Are These Celluloid Handles? Info On Storing?

[Vaporstang]

I have a couple of knives that I suspect are celluloid handles. The first one is a circa 1945-55 Hammer Brand that I am all but positive is. The second one is Schrade-Walded 218 circa 1946-73 that I am less sure of.

ALSO, any info on how store these would be appreciated. Maybe a link...

Thanks!

Hammer Brand


Schrade-Walden 218

 

[tongueriver]

Your knives are both celluloid. General consensus: Store them in good ventilation, away from other knives, away from light and heat and humidity. The particular colors which you are exhibiting are more prone to 'outgassing' than some. If this should happen, the'gas' is a weak nitric acid gas which will attack steel, brass, nickel silver, etc. Not quickly, but surely. At this point, the covers (handles) should be removed, the remainder of the knife washed in baking soda solution, then oiled or waxed for preservation. At this point, or before, they can be sold or re-handled. Just my opinion.

 

[Vaporstang]

Your knives are both celluloid. General consensus: Store them in good ventilation, away from other knives, away from light and heat and humidity. The particular colors which you are exhibiting are more prone to 'outgassing' than some. If this should happen, the'gas' is a weak nitric acid gas which will attack steel, brass, nickel silver, etc. Not quickly, but surely. At this point, the covers (handles) should be removed, the remainder of the knife washed in baking soda solution, then oiled or waxed for preservation. At this point, or before, they can be sold or re-handled. Just my opinion.

Thanks! That is what I was looking for. Not sure about removing the handles - I will have to research how to do that.

 

[afishhunter]

Thanks! That is what I was looking for. Not sure about removing the handles - I will have to research how to do that.

Glennbad can replace the covers. I don't know what his wait time is. He'll make them look better than new.

I'm not sure toungriver was clear. the "handle" in the case of your two knives is just the colored plastic.

 

[Vaporstang]

Thanks - I figured he meant the plastic. I'll look into the Hammer Brand but the Schrade's handles are its character and will have to think about that.

 

[jprime84]

The imperial/hammer brand is probably a sheet of celluloid over a thin metal covering. I've seen them shrunken and peeling. That one looks in good shape.

 

[knarfeng]

Here is a compendium of celluloid information for knife collectors. Recommended reading:
http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid_02.html

 

[Vaporstang]

The imperial/hammer brand is probably a sheet of celluloid over a thin metal covering. I've seen them shrunken and peeling. That one looks in good shape.

Thanks! Looking at this with a loupe this looks like the case. It looks like the plastic wraps around. (I'm sure someone familiar with these could tell at first glance.) So I don' know if that makes it easier or harder to replace. I got this very cheap off of eBay with the thought of hanging it on the wall with some older vintage tools: wood level, bit & brace, wood planer, etc. - now I might think about updating it.

 

[Vaporstang]

Here is a compendium of celluloid information for knife collectors. Recommended reading:
http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid_02.html

Thanks - I knew someone would come up with a good reference article!

 

[jprime84]

Thanks! Looking at this with a loupe this looks like the case. It looks like the plastic wraps around. (I'm sure someone familiar with these could tell at first glance.) So I don' know if that makes it easier or harder to replace. I got this very cheap off of eBay with the thought of hanging it on the wall with some older vintage tools: wood level, bit & brace, wood planer, etc. - now I might think about updating it.

It's very doable to update. I am pretty sure the design is a clam shell design where the whole side of the knife, bolsters and all, is attached to the liners with little fold around tabs visible at each end of the knife. You take those off and you just have the flat liner. I have made new handles for a few of these, and glennbad has done many of them.

 

[Vaporstang]

Thanks Jeff!

 

[hamsco]

The Schrade is a beauty. It deserves new covers.

 

[Vaporstang]

The Schrade is a beauty. It deserves new covers.

Thanks! Yeah, this thread has me seriously considering that. The Schrade was a display model, so the handles show some sun fading, but the knife itself is like new. (You can actually see where the bands holding it were on the handle.) I am guessing that being a display model it was somewhat ventilated and actually helped preserve it.