I think I made a rookie mistake. What to do.

R

robertj298

Joined
Mar 7, 2014
Messages
244
I received this knife in the mail today and really like it. Guess I
didn't realize until afterward that celluloid isn't the greatest material
for a knife's scales. It's a 1995 Winchester wharncliff whittler.
What should I do with it?
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Nice looking knife. Just store it away from other knives so in case the celluloid starts out-gassing, you'll limit the damage to just the one. Another option would be to have a pro re-handle the knife for you.
 
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It doesn't appear to be out-gassing, so I wouldn't worry too much, if you intend it to be a user. Don't store it with other knives, if it will be a safe-queen.
 
This knife has been made at least 20 years ago. Should outgazing be a problem, it would have shown... I don't see where's the trouble...
 
This isn’t a mistake - simply another pathway being explored in the World of collecting Knives.
I at times buy Celluloid Knives because I just couldn’t go past them- not good for your other knives so keep your Cells contained totally seperate from your other knives. :thumbsup:
As far as mistakes go - I have made some Horrendous ones out of pure over enthusiasm and not looking at the signs. :( :confused: :rolleyes:
 
Here is a link to an article about celluloid. It is from the OKCA website.

http://www.oregonknifeclub.org/celluloid_02.html

Your knife looks like it has waterfall celluloid, still in good condition. Celluloid can be very beautiful. Some shy away from it and some collect it. As has been said, keep it away from your other knives, and keep an eye on it.
 
Don’t worry too much about the celluloid gassing. It’s a possibility, and can happen without much warning, but it’s not a guarantee. Just keep an eye on it in case it does happen you can catch it early.

Some newer knives have a really bad reputation for gassing, like some 1980’s German knives. Celluloid is a very pretty handle material and I think that’s worth the small risk that is associated with collecting it.
 
Jolipapa said:
This knife has been made at least 20 years ago. Should outgazing be a problem, it would have shown...
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. Some have gone 100 plus years, before starting to outgas, others weeks. Age is no "guarantee" that it won't eventually outgas. Chances are celluloid will eventually outgas. Some lots/runs just take longer than others. Some colors are more apt to outgas, as well.

R robertj298 store it apart from your other knives, "just in case".
Once they start to outgas, there is no cure. Best you can do if it ever starts, is to pop the covers off, and dispose of them, preserving the knife.
In that case, you can have someone like glennbad glennbad put a new set of covers on, or if you're handi, fit a pair of covers, and glue/epoxy them on yourself. (using glue/epoxy only you don't have to take the knife apart, like you will if you use cover pins.)

Good looking knife. Are you sure the covers are celluloid, and not a acrylic? If acrylic, they'll never outgas, or give you grief.
 
Maybe someone like @waynorth could weigh in with his opinion on the handle material... I'd drop that bad boy in my pocket and use it. It's too nice to have in a safe, and if it's with you all the time it'll never ruin your other knives.:p Congratulations on a great find.:thumbsup:
 
That does look like a waterfall cell, nice knife!

I think most "recent" cell is okay, other than the German knives in the 80's. Fightin' Rooster from that era comes to mind. I don't seem to recall any issues with Winchester, but keep an eye on that one. Unless it's a trick of the light, the edges of that shield look a little dis-colored.

I have several celluloid knives. I enjoy them. The colors are too nice and unique to not collect them, but I do try to take precautions to keep them away from others, just in case.
 
That is a nice looking knife . It is easy to see why you got it . I would very probably do what jc57 jc57 said and keep an eye on it . If it it ever self destructs then get it re-handled . That is a pattern that I like .

Harry
 
If the blades are stainless it's a big plus. Outgassing celluloid has far less effect on stainless steel than it does on carbon steel, so if it should ever start breaking down you'll see the handles deteriorate long before the blades are affected.

Eric
 
BDubbs said:
I’m sorry but I don’t understand the question, are you asking how to keep the celluloid nice?
Click to expand...

Dr Meako Dr Meako
Paging Dr Meako to the asylum.
(puffs thoughtfully on briar pipe and uses stem to gently prod patients skull)
Dr Meako: yairrrsss nyairsss...what we have here is a chronic case of ...what we psychiatrists..call
( gestures quotation marks)
CELLUNOIA..
It should pass with a short course of bone or wood handled pocketknives.
I my self have a beautiful 60s vintage Schrade butter and molasses cel knife...Im thinking if it it hasn't collapsed by now it never will
Cue spooky music

Or will it..?
Keep em separated.
 
Fine example indeed! I'd like to know IF anybody knows what can prompt outgassing? It can happen very rapidly, I hear. Is it humidity levels, exposure to sunshine, big fluctuations in heat? I have a Bulldog Jack that's supposed to be Cell, it looks very sparkly but I don't think it's more than 20 years old. Like to imagine it's Acrylic, but I don't take chances with it as it stays isolated in a cloth slip.

Thanks, Will
 
Will Power said:
I'd like to know IF anybody knows what can prompt outgassing? It can happen very rapidly, I hear. Is it humidity levels, exposure to sunshine, big fluctuations in heat?
Click to expand...

In my experience it is none of those. I had Bulldog cells isolated in a temperature and humidity controlled vault, vacuum sealed for over a decade with no issues - then without checking for a few months they ruined themselves and every adjoining knife in the bag.
 
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