Care of celluloid handle knives

[milo]

If I store them in a dark closet and away from other knives will they be ok ?

[Mumbleypeg]

Your question is asked here often. I believe the general consensus is to keep them in open air and away from direct sunlight. Here’s one of several threads about celluloid and how to store it. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=54367

You can find many more by doing a search for “celluloid”.

Ken

[Gunsil]

I don't think celluloid likes oil and I try to keep it from getting under celluloid scales.

[herbva]

I have heard that storing them in a freezer may delay the start of decomposition, but I'm not sure if there is any hard evidence proving that theory, or any other theories, other than celluloid is inherently unstable and unpredictable. I think the best care is to keep a close watch on them and to store them away from any other knives that you value.

[eveled]

Time bombs everyone of them waiting for their time to go off. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

Sad but true. I guess they have lasted beyond their expected life, so we shouldn’t complain.

If anyone has a genuine family heirloom knife with celluloid covers, I’d strongly consider having it redone.

[jww]

How about the Case knives with the Corelon handles. How do they compare to celluloid? Will they stand the the test of time?

[Mumbleypeg]

I’ve never heard of any problems with Corelon stability. Of course, they haven’t been around a hundred plus years yet either.

Ken

[edge213]

How about the Case knives with the Corelon handles. How do they compare to celluloid? Will they stand the the test of time?

Corelon does not outgas. It will last.
Most celluloid makes beautiful knife handles. You do need to keep an eye on it though.
But, not all celluloid will outgass. I have some very old knives with celluloid that haven't outgassed. I doubt they ever will.
Having said that, I still check them regularly.
I would never buy a Fightin Rooster with celluloid. They all seem to outgas. I have a knife friend that calls them "Fightin Rusters".
I'm not afraid of celluloid, I still purchase them. Though I have had to have some rehandled.