What does celluloid feel like?

[Ondina]

It feels like plastic, just seems to have a slightly warmer feel to it than typical acrylics, a feeling that's difficult to explain, has to be felt/experienced.

 

I agree with Inka's description, is slightly different from plastic, warmer but not much different.

[Tweel]

Compared to acrylic pens, I primarily notice the lightness and warmth -- it seems very "organic"*, like some kind of very light wood or dried bone.

 

-- Brian

 

* Not that acrylic is inorganic!

 

[fuchsiaprincess]

Feels like plastic; smells like camphor.

[Pen2009]

At a store, I felt Omar's celluloid fountain pens and I can tell there are some tactile differences in the surface texture to my touch. A sales rep for Omar (and Aurora) said it takes longer to make a celluloid fountain pen because of its curing time (if that is a proper term to describe the manufacturing process for celluloid).

Edited June 14, 2009 by Pen2009

[Kabe]

I guess I'll have to get one to know

[Blade Runner]

I've seen expensive vintage pens made of celluloid with shrinkage issues so that trim becomes loose.

Is there a way to avoid that?

[bgray]

I've seen expensive vintage pens made of celluloid with shrinkage issues so that trim becomes loose.

Is there a way to avoid that?

 

My guess is fault of the celluloid manufacturer, or the maker.

 

Nitrous celluloid needs to cure for months, if not years. If it's not completely cured, it can move.

 

[Blade Runner]

I've seen expensive vintage pens made of celluloid with shrinkage issues so that trim becomes loose.

Is there a way to avoid that?

 

My guess is fault of the celluloid manufacturer, or the maker.

 

Nitrous celluloid needs to cure for months, if not years. If it's not completely cured, it can move.

So once its cured, it will never shrink like acrylic?

[eric47]

I've seen expensive vintage pens made of celluloid with shrinkage issues so that trim becomes loose.

Is there a way to avoid that?

 

My guess is fault of the celluloid manufacturer, or the maker.

 

Nitrous celluloid needs to cure for months, if not years. If it's not completely cured, it can move.

So once its cured, it will never shrink like acrylic?

Also bear in mind that celluloid begins to soften at a relatively low temperature -- it has a comparitively low melting temperature. Once you hit that temperature, I don't know if that means it will "shrink", but I suspect you might get some sort of distortion depending on the conditions.

 

While a Bic can survive the heat a car parked in the bright sun at beach, I'm not sure it would be a good idea to leave a celluloid (vintage or modern) in those conditions.

[georges zaslavsky]

It is warmer to the touch and generally translucent. Very pleasing aesthetically.

[Kabe]

Non-heat resistant? Then no buying! 100 degrees are common here

[eric47]

Non-heat resistant? Then no buying! 100 degrees are common here

Is it 100° where you use and store/leave your pens?

 

Visconti for instance says to store your celluloid pens at no more than 25-30° (C I take it. ).

[lowks]

Which one of the modern pens are celluloid besides Visconti?

[errantmarginalia]

Which one of the modern pens are celluloid besides Visconti?

 

Here's a recent thread addressing your question:

 

Celluloid pens

 

Best,

David

[Kabe]

Is it 100° where you use and store/leave your pens?

 

It's that anywhere, I would have to put my pens in the fridge! at least 30 C everyday, about 86 F

[simar]

Quite straightforward

I don't know about celluloid , but there is a tangible difference between the feel of my OMAS Milord (vegetal resin ) and my modern Parker Duofold (resin) . The OMAS feels softer and warmer than the Parker , which feels quite hard by comparison . Also the OMAS scratches very easily , even from a fingernail ; so I suppose there is a trade-off for feeling softer .

 

Regards , simar .