Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jean-François on June 6, 2015 at 10:27

It's  Bakelite, Duke.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on June 6, 2015 at 17:43

Duke, I would not definitely call these Bakelite handles-- Amber was just a color designation- These ARE a synthetic material, Bakelite, Catalin, celluloid, or other synthetic materials are all possibilities-- If you can post some clear readable pics of the tang stamps, I can date these more accurately and give you a better idea of the material used in the handles-

Permalink Reply by Duke Biscotti on June 7, 2015 at 5:54

Hi JOhn:  the 16A has a tang stamp and no etching, so it wold be a early 1950's knife.  the 9A has a tang stamp and blade etching so it would be 1958-1960.  

John McCain said:

Duke, I would not definitely call these Bakelite handles-- Amber was just a color designation- These ARE a synthetic material, Bakelite, Catalin, celluloid, or other synthetic materials are all possibilities-- If you can post some clear readable pics of the tang stamps, I can date these more accurately and give you a better idea of the material used in the handles-

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 8, 2015 at 13:42

Duke,

I would say have a look at the older catalogs and see if they are in there  http://www.queencutlery.com/Catalogs.html

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on June 8, 2015 at 20:45

I'm guessing ... celluloid.

Permalink Reply by Dan Lago on June 12, 2015 at 19:02

 Just some ideas.  Amber color is a very difficult material to pin down -. In the early 50s catalogs the amber versions of patterns were given a distinct model #. (like the Dixie switch patterns - now called "Utility)  Pre-war and early Queens sometimes used celluloid (or some similar synthetic), because I have seen some that have gassed-out.  By the 1970s I'll bet most of it was yellow  Delrin which has a flatter, less lustrous finish. Lots of them show rivet cracks.  At least in 2001 they used a clear acylic with a yellow underlayer and that has a high luster (Crown Yellow)- it is nicer than the delrin amber IMO  The #16 small stockman has that nice shine, but I do not think it was cataloged - doesn't mean they didn't use it. The #9has more of that flat delrin look to me

I've attached a link to the Amber report on the Historical Document section, but it is not yet updated to include the new round of early catalogs.   I do not think even the older catalogs describe the various materials used. And they have changed those over time.  Good luck

http://www.queencutlery.com/uploads/Amber_report_5-30-2014.pdf

Permalink Reply by Dan Lago on June 13, 2015 at 13:38

Try to be a bit more specific using draft catalog database that has older catalogs in it (not public yet - still cleaning-up.Hope to have it ready before August show)

1. Early Queen with celluloid gassing was a model #85 trout. 

2. First catalog to show pocket knives with "A" suffix on regular model #s was 1955 for both #9 and #16. So stuff would be newer than that IMO

3. First catalog to use "colors" for delrin handles was #50 in 1972- through late 70s.  with "Black" also some "yellow" and "red." Most things after that (except for "Crown Yellow" acrylic, 2001) I would lean toward Delrin.  It is clear they were using "frontier stag" delrin ( the most common simulated winterbottom) as early as the late 50s, phasing in through much of 60s, but I don't see color like delrin plastics until much later. Of course they could have been using it- just do not know.

Permalink Reply by Duke Biscotti on June 13, 2015 at 14:43

thanks for this Dan.  from the tang stamps on my two knives it does seem they are from the late 50's so it fits with your comments. 

Dan Lago said:

Try to be a bit more specific using draft catalog database that has older catalogs in it (not public yet - still cleaning-up.Hope to have it ready before August show)

1. Early Queen with celluloid gassing was a model #85 trout. 

2. First catalog to show pocket knives with "A" suffix on regular model #s was 1955 for both #9 and #16. So stuff would be newer than that IMO

3. First catalog to use "colors" for delrin handles was #50 in 1972- through late 70s.  with "Black" also some "yellow" and "red." Most things after that (except for "Crown Yellow" acrylic, 2001) I would lean toward Delrin.  It is clear they were using "frontier stag" delrin ( the most common simulated winterbottom) as early as the late 50s, phasing in through much of 60s, but I don't see color like delrin plastics until much later. Of course they could have been using it- just do not know.

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on June 13, 2015 at 20:26

Dan, Thank you.  That info is great!  looking forward to more info coming in the catalogs also, you have really been giving us great resources with those 

Permalink Reply by Dan Lago on August 17, 2015 at 14:48

Just an update, The revised Amber report is in the "Series Reports" down under the  actual catalogs in the Historical Documents section of Queen's we website, covering all known "Amber" knives since 1947 -- there are MANY over the years - about 426 different versions offered according to the summary report (a 14 page table). 

.   http://www.queencutlery.com/uploads/Amber_report_47-2013__7-25-2015...

At no time, after review, is information provided on the exact type of amber material used, with the exception of crown yellow..  

We have replaced the older version referenced above (2014) with this one which covers twice as long and is much more useful.  (Side comment = the length of these reports is becoming so long. I much prefer consulting the stuff online rather  than my old-time strategy of printing everything.  If you want your own copy, focus on downloading reports) . 

Dan