The Horror of Celluloid

[eisman]

If you've been collection traditional patterns for any time, and especially if you're into "old" knives (no always the same thing) then you have heard of celluloid scales and the damage they can do. I just picked up another small group of knives with this included.

Now my initial impression was to just toss it out, but I dislike throwing knives away, and my curiosity was aroused by the question of who made this thing. So, I added it to the pile of stuff to clean and oil, and devoted a little time to clearing up the mystery.

The picture shows the overall shape of the knife to have been in fairly good condition. It was never used much. But it was so rusted that the two smaller blades required assistance to open and where they are in the photo is as far as I could get them to start. Likewise there was no indication of a maker visible at all.

Ultrasonic cleaning, a brass brush, and some rubbing compound got me to this:

One thing I want to emphasize is that the scales are still out-gassing. In fact, the smell is quite strong, and so this knife will be stashed outside for a while. I can't remember another knife that was this vividly decomposing.

The most interesting thing about this is it has a blade I've only run across once before:

When it was closed I expected to pull a punch out, but instead got this. Does anyone know the name for this blade?

Cleaning finally brought the manufacturer to light, and it's sad. This is a knife I'd have been happy to have were it not for the damage done by a poor choice of materials in the manufacture.

So, if anyone wants this old Robison, let me know. I'll be happy to mail it to you. If not, it's going to the landfill.

 

[Prester John]

If you've been collection traditional patterns for any time, and especially if you're into "old" knives (no always the same thing) then you have heard of celluloid scales and the damage they can do. I just picked up another small group of knives with this included.

Now my initial impression was to just toss it out, but I dislike throwing knives away, and my curiosity was aroused by the question of who made this thing. So, I added it to the pile of stuff to clean and oil, and devoted a little time to clearing up the mystery.

The picture shows the overall shape of the knife to have been in fairly good condition. It was never used much. But it was so rusted that the two smaller blades required assistance to open and where they are in the photo is as far as I could get them to start. Likewise there was no indication of a maker visible at all.

Ultrasonic cleaning, a brass brush, and some rubbing compound got me to this:

One thing I want to emphasize is that the scales are still out-gassing. In fact, the smell is quite strong, and so this knife will be stashed outside for a while. I can't remember another knife that was this vividly decomposing.

The most interesting thing about this is it has a blade I've only run across once before:

When it was closed I expected to pull a punch out, but instead got this. Does anyone know the name for this blade?

Cleaning finally brought the manufacturer to light, and it's sad. This is a knife I'd have been happy to have were it not for the damage done by a poor choice of materials in the manufacture.

So, if anyone wants this old Robison, let me know. I'll be happy to mail it to you. If not, it's going to the landfill.

Looks like a tanto blade, but I'm not an expert.

 

[eisman]

Not a tanto. It's only sharp on the "tip". What I really don't understand is why it's not chisel ground. To me that would make it much more practical.

 

[Prester John]

Not a tanto. It's only sharp on the "tip". What I really don't understand is why it's not chisel ground. To me that would make it much more practical.

New to me too. But someone's got to know!

 

[afishhunter]

Robeson was one of the better brands, too.
They all used that daRn celluloid. I guess they didn't know about the outgassing back then.

I'd hate to see it go to a landfill. Unfortunately, I lack the skills and work space to save her.

 

[r8shell]

My first guess would be that that blade was reshaped by someone, either because they broke off the tip, or for some specific task. (maybe for scraping in tight spaces?) I could be wrong, though.

 

[Lapedog]

If you've been collection traditional patterns for any time, and especially if you're into "old" knives (no always the same thing) then you have heard of celluloid scales and the damage they can do. I just picked up another small group of knives with this included.

Now my initial impression was to just toss it out, but I dislike throwing knives away, and my curiosity was aroused by the question of who made this thing. So, I added it to the pile of stuff to clean and oil, and devoted a little time to clearing up the mystery.

