Posted 8 years ago
LOUMANAL
(436 items)
I really controlled myself last week at an Antiques show and only picked up this neat Solingen pocket knife from Germany. The dealer was selling it for $4.00 because the covering (plastic, MOP?) handle was lifting at one end (see close-up photos). I suggested clamping with glue but he suggested hot air (hair blower and clamping). There are no studs on the cover of the knife so it is actually held together by a metal stud on the metal body of the knife (last photo shows the actual separation from the stud). I'm worried that by clamping it, it may shatter the 2 layered covering. What should I do?.....it's a wonderful condition knife that looks like it was stored and never used for over half a century. The blades are marked INOX SOLINGEN GERMANY. Any suggestions appreciated. What is the material on the knife called..plastics? RER
looks like celluloid to me. celluloid is an unstable material. it can fall apart without notice. knife makers haven't used celluloid in decades because of this. it is highly corrosive . keep it separate from any other valuable knives. it can even cause them to rust if they are stored together.
although its a crap handle material, it does add value to older knives. I guess because it does destroy most knives that have these type scales. the 1s that survive do have some rarity to them. the scale is, im guessing celluloid and a victim as such.. celluloid does shrink and is very unpredictable. a beautiful knife today, can be a trashed out defect by morning.
I know about celluloid since I play with ping pong balls and I use them regularly. Old vanity items like mirror cases, combs were made of Celluloid. I knew that it was a hazardous material because of it's flammable aspect but corrosive to other things, is new to me. Nitrocellulose was used in old film production and jewelry also. Bob
Thank you Wyatt for your input and love and thank you blunderbuss2, fortapache and mikelv85 for the love. RER
If the knife were mine, I would use both air (hair dryer) and krazy glue, and then secure and protect the handle with COBAN Elastic Bandage before clamping it with a small C clamp for 24 hours.
First, use the hair dryer on MEDIUM (then HIGH if necessary) to flex the scale back flush with the metal liner, then use a thin, flat plastic toothpick to apply Krazy Glue to the back side of the scale (be careful not to apply too much glue to prevent seepage when the scale is pressed firmly to the metal liner). Tightly wrap the handle with COBAN Elastic Tape, and finally clamp it with a C clamp. Leave it clamped overnight (24 hours). [;>)
Thank you NevadaBlades! Will try your recommendation and will repost the results. Thank you for the love to you and vetraio50, jscott0363, officialfuel and TassieDevil for the love. Bob
Beautiful knife Bob.
Cellulose used in old/vintage watch crystals caused rusting inside the watch, this is because of the gases given off by decaying cellulose. The same may happen if used in stored knives, I would keep it somewhere that air can circulate around it/them, thus removing harmful gases.
Cheers, (another!) Bob.
Thank you bobbie for the love and comments and kyratango, racer4four and kivatinitz for the love. RER