All About Pocket Knives

Saw this knife on eBay and I knew I had to have it because of
the markings. I have always stayed away from celluloid because I
know the dangers and trickery of that darn celluloid.

I cleaned it up the best I could. The bolsters were at least 50%
discolored and the blades were just so so in being destroyed.
I put some oil on the blades and Ren Wax on the handles.

I plan to keep it out in the open away from all the other knives.

Any body else purchase a celluloid even though there are dangers?

It was a give-a-way promotion made by Novelty Knife Co. in
Canton, OH. I think it was made near 1920?
Anyone with further info let me know!

Bob

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I have a bunch of them. Never counted but I’d guess at least 30-40, all old pre-1970 vintage. The only problem I’ve ever encountered was years ago, before I knew better I put some celluloid knives in an old glass front Schrade wall-mount display. Hung it on the wall in my office where it remained until one day I noticed the deterioration. They were all starting outgassing. At the time all I knew was they were all damaged.

Since then I’ve learned a lot. Celluloid is uniquely beautiful, but unfortunately uniquely mysterious. I don’t necessarily avoid knives with celluloid covers but I have a self-imposed limit on how much I’m willing to spend for one regardless how much I like it. Keep them separated and quarantined. If one “goes off” it doesn’t harm the others, and my out of pocket loss is limited. However since I’ve learned to keep them separate and un-confined I haven’t lost any more.

Ken

Cool looking knife, some history there.

Like Ken, I have a couple dozen celluloid knives, and I keep them isolated. Most of mine are Fight'N Rooster, Bulldog and Queen Winchesters. A Candy Stripe Winchester Toothpick has completely self-destructed even though I kept it with blade open and in my living room. A Waterfall and Tortoise Shell are close behind. But the Winchester celluloid I posted today has no signs of outgassing.

All I can say is, do what you can and hope for the best. But definitely keep them separated.

The op knife is definitely showing signs of gassing.The dark spots and crackling in the handles.

rea1eye wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:52 pm Any body else purchase a celluloid even though there are dangers?
Bob

I have a few celluloid knives. I am like Ken in that I do not spend much on a knife that I think is celluloid. But I can be tempted if I see something that appeals to me like your knife did to you. I have a celluloid Winchester that basically has every thing I want in a knife: whittler, wharncliffe body and blade, made in USA.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 6:21 pm But the Winchester celluloid I posted today has no signs of outgassing.

Here is my Winchester. I had a strong impulse to post it today for Wharncliffe Wednesday, because it may not last until next week! I knew it was starting to gas when I got it, but now it kind of hurts to look at at that USA stamp.

Mel is that Winchester a Black Box Knife? Harold

stockman wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:31 pm Mel is that Winchester a Black Box Knife? Harold

Yes, my knife does have a black box. Does that have some significance?

It tells that it is a newer knife, they seem to be a problem.

Harold

Dinadan wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:41 pm

1967redrider wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 6:21 pm But the Winchester celluloid I posted today has no signs of outgassing.

Here is my Winchester. I had a strong impulse to post it today for Wharncliffe Wednesday, because it may not last until next week! I knew it was starting to gas when I got it, but now it kind of hurts to look at at that USA stamp.
Winchester11.jpg

Which celluloid is that? How long did it go from no gassing to destruction? Thanks!

Dinadan wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 2:53 am

stockman wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 11:31 pm Mel is that Winchester a Black Box Knife? Harold

Yes, my knife does have a black box. Does that have some significance?

The so-called “black box” Winchesters are authorized “reproductions” produced by Blue Grass Cutlery, under license of the Olin Corporation. Olin owns the rights to the Winchester trademark. It is significant here because it means the knife is a “modern” reproduction and not an old original Winchester knife. (I’ve put “reproduction” in quotes because there may not have ever been an original Winchester like that pattern. The Winchester stamp may be the only thing reproduced).

Ken

peanut740 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 9:34 pm The op knife is definitely showing signs of gassing.The dark spots and crackling in the handles.

Thats what I thought too. The scales have shrunk away from the bolsters and there is a line of black stuff in there now. I would get those covers off soon. You might be horrified when you remove them by what you find underneath.

The modern celluloid is very unstable in my opinion. Much more than the older stuff. Harold

rea1eye wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:52 pm Anyone with further info let me know!
Bob

Bob - I apologize for sidetracking your thread with my knife.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:41 pm Which celluloid is that? How long did it go from no gassing to destruction? Thanks!

RR - As for as the type of celluloid, the box says Tortise Celluloid. I am guessing that Tortise refers to the appearance, not to the formula. I got my Winchester in 2021 and it was already beginning to outgas. It was cheap and I did not have one like it, so I sprung for $30. Below is a photo of the knife when I got it in 2021, four years ago. I considered pulling the handles, but I was certain that I would never have it rehandled, so I just let it be. You mentioned that these knives were made by Queen: do you have any info about that?

Below is a photo from 2021 when I first got my knife.

Dinadan wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 10:37 pm

rea1eye wrote: ↑Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:52 pm Anyone with further info let me know!
Bob

Bob - I apologize for sidetracking your thread with my knife.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 12:41 pm Which celluloid is that? How long did it go from no gassing to destruction? Thanks!

RR - As for as the type of celluloid, the box says Tortise Celluloid. I am guessing that Tortise refers to the appearance, not to the formula. I got my Winchester in 2021 and it was already beginning to outgas. It was cheap and I did not have one like it, so I sprung for $30. Below is a photo of the knife when I got it in 2021, four years ago. I considered pulling the handles, but I was certain that I would never have it rehandled, so I just let it be. You mentioned that these knives were made by Queen: do you have any info about that?

Below is a photo from 2021 when I first got my knife.
Winchester12.jpg

Yep, I have not had good luck with Tortoise celluloid. The COA says Blue Grass Cutlery, but there is speculation that Blue Grass contracted with Queen. Lots of info here- https://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kn ... mit=Search

Hope this helps.

Mel and others,

I have no problem with the way this post is going. My intent was to have
a discussion on what celluloids you have. It is interesting to see
the rapid progression to destruction on Mel’s knife.

Bob