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Shell handle plastic covers

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:03 am
by judewhopper
Does anyone have a source for the oftentimes funky colored plastic covers on the shell knives? I have a couple but have seen some that would be beautiful if I could find something to re-cover them with.

All I've been able to find is clear plastic that is the same thickness. I found some solid color plastic but it's nothing like the art deco that it's supposed to be and a lot thinner.

The one I'm looking at now is about .015" thick which translates to 15 mil thickness. What I found is only 3 mil if I remember correctly.

Thanks,
Danny

Re: Shell handle plastic covers

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 8:28 pm
by orvet
I think that thin sheeting was actually celluloid in a sheet form.
If it was celluloid, it seemed to be more stable than the thicker forms.
Rarely have I see it out-gas. They started using it in the 1930s; I am not aware of any other plastic in those days except celluloid.

To replace the old celluloid sheeting you would have to find some other type of plastic sheeting; a modern plastic.

Good luck with that, I have not found anything, but I am sure someone must make something that would work.

Please let us know what you find!

Re: Shell handle plastic covers

Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:47 pm
by judewhopper
Well, that's dissapointing. I knew it was celluloid but planned to replace it with plastic. The Internet is a huge place but there is nothing out there for this application that I've found. Everything is too thin and solid colors. Solid colors are no fun. No fun at all.

I have a friend that manages a rubber plant. I think I'll write him now...

Danny