Opinions on this older Case folder

B

Bennyg111

Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Messages
175
I just acquired this older case folder stamped Case tested xx. The stamp dates it at 1920-1940. After looking through American Premium Guide to Knives & Razors I found out this is a R2096 or a small 2 blade toothpick and the handle is called Christmas Tree celluloid. I have a friend telling me there is little value left because he feels the handle is outgassing. I am not to concerned with the value. I am more concerned if he is correct about the outgassing. If we have any Case experts maybe you can give me your good bad and ugly on this.
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I really cannot tell from the photos whether it is likely outgassing. Do you seen any cracks or faded out areas in the handles?
 
There is no cracks or shrinkage I can see. I was told that my friend feels it is outgassing because of the discoloration to the blade.
 
That might be patina- oxidation not caused by celluloid breakdown. Sometimes celluloid breaks down and sometimes it doesn't (or maybe it always does but sometimes you die first).
 
From what little I've seen of blade damage caused by celluloid gassing, those blades have a normal patina from use. The damage from outgassing would include pitting, and the bolsters would also show damage.
 
I would like to thank you all. I was pretty sure that was just normal patina from age and use. To be expected for a knife of this age. I am starting to think my friend was using the outgassing as a plow to get me to sell cheap. It was a nice try but I kind of like the fact I have never seen one of these before.
 
Hi Benny, that is a nice old Case and looks to be in good shape for it's age. From everything I have read about the old celluloid handles, it is not am matter of "if" but "when" they will outgass. Store it in a cool dark place away from your other knives to be sure that they aren't effected from outgassing.

Now, if it was mine, the celluloid would be removed immediately and replaced with wood or bone. Not everyone will agree with me but that is how I feel about old celluloid or MOT Mother of Toiletseat in the pearl colored handles.

Nice snag.
 
Colorful little fella. I'd stick it in my pocket and use til the handles gave out or the blade wore out. But that's just me.
 
I have owned some similar celluloid handled knives for over 40 years in my collection with no signs of outgassing. Given that these knives were already at least 40 years old when I got them, that is a pretty good track record. I think that if they are stored properly (no exposure to moisture or to extreme temperature variations) they will be ok.

OTOH, if they exhibit the beginnings of outgassing when you get them, there is a high probability that they will gradually continue to outgas, even with proper storage.
 
You guys have been a lot of help so what I am hearing is I did good for only paying $5 lol also I was thinking of picking up some stay Brite it's a brass polish I used in the army. I was thinking of cleaning the blade this would do it without scratching anything. Opinions?
 
Bennyg111 said:
You guys have been a lot of help so what I am hearing is I did good for only paying $5 lol also I was thinking of picking up some stay Brite it's a brass polish I used in the army. I was thinking of cleaning the blade this would do it without scratching anything. Opinions?
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That's a cool looking knife you have there. It has character and I would just leave it the way it is. That;s just me though.
 
Ya I'll probably just leave it. I call little guys like this my $5 scratch ticket. If someone walks into my military surplus store and wants me to buy an old knife my rule is $5 because that's all I'm willing to gamble and plus worse case scenario I can usually resell it for $5. Obviously I knew this scratch ticket was an instant winner lol
 
I would not polish the blades. As noted above, the patina is a slow oxidation process that does protect the blades from rust. I have a Camillus celluloid that has just started a little out gassing. The first evidence is the effect on the nickle silver. It has had no shrinkage.

Enjoy it. It's a beauty and a great deal. Congratulations.

Bennyg111 said:
You guys have been a lot of help so what I am hearing is I did good for only paying $5 lol also I was thinking of picking up some stay Brite it's a brass polish I used in the army. I was thinking of cleaning the blade this would do it without scratching anything. Opinions?
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That's a $55.00 knife if I ever saw one. That is a great "collector's knife" as well as an excellent EDC piece. Hardware like that is hard to come by, and even harder to hang onto.

Captain O
 
I like it! Never seen one like it and it does remind me of an old time Christmas straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. You could carry that and pretty much have a one of a kind that has a little something that a custom costing much more could never duplicate.
 
jec88 said:
I like it! Never seen one like it and it does remind me of an old time Christmas straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. You could carry that and pretty much have a one of a kind that has a little something that a custom costing much more could never duplicate.
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Amen!

Captain O
 
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