Why isn't Celluloid used in Today's Slippies?

P

pogo

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
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I have knives from the 50 -60,s that have beautiful Celluloid handles. Why isn't Celluloid used more today? I am sure I am missing something here.:eek:
 
Some German made slips still do, but it's not the same old celluloid of back then, it's more stable and doesn't degrade.

I see new German made Boker's with some really cool celluloid on Ebay alot.
 
Celluloid when it breaks down, does it badly. It also gives off fumes that rusts steel badly.

But probably the biggest reason is that celluloid is monsterously flamable. Too much risk for big companies, but it does see some use on smaller lines- Fighting Rooster, etc.....
 
The original celluloid was flammable and highly unstable. The new celluloid is not celluloid in the strict sense. The term seems to be applied to a wide variety of modern synthetic materials that exhibit the colors and patterns of old celluloid.

Here is an informative link for anyone interested in celluloid and other materials in the plastics family. http://www.plastiquarian.com/ click on people and polymers for a timeline and links to further information on the different materials.
 
I was in a knife shop a couple of months ago that had two large glass cases filled with Bulldog celluloid knives. SEVERAL of them had gassed and badly rusted the knives just above them, and the owner hadn't noticed. I pointed it out to him, and he was sick! Don't know if they got them cleaned up or not, but whatever kind of celluloid was used on first and second generation Bulldogs WILL give off corrosive gases and rust other knives around them. I got to looking at several more celluloid pieces that they had, and I would say about 75% of them had some shrinkage away from the bolsters, most at least would have taken two sheets of paper in the gap, some were much worse. Some of the very newest stuff out has some form of acrylic in the handles, which should be inert and do none of the shrinking/corroding bit. :eek:
 
Phil in Alabama said:
I was in a knife shop a couple of months ago that had two large glass cases filled with Bulldog celluloid knives. SEVERAL of them had gassed and badly rusted the knives just above them, and the owner hadn't noticed. I pointed it out to him, and he was sick! Don't know if they got them cleaned up or not, but whatever kind of celluloid was used on first and second generation Bulldogs WILL give off corrosive gases and rust other knives around them. I got to looking at several more celluloid pieces that they had, and I would say about 75% of them had some shrinkage away from the bolsters, most at least would have taken two sheets of paper in the gap, some were much worse. Some of the very newest stuff out has some form of acrylic in the handles, which should be inert and do none of the shrinking/corroding bit. :eek:
Click to expand...
Phil is exactly right on I have seen the same thing. P1123
 
I bought a Boker Barlow with the faux tortiose shell, 1095! It is a great knife, classic looking and with the patina setting in, it looks great. From my reseach, the Boker's are not true cellulliod - the old film plastic.

tjg
 
smiling-knife said:
The original celluloid was flammable and highly unstable. The new celluloid is not celluloid in the strict sense. The term seems to be applied to a wide variety of modern synthetic materials that exhibit the colors and patterns of old celluloid.

Here is an informative link for anyone interested in celluloid and other materials in the plastics family. http://www.plastiquarian.com/ click on people and polymers for a timeline and links to further information on the different materials.
Click to expand...

After reading that people and polymers section I would think that nobody even makes anything with celluloid anymore.

Does anyone think that a Bulldog brand knife made in 2005 would still be celluloid, or is it just a name but different material? I wish there was a way to find out for sure what is on my knife handle.
 
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