Something really odd

[knife-nut]

I saw this on eBay and can’t quite understand what they are exactly. I think they might be a die for forming celluloid handles to be used with a stamped tin bolster. Not positive. Any other ideas? eBay item #123651139631 or search for knife handles die mold.

[Doc B]

I'm wondering if they were used to press out the shell handles, like on this imperial. I know this knife, originally had a thin coating of celluloid, over the "jigging"...but something had to stamp out this "shell".

The third picture down, top knife appears to have a whale...somewhat like this shell knife...

[OLDE CUTLER]

I'm wondering if they were used to press out the shell handles, like on this imperial. I know this knife, originally had a thin coating of celluloid, over the "jigging"...but something had to stamp out this "shell".
IMG_1516.jpg
The third picture down, top knife appears to have a whale...somewhat like this shell knife...
whale.png

You could be right, but if it was for stamping the metal shell handles, there would have to be a male and female dies. Maybe we are only seeing part of it.

[ea42]

Those are the shell handle blocks. They're formed exactly to the dimensions of the knife and hardened. They're then pressed into soft steel to form the die, which would then be hardened and used to form the actual handles.

Eric