What causes cracks around the pins?

[colubrid]

I know this is probably a base question but I am fairy new here and my interests on traditional is increasing immensely. So I found this old queen knife I had owned that was stored since 1994 at my moms house. It was new when I last saw it. But when I found it all 6 pins have cracks now. I know it is probably just drying out that caused it. But my question is would these cracks have appeared on a vintage knife that was used, pocketed and carried be preserved better?

So a vintage knife with cracks means it likely sat in a drawer untouched for extended persios of time and one with no cracks means it was handled or was stored with oil on the grips?

If so. Which oil is good for storing grips? Mineral oil? What is good for synthetic grips to keep them from shrinking over time?

 

[Shurke]

What's the handle material?

Some vintage plastics--celluloid, for example--are notorious for shrinking, cracking and deteriorating. (Not to mention off-gassing corrosive fumes that will ruin knives). But I would imagine that any synthetics Queen was using in 1994 would be pretty stable.

It's also possible that some woods, if not dried and fully cured, could undergo serious shrinkage.

Handling vs storing the knife shouldn't be a factor here. Most handle cracks that I've encountered are the result of use. Someone pulls a knife out of a pocket, fumbles and drops it on the ground or something like that.

 

[3-1-1]

Hard to say what caused without a traumatic event like a drop. These knives are largely held together by tension. Some are under more pressure / tension than others, depending on the strength of the spring, and how much load they are put under (how far they are bent to provide the "pull"). Over long periods of time that can sometimes just get the better of one or more of the materials used to construct.

 

[colubrid]

What's the handle material?

Some vintage plastics--celluloid, for example--are notorious for shrinking, cracking and deteriorating. (Not to mention off-gassing corrosive fumes that will ruin knives). But I would imagine that any synthetics Queen was using in 1994 would be pretty stable.

It's also possible that some woods, if not dried and fully cured, could undergo serious shrinkage.

Handling vs storing the knife shouldn't be a factor here. Most handle cracks that I've encountered are the result of use. Someone pulls a knife out of a pocket, fumbles and drops it on the ground or something like that.

That knife was probably celluloid. It is yellow.It was never dropped. It was stored back in '94 and I pulled it out recently and all pins have cracks.

But I have seen lots of vintage knives with all sorts of handle material that have cracks near the pins. Just wondering if there was something one can do with grips. You also see old car dashboards crack unless you put Amorall on it. So was just wondering if oils or just handling a knife (rather than storing it) preserves grips longer.

 

[Will Power]

Horn can show cracking due to dry atmosphere, if all the pins have cracked it's very unusual.
Bone shows stress fractures that are not noticeable at first but within weeks or months they become visible, it is usually the centre pin that displays this and I think is a result of damage at the time the handle was put on. Delrin too can present centre pin stress fractures,splitting.

I'd say that prolonged storage in dry conditions can cause cracks, using the knife actually moistens it from hand contact so providing there is no early manufacturing pin damage or you drop the knife, using is a good preventative.

 

[glennbad]

I have quite a few 70's-80's Queen pocketknives, and nearly without exception, they all have pin cracks. Mostly at the center pin that the spring rides on. I'm not sure if it is undue stress from the pin, poor placement of pin too close to edge of material, or inferior cover materials.

As others mentioned, pin cracks in older knives can be from cover material shrinkage. Even if a knife does not have celluloid covers, if it is a synthetic material, it can develop shrinkage. I haven't found a magic solution yet that will slow/stop any of these materials from shrinkage. Mineral oil may be a good choice to try, but it also may stain certain materials. A lot of people use Ren wax, but that is made more for protecting something that isn't going to be used, and I also don't think it would do anything to stop shrinkage.

As Will said, handling and using a knife will transfer oils from your fingers to the knife, and "moisturize" it some.

Keep an eye on that knife, as if it does have Cell covers, and they have started to deteriorate, they will likely continue to do so, and can cause damage to other nearby knives. Any knives that are thought to have Celluloid covers should be kept away from other knives, and typically you would let them breathe in a non-direct light environment that is cool and dry.

If you share a pic of the knife, we may be able to diagnose the issue better.

 

[afishhunter]

If the covers are celluloid, and they have started to outgas, you will see corrosion on the blades above the covers, as well as on the back spring(s), bolsters, pins, and shield.
As for the blade corrosion caused by outgassing: Most of the corrosion will be above the covers/liners. It will probably follow the contour of the handle. There might be a little corrosion on the portion of the blade that sits in the well, but it will be minor compared to what sits above the handle.

Also, outgassing covers shrink. Are there any gaps between the covers and the bolsters?

Yes. Outgassing affects brass and nickel silver, not just steel.

As others have said, pictures will help.