Storage of celluoid handled knives

[nifenut]

Does anyone know if storage at elevated temperatures (90-105 degress F) damages celluloid handles?

Dumb to do, I know...... now.

I just discovered what appears to be a change in the "interior" on a Bulldog handle. Some of the "suspended" flakes of colored material embedded in the clear celluloid seems to have changed for the worst.

[jonet143]

imo that's too warm. cool, dry and lots of air(not enclosed). and away from other knives!

[nifenut]

Thanks jonet143!

I moved them out of the heat.

Do you keep them in a knife roll or knifepack?

Nifenut

[jonet143]

i keep the few i have in the open, out of the sun light.

[coinshooter]

Went thru this a couple of years ago here. A lot of celluloids (and there are a lot of formulas for it) give off fumes - out gassing - as they age. If you have them boxed or plastic bagged, the fumes accumulate, and while not a health hazard, they can cause peppers on the some blades. Search under out gassing or gassing, some real heart breakers shown

[nifenut]

Thanks coinshooter. I'll check it out.
Guess I was lucky only one knife was affected.
Nifenut

[Pen & Toothpick]

I have a few old Celluloid knifes, where you can see that the celluloid has deteriorated and shrunk. I would think after a period of time most of the off gasing has already occured.

[jonet143]

rust never sleeps and out gassing celuloid keeps it awake!

[coinshooter]

One of things I have been doing with my knives is waxing the blades after giving them a wipe with alcohol to remove oil and grease and a light polish with a good metal polish. I've been using Renaissance brand wax which is supposed to seal out moisture and reduce finger print marks. It shines up nice too. Whether this would protect the metal against the effects of out gassing by celluloid is unknown.
Given the number of types and formulas for celluloid (some of the earliest versions had a tendancy to explode if hit hard enough - a scary thought since it was used for making billard balls) most modern celluloid probably doesn't out gas anymore. But no point in taking a chance with good knives, don't put them in any kind of sealed storage

[Hukk]

Modern Celluloid will outgas. I just had a 2005 waterfall outgas in 2007 that would be and I have seen another that I have in the shop.

This is the second Waterfall I've seen - same pattern and make. I'll fix it up, its on my list.

It was stored well, I bought it in 2005. Makes me think that HEAT generated by a Worn belt or a buffer at the factory may also be a contributing factor.

You will notice it is scratched up, it's from using it in the shop. This is a disassembly area and it needs to be cleaned up a bit.

Here is a couple pictures.

The first picture you can see a line of.............pitting Also discolored bolster and pins.

Second picture pins, shield, and lower bolster are tarnished. You can see the year, just click on the picture.

Third picture is the same as the first, blade is held open.

Last picture is the same as the second, just a different angle.

[nifenut]

Thanks to all for advice on celluloids and storage. I learned a lot and will take your collective advice.
Nifenut