Delrin Knife Handles

[CG0630]

I recently got a little black jack knife from case specifically liking the smooth grip it had, but give it 3 days and that feel is gone almost completely and mostly rough. The website just says it’s synthetic but I think it’s that Delrin in the handle they use, any ideas why it’s going out? Is there anyway I can clean it and add some kind of finish to get that feel back? It was sitting in a knife display for a few years. Thanks

 

[Railsplitter]

Micro Mesh would give it a glass-like shine if you have the patience for it.

Or maybe try a mildly abrasive rubbing compound from an auto parts or hardware store followed by a good wax.

 

[CG0630]

Both sound like a good idea thanks, just didn’t want to scuff up any color so I wanted an opinion before I tried anything theres already a lot of scratches, appreciate it

 

[Dadpool]

Can you share a picture showing the scales and another showing the tang stamp? (You'll need to host it somewhere like Imgur or ImgBB, and make sure the URL you use here ends in an image file extension like .jpg.)

I have a Case Peanut with yellow Delrin scales I got in 2016 that's as smooth and pleasing now as the day I bought it. Becoming rougher over time sounds unusual.

 

[SharpBits]

Delrin tends to be fairly forgiving, so I'm surprised at the quick deterioration of yours. Maybe it is acrylic and not delrin?

 

[knarfeng]

The only "Delrin" handle I've ever had change was on a Camillus-made Buck. It required 30 years to change, and I can't swear it was Delrin to begin with. None of my other Delrin handles have ever shown any changes, no matter how long I've had them.

IIRC, Case does not exclusively use Delrin for its synthetic handles.

 

[jmh33]

John

 

[John A. Larsen]

I have a Schrade Uncle Henry 885U that I bought in 1970, and as far as I can determine the Delrin slabs have not changed since then. John

 

[ShaiHulud]

I really like delrin as a handle material. Holds up well over time