SCHATT&MORGAN CELLULOID HANDLED KNIVES

Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knives


Here's an item that's as unique as it is stunningly beautiful -- a Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knife. Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knives are historical gems that date all the way back to the turn of the century. By the 1940s and 1950s these knives were no longer being manufactured which makes hunting down a Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knife a real find.

Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knives first became world renown for their amazing attention to detail at the end of the 19th Century. The Schatt and Morgan Cutlery Company is founded in



Gowanda, NY in 1890, eventually becoming Queen Cutlery. Queen Cutlery is still housed in the original Schatt and Morgan factory and many of the delicate hand processes and operations employed by Schatt and Morgan are being used to this day. Skilled craftsmen are essential to build a "factory knife" by hand and, while it doesn't lead to mass production or extremely low prices, the results are beautiful, functional knives. This tradition of excellence goes back to the days when Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knives began gathering a wide variety of loyal customers.

You've probably seen Celluloid and perhaps have mistaken it for plastic or mother of pearl. But the defining quality of a Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knife, the Celluloid handle itself, has a more humble beginning. Celluloid is a man-made material that was commonly used for knife handles for almost fifty years. Celluloid was the world's first successful thermoplastic substance. It was developed and patented just after America's Civil War by Alexander Parkes. Made from a combination of tree resin, camphor and a nitrate/cellulose substance, the new material -- Celluloid -- was given a name made up by Parkes. Early on, Celluloid came in only two colors and had rather limited applications. The white version was used mostly in knife handles like the Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knife and trimmings for horse harnesses. A flesh color was used for denture bases. Within a few years of its introduction, Celluloid was being made in most colors. Imitation ivory, coral and tortoise shell versions were also being used in costume jewelry. Extensive dressing table sets -- combs, hand mirrors, hair receivers, boxes -- were soon being manufactured. But Celluloid's greatest use was in the fashion industry, where artificial collars and cuffs became the standard. Even dolls were made from this fascinating substance.

So as you can see, the Celluloid you'll find on a Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knife can be clear, come in many different colors, or perhaps will have swirled patterns in it for extra decoration. Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knives hit their peak in the 1920s and 1930s, but by mid-century Celluloid's day was about over, as modern plastics came to the forefront.

While a fascinating treasure, it's worth noting that vintage Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knives require great care as the Celluloid can be problematic in its upkeep. The lighter or clearer the color of the Celluloid, the greater the tendency for the material to break down, causing the steel blade of the knife to decompose or rust. Still, a Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knife or collection of them is well worth the extra effort and upkeep. Heavy oils and protective waxes will help ensure that your Schatt and Morgan Celluloid Handled Knife stays one of your most valued keepsakes.