All About Pocket Knives

What are the general opinions of cell handles? I see a few I would like but an afraid to buy them for fear of deterioration. At my age(75) they may survive me but I plan to leave the knives to my gr son and dont want them going to heck. is there a remedy or precautions I can take to preserve them? Thanks.

I just did some searches and guess Ive answered my question. Im not gonna get any of them.

I love celluloid handled pocket knives.
You do have to keep a close eye on them though.
I have had some outgas and was forced to have them remanded.
I also have a bunch that have not outgassed. Some of those are 100 years old or close to it.
You much be selective.

I avoid them. Luckily I don’t find them attractive so its easy.

Seems like they're all ticking time bombs, although I've read where lighter celluloid colors such as yellow or cracked ice (white) are more likely to outgas quicker than darker colors. I have no scientific evidence to back that up, just word of mouth.

The OP is looking for an heirloom and if you find the same pattern of knife in bone, horn, or stag then I'd go that route. I had all of my existing celluloid knives re-handled in those materials. Peace of mind I suppose.

Unlike eveled I find many celluloid handled knives to be extremely attractive and enjoy the variety of colors and patterns. Speaking for myself, I’ve never understood why a collector who finds them attractive would dismiss them out if hand. I keep an eye on them, check the handles for hints of discoloration, and examine the blades for signs of oxidation. I consider their potential to outgas a great reason to inspect them by handling and enjoying them. Like edge213 I have many 100-year old examples that are still going strong. If I lose a few I consider it a small price to pay for the pleasure of owning many fine examples.

Dennis

edge213 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 3:28 pm I love celluloid handled pocket knives.
You do have to keep a close eye on them though.
I have had some outgas and was forced to have them remanded.
I also have a bunch that have not outgassed. Some of those are 100 years old or close to it.
You much be selective.

I have a lot of celluloid handled pocket knives, dearly love them, and have had very good luck with them. To each their own.

deo-pa wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:35 pm Unlike eveled I find many celluloid handled knives to be extremely attractive and enjoy the variety of colors and patterns. Speaking for myself, I’ve never understood why a collector who finds them attractive would dismiss them out if hand. I keep an eye on them, check the handles for hints of discoloration, and examine the blades for signs of oxidation. I consider their potential to outgas a great reason to inspect them by handling and enjoying them. Like edge213 I have many 100-year old examples that are still going strong. If I lose a few I consider it a small price to pay for the pleasure of owning many fine examples.

Dennis

Well said!

Here are some of mine.

tongueriver wrote: ↑Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:43 pm Here are some of mine.
IMG_2726 (Large).JPGIMG_2728 (Large).JPGIMG_2730 (Large).JPGIMG_2732 (Large).JPGIMG_2734 (Large).JPGIMG_2736 (Large).JPGIMG_2739 (Large).JPGIMG_2741 (Large).JPGIMG_2742 (Large).JPG

I think the old pre 1940 celluloids are not only attractive but they are also a part of cutlery history that I can’t ignore. They represent some of the finest days of knife manufacture here in the UsA. The darker and more opaque celluloids tend to be more stable. I don’t have near as much trust in the imported celluloid handles used after 1970 and I believe they outgas at a much higher percentage.

If old celluloid handled knives have survived 70 plus years without any evidence of outgassing I think I can trust that they outlast me and then some.

btrwtr wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 12:57 am I think the old pre 1940 celluloids are not only attractive but they are also a part of cutlery history that I can’t ignore. They represent some of the finest days of knife manufacture here in the UsA. The darker and more opaque celluloids tend to be more stable. I don’t have near as much trust in the imported celluloid handles used after 1970 and I believe they outgas at a much higher percentage.

If old celluloid handled knives have survived 70 plus years without any evidence of outgassing I think I can trust that they outlast me and then some.

I agree. This Utica is more than 100 years old.

I love OLD celluloid knives. IF they are old and not shrunken I think they're relatively stable. The old Imperials (IKCO) and Colonials, KA BARs, Wards, Utica, Union, and L.F.& C. seem to have held up very well. I have a theory that if they're not wrapped up or kept together in a drawer or other confinement they are less likely to sublime, ('a.k.a.: "out-gas"). Many of mine have been displayed in the open for years and haven't shown any deterioration., while some in toolboxes have gone bad, rusting some around them. Just a theory but I'm watching them. I have a 1930's OLCUT in Christmas tree celluloid that is perfect. Good luck to all you celluloid collectors. J.O'.

btrwtr wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 12:57 am I think the old pre 1940 celluloids are not only attractive but they are also a part of cutlery history that I can’t ignore. They represent some of the finest days of knife manufacture here in the UsA. The darker and more opaque celluloids tend to be more stable. I don’t have near as much trust in the imported celluloid handles used after 1970 and I believe they outgas at a much higher percentage.

If old celluloid handled knives have survived 70 plus years without any evidence of outgassing I think I can trust that they outlast me and then some.

Thanks for this response, Wayne.
I should have clarified in my prior post that all of my celluloid knives were Solingen made Fight'n Rooster and Buck Creek from the 1970s-80's. I love them, but didn't trust them.

I will admit though that I've considered taking a chance on an End of Day rooster.... just need to stash it on an island far, far away from my others.

The below post are just some of my "Celluloid" knives that I posted within aapk back in April 2018. I still have my Roosters on display, all remain healthy. Keep them clean and segregated.
The new "Case Corelon" 2021 Vault Copperheads come close to the older celluloid colors, however, Case Corelon's fall short of vibrant German imagination.
Celluloid handled knives are part of our knife history, don't let them scare you.

As I stated in the below listing:

"Collectors know when to take action. One should not be afraid to enjoy celluloid handled knives."

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=56649&p=640173&hil ... er#p640173

Dan.

Well then OK. Im just gonna get a couple! gotta say, some are beauties and some put the UG in ugly.

If I like the knife, I don't let celluloid deter me from buying it. Assuming the price is right. I have a strict limit on what I'm willing to gamble on celluloid. I keep the celluloids segregated from other knives so just in case one "goes off" (it has happened) I can catch it before it harms its non-celluloid cousins. And I'm not out too much money.

Ken

Here are some Uticas, Wards (KA BAR), Imperials. That type of celliloid just seems to hold up. Those knives are 70-90 years old. Very minimal shrinkage.
J.O'.

Whoops! Forgot the pics! Duh! J.O'.

Very festive! I like!

I don't know why some are so terrified of celluloid. I have quite a few, some I bought that were outgassing and the scales came off asap and get replaced. Some are old but have been no problem. I have only bought one that outgassed after I bought it, a Remington stockman. I had it in "isolation", that is in a tight zipper bag and no harm was done.

How about some Green Utica Celluloid
Each are a little different

rustyoldknife wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 11:53 pm How about some Green Utica Celluloid
Each are a little different

Wow dude, those are beautiful!

OLDE CUTLER wrote: ↑Wed Feb 23, 2022 10:06 pm I don't know why some are so terrified of celluloid. I have quite a few, some I bought that were outgassing and the scales came off asap and get replaced. Some are old but have been no problem. I have only bought one that outgassed after I bought it, a Remington stockman. I had it in "isolation", that is in a tight zipper bag and no harm was done.

Keeping it in a tight Zipper bag may have contributed to its demize. The few I've had go bad were also confined. Since then I've kept mine sitting on a shelf in open air but nowhere near other knives (and spaced apart from other celluloids). Haven't had any problems now in several years.

Ken

How about some Green Utica Celluloid

That is a wonderful group! I have a few of those marbled-pattern ones in green and I find them to be among the most attractive of the celluloids, though I think I’m still partial to Christmas tree handles.

Dennis