2 new slipjoints

[bob b]

Hello all, Picked up two new slipjoints one is a 2 blade stag handled stockman
blade is stamped J Primble Belknap,Tang of master blade is stamped J Primble Belknap Germany, 2nd one is a small 2 blade Cracked ice celluloid stockman patern,Blades are tang stamped I * XL George wolstenholm sheffield england,Master blade is also stamped OIL THE JOINTS on the opp.side. Both Knives are in mint unsharpened condition.I think that the I * XL is an older piece but am not sure about the Primble. Any info would be helpful Thanks Bob B

 

[rev_jch]

Belknap had primbles made in Germany off and on for many years. The wostenholm stamped "oil the joints" is probably not as old as most of the wostenholm knives (I dont have any access ato any info at the moment). Be careful not to store the celluloid handled knife in a knife case (dispaly case), or some place without good ventilation, or closed in with other knives as this will cause the fumes from the celluloid to build up and rust the blades, or the blades of other knives stored with it.

One way to tell the age of a knife is to see how much the celluloid has shrunk. If the handles on the knife are original, the celluloid will shrink over time and eventually decompose (its just a fact). Handles that are new will fit the handles and bolsters well and will have no gaps (discoloration), etc. Now different celluloid colors, and celluloid manufactured by diffrent companies will decompose at different rates. The darker colors seem to last a little longer, while the lighter colors, "faux" pearls, etc. tend to decompose faster. This might be due to the fillers used in the celluloid manufacture process. Of course there are the "rare" examples of celluloid handles lasting for many years (20-30 plus) without shrinkling too badly. Most celluloid howeve, does shrink within a matter of years. Ive had some start to shrink in as little as 8 years, and seen others that are 20 years old that have not shrunk. And of course it can be volitile and easily will (can) catch fire, or explode.