The picture shows the overall shape of the knife to have been in fairly good condition. It was never used much. But it was so rusted that the two smaller blades required assistance to open and where they are in the photo is as far as I could get them to start. Likewise there was no indication of a maker visible at all.

Ultrasonic cleaning, a brass brush, and some rubbing compound got me to this:

One thing I want to emphasize is that the scales are still out-gassing. In fact, the smell is quite strong, and so this knife will be stashed outside for a while. I can't remember another knife that was this vividly decomposing.

The most interesting thing about this is it has a blade I've only run across once before:

When it was closed I expected to pull a punch out, but instead got this. Does anyone know the name for this blade?

Cleaning finally brought the manufacturer to light, and it's sad. This is a knife I'd have been happy to have were it not for the damage done by a poor choice of materials in the manufacture.

So, if anyone wants this old Robison, let me know. I'll be happy to mail it to you. If not, it's going to the landfill.

Is it possible that weird tanto-y blade that is just someone trying to sharpen the knife that wore a bunch of blade away?

 

[Will Power]

Such a tragedy that Cell is so unstable, and yet some seems to go for decades with no harm then suddenly... It can be such beautiful material with attractive depth and complexity-acrylic can't touch it-but it's certainly the Russian Roulette of the knife collection

 

[Getting older]

I will give it a good home,looks to be somewhat salvageable, could be fair whittle in my eyes

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

My first guess would be that that blade was reshaped by someone, either because they broke off the tip, or for some specific task. (maybe for scraping in tight spaces?) I could be wrong, though.

That's what it looks like to me also, like a broken blade with an improvised 'fix'. The convex(ish) bevel on it looks re-ground freehand after the fact.

 

[Pinemoon]

An interesting read on celluloid here. Some chemicals will dissolve it quickly.
https://www.bladeforums.com/resources/the-care-and-feeding-of-celluloid.8/
I have one celluloid knife, a bulldog from 1995. No problems yet...

 

[glennbad]

Based on the location, I'd say it started out as a spey blade. It's a shame that cell can do that to a knife.

 

[eisman]

Is it possible that weird tanto-y blade that is just someone trying to sharpen the knife that wore a bunch of blade away?

Now that was my first thought. But look at the pics; it's not been reshaped. That's the factory shape, and it's unusual. I looked closer when I saw how little use the rest of the knife showed. The grinds are clear and square and finished to match the other blades.

 

[knarfeng]

An interesting read on celluloid here. Some chemicals will dissolve it quickly.
https://www.bladeforums.com/resources/the-care-and-feeding-of-celluloid.8/
I have one celluloid knife, a bulldog from 1995. No problems yet...

R renfrod
That link seems to be broken.
Here's an article from the Oregon Knife Collectors Association. It was originally in one of their news letters and was later reprinted in Knife World.

Celluloid - A Firm Maybe - OKCA

www.oregonknifecollectors.com

 

[knarfeng]

Think I fixed the Ted's link.
I think the article he originally linked to can now be found here:

CELLULOID OBJECTS: THEIR CHEMISTRY AND PRESERVATION​

JULIE A. REILLY​

JAIC 1991, Volume 30, Number 2, Article 3 (pp. 145 to 162)

 

[Campbellclanman]

I see a Harness Jack for sale- the knife itself is not bad, the punch a little short- but all in all nice- but Oh boy the Celluloid is really going off in the knife - I would usually have purchased the knife- but I am not touching it with a barge pole!

 

[r8shell]

I see a Harness Jack for sale- the knife itself is not bad, the punch a little short- but all in all nice- but Oh boy the Celluloid is really going off in the knife - I would usually have purchased the knife- but I am not touching it with a barge pole!

If it's inexpensive enough, might be a good candidate for a re-cover job.

 

[Campbellclanman]

I thought about that R8shell, but the reason I want it is to have it as original, and have many knives for EDC so I am on the same thought as you that someone will buy it and do just that- I hope!!