirinite is a material I used to say "looks dumb" for many years. As someone getting into knife repair myself, the more I like it. Celluloid outgasses. Real pearl is stupidly expensive. Stag and bone look good, but if one is trying to make a knife look as close to original as possible, that's not good. Also, both choices are expensive. Some woods are as well. Kirinite does match the old patterns of celluloid quite nicely, all the while being perfectly stable.

I used Kyranite on this old Schrade hunter.....

before..... after......
I used the Kyranite because I thought it looked closest to the "mother of toilet seat" type of material used originally.
BUT.... Kyranite does make a NICE knife handle cover!
SO... I would vote for Kyranite.

Here's one that I saved with that exact color kirinite. Don't think I could have found a closer match...

Before After
Can't wait to see what you do with yours!

MAN....
That yellow glitter Kyranite is some FINE looking stuff.

You did a great job on that knife Glenn!

glennbad wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:53 pm Here's one that I saved with that exact color kirinite. Don't think I could have found a closer match...

Before
Rachel1.jpg

After
Rachel2.jpg


Can't wait to see what you do with yours!

Glenn, that is a beautiful job. I hope I can do the same. How hard or easy was it to put the shield on the new handle material?

dlr110 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:57 pm

glennbad wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:53 pm Here's one that I saved with that exact color kirinite. Don't think I could have found a closer match...

Before
Rachel1.jpg

After
Rachel2.jpg


Can't wait to see what you do with yours!

Glenn, that is a beautiful job. I hope I can do the same. How hard or easy was it to put the shield on the new handle material?

Thanks, I'm sure you'll do a fine job! Shields done by freehand (no template) are more difficult for sure. They can be done, just takes more layout, constant checking and rechecking as you go.