is celluloid just fancy plastic?

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Mar 7, 2002
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I just can't get attached to these puuurty handles. They look good in some patterns but I just can't seem to be drawn to buy one. I've noticed that some celluloid knives (old and new) sell for more than stag and bone handles even in the same pattern and blade style. Somebody help me under stand. What am I missing? What is celluloid? Those who like them please share your thoughts.



Thanks Dean
 
From Britannica Concise -

"Name for the first synthetic plastic material, developed in 1869. Made of a colloid of cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose) plasticized with camphor, it is tough, cheap to produce, and resistant to water, oils, and dilute acids. It found a great variety of uses in combs, films, toys, and many other mass-produced consumer goods. Though it has been replaced in many uses by nonflammable synthetic polymers (originally cellulose acetate and Bakelite, then a host of others), it is still manufactured and used."

I'm not sure why it's more expensive :confused:
 
There probably a bit more expensive because almost all companies won't use/mfc. it do to it's flammable nature. Some factories had specially built storage house's for because of this.

I have not noticed premiums for it.

:D:).
 
I have a aquaintance that collects celluloid handled slipjoints. That is his favorite material because of all the different color combinations you can get. Some of them are rather attractive and others are just plain gaudy.

For the most part celluloid doesn't turn my crank, but it can look nice sometimes.
 
In the world of electric guitars Celuloid has been used as a cheap replacement for tortoise shell and MOP in pick-guards and fret markers. Don't know where I first heard it, but the name I use for this material is "Mother of Toilet Seat".
 
Get rid of this Kamatara troll. It's contributions are not appreciated at all.
Thank you, Mongo
 
What Mongo said......


I don't believe kamatara is even old enough to handle a knife:mad: :barf:
 
Sorry, gents, I've removed his posts.
 
Back to celluloid :)
157409-tpk.jpg

I just got this from SMKW.
Carbon steel and celluloid. Nice walk n talk (a little 'new' grit, I'm workin on it) Excellent fit and finish.
And only 2 years late ;)
 
THANKS Blues;) you da'man....

Now back to celluloid...

Ebbtide, does it carry well. What I mean is does it scratch easily or discolor bad over time. Buy the way that's a good looking knife.
I hate to say it but I can never remember handling a celluloid knife. I've handled cheap plastic,zytel,derlin,Ti,alum natural materials but not celluliod. Man I need to get out more. Thanks for the pic

Dean
 
You're welcome.

I have one of the celluloid handled stockman knives made by Camillus with 1095 steel. It has the look and feel of the old time knives. It's one of my favorite slipjoints.

One of the things that detracts from some celluloid handled knives is that over a period of time the handles can decompose and during that process cause oxidation to the blades. In fact, if stored near or with other knives, the oxidation can spread to those knives as well.

That being said, Will Fennell told me that the celluloid Camillus manufactured these knives with is resistant to this problem. I've had mine a couple of years without any noticeable effect on the knife or its neighbors.

Pix of the celluloid handled Camillus offerings can be seen on A.G. Russell's website.
 
Blues hit the downside of celluloid right on. It off gases an acidic gas that in enclosed spaces can be harmful to any metal in there.
 
in enclosed spaces can be harmful to any metal in there.

That doesn't sound too good for the knife blade :eek:
Seriously, I have a celluloid Imperial that looked old when it was on my Dad's workbench in the 60's...
It has wear and tear, but it isn't like it was fragile...
I have a pic of it at work that I'll try to get up here.

Oh, and thanx for the warning about the fumes, learn something new every day :)
 
I find the celluloid with the worst decompostion problems tend to be the lighter color patterns(clear, cracked ice, yellows,etc...). I had a few of the newer Buck Creek knives that began to have the scale's pull away from the bolsters:(. Darker colors tend to do better.

Excellent advice on keeping them in un-enclosed spaces:). I also try to keep them out of the sun, heat;), and away from excess oil.

As Blues stated, SOME of the new celluloid has been tweaked to get rid of the bad stuff, while keeping it's good looks.

:D:).
 
I don't know if this applies to celluloid usd in knives; I know it is used in some pens (usually expensive) and it has to be cured or aged for quite a while before use. This adds to the cost. Maybe (?) the handles that are decomposing weren't cured enough before use?


Anthony Lasome
 
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