Thread: Preventing cell rot

My advice, keep petroleum based products away from the scales. Be careful to not get oil on the scales when oiling the blade. In my experience(costly experience) faux ivory and slick black synthetic scales arent near as likely to gas out as translucent or transparent scales. I once paid $400 for an antique pocket knife with clear celluloid scales only to have them start gassing a couple yeara later. Also celluloid is very flamable and unstable so keep that in mind

Originally Posted by tbrandon

My advice, keep petroleum based products away from the scales. Be careful to not get oil on the scales when oiling the blade. In my experience(costly experience) faux ivory and slick black synthetic scales arent near as likely to gas out as translucent or transparent scales. I once paid $400 for an antique pocket knife with clear celluloid scales only to have them start gassing a couple yeara later. Also celluloid is very flamable and unstable so keep that in mind

If an antique knife with nice celluloid scales began gassing within a few years after purchase, yet had not for a hundred years, I wonder why. I figure to try several things along the journey. The silicone has been the best thing yet, FME.