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Colorful plastic by any other name

Jim Frost called it Corelon. Michael Prater put in Case knives from Jim Frost and sold it at a premium price. In the old days it was called end of day celluloid. I tend to call it swirly plastic. I'm not a big fan of it, especially when it is marketed as something special or valuable.

When it is all white, it is called Cracked Ice or Imitation Pearl. I've also seen and own Imitation abalone. And then there is tortoise shell. Who doesn't like Imitation tortoise shell!

I know today's celluloid is much more stable that what was used in the past. I'm of the understanding that much of what is called celluloid today is actually acrylic resins. But at the end of the day, it is plastic, a cheap replacement material for higher priced natural materials. (bone, stag, hard woods, precious stones, etc.) So why does it demand a higher price tag than Delrin, another thermoplastic?

Is there anyone out there who is collecting modern celluloid, such as Case Corelon?

Is there anyone who collects older celluloid, specifically swirly or end of day material?

U.S Classic Tiger Eye Swirl.

Rough Rider Blue/Brown Swirl (top) and Tortoise Shell (bottom)

Imperial Cracked Ice (often sold as MOP)

Wenger Snife (Rhythm)

Case Corelon (stock photo) - I don't own any Corelon.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on October 7, 2013 at 15:05

Well I am kind of a fan:

I really like the color. I think they are close but have not yet hit the mark on non-celluloid products.The example I show here is tame compared to knives in celluloid that have been shown here on iKC.

Some folks may not care for it but I think there is a market for it. The more color the better!

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 7, 2013 at 16:37

I like the looks of the Corelon, a lot. I plan on getting some Case knives in it sooner or later.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 7, 2013 at 17:22

Craig, do you feel that pretty plastic should be the same price, if not more than bone or an exotic wood? Or should it be priced about the same as Delrin?

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 7, 2013 at 17:31

I'd like to see it about, maybe a little more, than delrin. But I don't know what licensing agreement is involved and they are being made in "limited" runs. My understanding is that the name "Corelon" is owned by Frost and is a take off of the name "Corian". So I don't know. I do know I like them though.

One person came up with this; "I called Case and was told that the knife itself is made by Case and then shipped to Frost cutlery to have the handle put on, apparently Frost has the right to use Corelon and Case doesn't."

So it sounds like pricing has more to do with Frost.

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on October 7, 2013 at 17:49

Corelon is a specific blend of acylics and that product is only made by Michael Prater and Co. Other acrylics are usually advertised simply as acylic. While I prefer the feel of a natural material, I do like the colors available in the acrylics. Prater and companies is generally made in smaller batches than what a standard producer of those materials make. Also, a good many of them are actually handled at Prater & Company vs just the material being sent to the manufacture.

Some of them are replacements that were created because we cannot get or afford the "real" materials. Tortoise shell for example, not somthing you can just go buy. Some folks like the mammoth chip because the like the contast in colors, want a more exotic handle but want it to be a user.

Variety is what makes knife collecting fun for some. It allows them to have thier favorite patterns in multiple handles. All a personal preferance. I am for collecting whatever you like and just enjoying it

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 7, 2013 at 18:09

Where does Frost enter into the picture? A lot of people are under the impression that Frost is behind Corelon.

So, Michael Prater and Co. sells handles to Frost and then Frost handles the Case knives?

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Permalink Reply by Chuck Parham on October 7, 2013 at 18:14

I like the looks of some acrylics but not all. However, I do not agree that they should be priced higher than bone or any other natural materials. I would buy an acrylic Mammoth tooth or something that is very close looking to the real deal material but I'm n ot paying a high price for something melted together at the end of the day with all the other scrap bits then poured onto a shhet and swirled around. That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 7, 2013 at 18:26

Where does Frost enter into the picture of Corelon:

Word Mark	CORELON
Goods and Services	IC 008. US 023 028 044. G & S: cutlery, namely pocket and collector's knives. FIRST USE: 20001231. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20001231
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code	(4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number	78449058
Filing Date	July 12, 2004
Current Basis	1A
Original Filing Basis	1A
Published for Opposition	April 18, 2006
Registration Number	3113734
Registration Date	July 11, 2006
Owner	(REGISTRANT) Frost, James A. DBA Frost Cutlery INDIVIDUAL UNITED STATES 6861 Mountain View Road Ooltewah TENNESSEE 37363 (LAST LISTED OWNER) FROST CUTLERY COMPANY LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY TENNESSEE 6861 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD OOLTEWAH TENNESSEE 37363
Assignment Recorded	ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record	Susan B. Flohr
Type of Mark	TRADEMARK
Register	PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text	SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator	LIVE

Also Corelon is no way related to Corian. Initially it was imitation "Coraline" an type of colorful rock formed from Coraline algae. Jim Frost contracted with Michael Prater to handle the Case knives for him. There was a lot of temper tantrum thrown at first when Frost began selling these knives as a Case Exclusive. There was also rumors that the earliest offerings were not produced by Prater.

Since the initial contract expired, Frost has expanded the use of Corelon to non Case made knives, particularly Hen & Rooster. These handle are applied in the Prater factory. Michael Prater might be mixing and making the Corelon handles, but make no mistake, Frost owns the rights!

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 7, 2013 at 18:31

So Frost IS behind Corelon. That is what I've always read here and there over the years. I wonder how he came up with the name "Corelon"? I read it was a "take-off" of the name Corian, not related to Corian. Maybe not.

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on October 7, 2013 at 18:33

Well, all that aside........I still like it, and will get some sometime.

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Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on October 7, 2013 at 18:34

Also Corelon is no way related to Corian. Initially it was imitation "Coraline" an type of colorful rock formed from Coraline algae.

Craig Henry said:

So Frost IS behind Corelon. That is what I've always read here and there over the years. I wonder how he came up with the name "Corelon"? I read it was a "take-off" of the name Corian, not related to Corian. Maybe not.