Parker Case Classics info (73055)

[jon303]

Hello,

Bought a Case abalone whittler for my dad back in the late 90s IIRC. He gave it back to me somewhat recently as it had a lot (A LOT) of surface rust and pitting.

I attempted to remove the rust chemically and while the rust situation improved I think the chemicals inadvertently weakened the spring which has since snapped.

I emailed Case Customer Service and they suggested reaching out to Parker’s Knife Collectors Service. The only contact info I could find was a number and address in Chattanooga TN and wanted to ask if anyone else had any luck reaching Parker’s Service (does it still exist?)?

From what I had read Jim Parker previously owned Case and produced the Case Classics during that time frame.

If I’m SOL are there any recommendations from folks for who might be able to repair (with cost of course)?

This is the email I received from Case Support

“
Our repair technicians evaluated your knife and determined your knife is part of the “Case Classics” line and was not manufactured by W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Company. The legal rights for this line were held exclusively by James Parker from 1988 to 1998. The “Case Classics” knives produced during this time frame carry their own warranty. Details about these products may be obtained through Parkers’ Knife Collectors Service.

We are sorry we are unable to comply with your repair request.”

Thanks!

 

[Arathol]

Jim Parker died some time ago. That PKCS has been gone for years....
Your knife was made by Queen Cutlery for Jim Parker, who owned the Case brand at the time. Queen is long since gone too. So, your options are pretty much limited to finding somebody who can fix it using parts from a similar donor knife or by making and fitting a new spring.

 

[knarfeng]

Does the box absolutely identify the cover material? Looking at the pictures, the pattern and type of corrosion matches what one would see if the covers were celluloid and the celluloid were degrading. I see shrinkage of the covers, and corrosion on the bolsters next to the covers. Degrading celluloid releases nitric acid. And it produces similar effects.

If the covers are celluloid, you need to remove them ASAP. Until you identify the cover material, I would isolate the knife from any of your others. There is no way to stop or reduce celluloid degradation once it starts.

I wll gladly defer to anyone who says that is absolutely abolone, but it looks like degrading celluloid to me. Parker did produce knives with abalone celluloid.

 

[Arathol]

The pattern number should be 83055 if it was genuine shell.....7 was used for composite or laminate handles, including celluloid unfortunately.

 

[waynorth]

Does the box absolutely identify the cover material? Looking at the pictures, the pattern and type of corrosion matches what one would see if the covers were celluloid and the celluloid were degrading. I see shrinkage of the covers, and corrosion on the bolsters next to the covers. Degrading celluloid releases nitric acid. And it produces similar effects.

If the covers are celluloid, you need to remove them ASAP. Until you identify the cover material, I would isolate the knife from any of your others. There is no way to stop or reduce celluloid degradation once it starts.

I wll gladly defer to anyone who says that is absolutely abolone, but it looks like degrading celluloid to me. Parker did produce knives with abalone celluloid.

I think Frank is absolutely correct! I had a celluloid knife "gas off" and eat through the liners and part of the spring!!

 

[Rookie82]

That fake abalone material is a color variation of celluloid. It was some of the worst material made for outgassing, and it breaks down and ruins the bolsters, blades, and springs. It starts with surface corrosion, and eventually starts pitting deeper. If you have it stored near other knives, it will start to ruin them as well. I recommend you get those handles off there if you want to save the knife. If you can find a good knife rehandler, pay them to put genuine abalone handles on instead (or whatever other handle material you prefer).

For that reason, I refuse to own any celluloid handled knives.

 

[Modoc ED]

Mods. This to help the OP get as much info as possible and possible resolution - although not likely.

As stated above Jim Parker passed some time ago. His son is Buzz Parker and he runs Cutlery Corner Knives in or about Chattanooga, TN . You might Google Buzz Parker Knives.

 

[jon303]

Thanks all for your help/info! It was stored mostly in the box apart from my dad's other knives so I think they should be ok. I had no idea about celluloid outgassing but appreciate all the help and suggestions.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

If you can find a copy, there's a book called the 'Pocket Knife Trader's Price Guide' that was authored by James 'Buzz' Parker & Ed Henley. I have a copy (Volume 8 / 2007), and it lists knives from Bulldog and also the Case Classic Line produced by Jim Parker. In the book, there's a version of the 73055 in a handle material called 'Abalone Swirl'. The book itself makes no reference to celluloid specifically, for that pattern. BUT, in searching Google for 'Abalone Swirl', I do see a reference on a reseller site to a Bulldog-branded knife in the same handle material, which DOES point out the material IS celluoid. Jim Parker was involved in contracting the Friedrich Olbertz factory in Germany to make special versions of the Bulldog patterns as well (this is mentioned in the book, BTW, which also lists those Bulldog patterns). So, if he had a hand in putting celluloid on the Bulldog patterns, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it ended up on the Case Classics too.

I've never understood, in the late 1980s - early '90s timeframe, why anybody would deliberately choose to use to put celluloid on a knife handle at all, after the outgassing hazards had been well-documented for decades. That has always had me scratching my head. I have ONE Case Classic pattern stockman (5340, in stag thankfully), which is why I'd purchased Parker's guide in the first place, as I was curious to the origins of the knife I bought.

 

[Arathol]

If you can find a copy, there's a book called the 'Pocket Knife Trader's Price Guide' that was authored by James 'Buzz' Parker & Ed Henley. I have a copy (Volume 8 / 2007), and it lists knives from Bulldog and also the Case Classic Line produced by Jim Parker. In the book, there's a version of the 73055 in a handle material called 'Abalone Swirl'. The book itself makes no reference to celluloid specifically, for that pattern. BUT, in searching Google for 'Abalone Swirl', I do see a reference on a reseller site to a Bulldog-branded knife in the same handle material, which DOES point out the material IS celluoid. Jim Parker was involved in contracting the Friedrich Olbertz factory in Germany to make special versions of the Bulldog patterns as well (this is mentioned in the book, BTW, which also lists those Bulldog patterns). So, if he had a hand in putting celluloid on the Bulldog patterns, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it ended up on the Case Classics too.

I've never understood, in the late 1980s - early '90s timeframe, why anybody would deliberately choose to use to put celluloid on a knife handle at all, after the outgassing hazards had been well-documented for decades. That has always had me scratching my head. I have ONE Case Classic pattern stockman (5340, in stag thankfully), which is why I'd purchased Parker's guide in the first place, as I was curious to the origins of the knife I bought.

Almost all of Parkers Bull Dog Brand knives were made by Olbertz. Celluloid was used because it was colorful and cheap. It was used on some Case classics too, and on Fight'n Rooster knives and some others as well.
The first digit in the Case pattern number says its celluloid.......

 

[Rookie82]

When the Queen factory closed in 2018 there were lots and lots of leftover celluloid handle material sheets in storage. Guys fought over who would get it so they could put it onto new knives that needed handles. I have no idea why people still want to use Celluloid, but as of a few years ago they were still putting them on knives by request.