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Anyone have/seen this handle material - Abalone Flake?

I'm new to IKC, so not sure if this is the right place to ask, but wondering if anyone is familiar with this handle material, which I was told is called Abalone Flake. It appears tho be clear celluloid with pieces of abalone molded in. I got the first knife with the Slant bolsters back in the late sixties in a box of old knives from my grandfather's garage. Years later when I met my eventual father-in-law (his name was Ron Arteman, he was an early and avid NKCA member), he sorted through the box and picked a couple of knives that were decent and polished them up and the abalone suddenly appeared. In subsequent years I collected a handful of other knives with the same material, most Imperial, but a few others - Shapleigh, Ulster, Keen Blade(?), even one Kabar, but not sure if that one is authentic. Just wondered if anyone else has any.

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Replies to This Discussion

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on November 6, 2016 at 19:25

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on November 6, 2016 at 19:43

Interesting source of matl would allow one to "duplicate" scale material.

i have seen the material before

but

not often.

Good looking scale material.

beware of "gassing out".

'tis probably celluloid based.

Enjoy

D ale

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on November 6, 2016 at 19:45

Is the second row from top on the left the Ulster ???

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 6, 2016 at 20:46

Mark,

I know that henry sears & sons company also used that same material and the oldest knife I can find with it being used is 1865.

Henry sears & son 1865 was purchased from Chicago manufacturer Henry sears & co.,1865-1878. in 1878 by farwell-ozmun-kirk & co., a Chicago wholesaler and furnished knives til 1959.

I also found a reference to A mint pen knife with beautiful "abalone chip" celluloid handles, clear celluloid with real abalone chips embedded, made by Imperial circa 1920's to early 1930's, tang stamp is Keen Knife USA, it was a contract knife for a Boston company.

I also know that it was a popular material for Scheaffer pens in the late 30's

Permalink Reply by Mark klinger on November 6, 2016 at 21:53

D ale said:

Is the second row from top on the left the Ulster ???

Nope, the Ulster is third row down on the right. It has a match strike pull.

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Permalink Reply by Mark klinger on November 6, 2016 at 21:55

Jan Carter said:

Mark,

I know that henry sears & sons company also used that same material and the oldest knife I can find with it being used is 1865.

Henry sears & son 1865 was purchased from Chicago manufacturer Henry sears & co.,1865-1878. in 1878 by farwell-ozmun-kirk & co., a Chicago wholesaler and furnished knives til 1959.

I also found a reference to A mint pen knife with beautiful "abalone chip" celluloid handles, clear celluloid with real abalone chips embedded, made by Imperial circa 1920's to early 1930's, tang stamp is Keen Knife USA, it was a contract knife for a Boston company.

I also know that it was a popular material for Scheaffer pens in the late 30's

Thanks Jan!

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on November 7, 2016 at 3:28

ULSTER