All About Pocket Knives

Hey folks, I have a case 3185 yellow comp. is this considered celluloid? Handles have shrunk considerably but no rust anywhere. Gassy or not?
Jimbo

It looks like pre-Delrin “shrinky-dink”. Not celluloid but it will shrink, and your looks like an extreme example. I think they used this same basic material on the white (4 prefix) covers of the same time period as it also shrinks similarly.

Somewhat like celluloid though, it’s a mystery why some shrink more than others, and some don’t shrink at all. May have something to do with exposure to light and heat. I’ve not seen or heard of it out gassing though, like celluloid sometimes does. It just shrinks and in some cases cracks. Usually it pulls away from the bolsters. If it cracks the area around the pins is typically where you see the cracks.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 4:38 pm It looks like pre-Delrin “shrinky-dink”. Not celluloid but it will shrink, and your looks like an extreme example. I think they used this same basic material on the white (4 prefix) covers of the same time period as it also shrinks similarly.

Somewhat like celluloid though, it’s a mystery why some shrink more than others. May have something to do with exposure to light and heat. I’ve not seen or heard of it out gassing though, like celluloid sometimes does. It just shrinks and in some cases cracks. Usually it pulls away from the bolsters. If it cracks the area around the pins is typically where you see the cracks.

Ken

Thanks Ken, I wonder if Case would rehandle it under warranty?
Jimbo

They might. I’d submit a request and see what they say. On the request, I would send pictures and simply ask if the handles can be replaced. I wouldn’t request it to be done under warranty, at least not on the initial request.

I’ve always had good experience with Case repair service but never requested anything to be done for free. Sometimes they quote a price for repair. They’ve surprised me several times by responding that the repair will be done under warranty. And be sure you tell them the knife has sentimental value. You don’t want a new knife of similar value - they are a factory, not collectors, so their idea of “similar value” is not collector value, its user value. Also, assuming you want it, ask them to retain and re-pin your original shield, else you may get a knife repaired with current day Delrin covers, and a current glued (or melted on) shield.

If Case can’t or won’t fix it for you there are folks here that can.

JMO,
Ken

It outgasses similar to celluloid but the gas from this material isn't corrosive to steel. Does have a slight effect on brass though.

Eric

On a USA era knife no less, haven't seen that before. So this wouldn't be considered white comp?

1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 10:16 pm On a USA era knife no less, haven't seen that before. So this wouldn't be considered white comp?

Could be, but the OP said it’s a 3185 (the 3 being Case’s patter number designator for yellow synthetic). Actually IIRC old Case catalogs called it “cream” instead of yellow, but collectors call it yellow. At the time Case also had “white” covers - those had a 4 as the pattern number prefix. Not sure if it is the same material only having different colors, but both colors of the material seem to act similarly with age.

Ken

Thanks guys, I’ll send in my request to rehandle it tomorrow with pics. I’ll let you know how it works out.

Jimbo

Mumbleypeg wrote: ↑Sat Feb 04, 2023 12:28 am

1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 10:16 pm On a USA era knife no less, haven't seen that before. So this wouldn't be considered white comp?

Could be, but the OP said it’s a 3185 (the 3 being Case’s patter number designator for yellow synthetic). Actually IIRC old Case catalogs called it “cream” instead of yellow, but collectors call it yellow. At the time Case also had “white” covers - those had a 4 as the pattern number prefix. Not sure if it is the same material only having different colors, but both colors of the material seem to act similarly with age.

Ken

Thanks for the info, Ken.