I'm no expert on this topic, but I'm fairly certain it has something to do with particular batches of the acetate and how exactly it was manufactured. You can find old acetate handles from the same brands where one is totally fine after decades, and another example where a screwdriver isn't even that old and becomes covered in a white film and smells horrible. Perhaps climatic conditions and environment they were stored in also plays a role? Exposure to certain chemicals, UV light, etc.? I haven't researched it that thorougly, but it seems that perhaps some batches were not mixed properly or some other sort of manufacturing error. I'll have to look into it some more...it is a great handle material aside from that.
Nah, it has to do with the used formula. US products tend to have lots of bromine in it. And that stuff just smells after time. I only find smelling acetate from the US and Switzerland. So... European handles burn better? Regards, Etna.
@@Etna. interesting…if that’s the case, I wonder why some have issues and many do not? You’d think anything older than a certain age would start to stink but it seems to be more the exception than the rule. If it’s one of the ingredients causing the problem, you’d think they’d use a different recipe but perhaps they didn’t know any better. Or, more than likely, using the bromine was cheaper than the alternative. I know I have some pretty old acetate handles that haven’t had any issues. But I have found a few nasty ones over the years as well.
@@Etna. interesting…if that’s the case, I wonder why some have issues and many do not? You’d think anything older than a certain age would start to stink but it seems to be more the exception than the rule. If it’s one of the ingredients causing the problem, you’d think they’d use a different recipe but perhaps they didn’t know any better. Or, more than likely, using the bromine was cheaper than the alternative. I know I have some pretty old acetate handles that haven’t had any issues. But I have found a few nasty ones over the years as well.
I think it has to do with certain rules and legislature in those countries. But I am no chemist. Still I think it has to do with the recipe. I have never smelled German acetate handles. Yes, they might get dull after contact with certain material and they melt in contact with acetone. But otherwise... No reaction. And that's why I love all my German acetate. Regards, Etna.
Thanks! I don't view it as a collection. Just some regular tools for the everyday use. It is weird how across the pond similar looking things end up behaving very different. Regards, Etna.
I'm no expert on this topic, but I'm fairly certain it has something to do with particular batches of the acetate and how exactly it was manufactured. You can find old acetate handles from the same brands where one is totally fine after decades, and another example where a screwdriver isn't even that old and becomes covered in a white film and smells horrible. Perhaps climatic conditions and environment they were stored in also plays a role? Exposure to certain chemicals, UV light, etc.? I haven't researched it that thorougly, but it seems that perhaps some batches were not mixed properly or some other sort of manufacturing error. I'll have to look into it some more...it is a great handle material aside from that.
Nah, it has to do with the used formula. US products tend to have lots of bromine in it. And that stuff just smells after time. I only find smelling acetate from the US and Switzerland. So... European handles burn better?
Regards,
Etna.
@@Etna. interesting…if that’s the case, I wonder why some have issues and many do not? You’d think anything older than a certain age would start to stink but it seems to be more the exception than the rule. If it’s one of the ingredients causing the problem, you’d think they’d use a different recipe but perhaps they didn’t know any better. Or, more than likely, using the bromine was cheaper than the alternative. I know I have some pretty old acetate handles that haven’t had any issues. But I have found a few nasty ones over the years as well.
@@Etna. interesting…if that’s the case, I wonder why some have issues and many do not? You’d think anything older than a certain age would start to stink but it seems to be more the exception than the rule. If it’s one of the ingredients causing the problem, you’d think they’d use a different recipe but perhaps they didn’t know any better. Or, more than likely, using the bromine was cheaper than the alternative. I know I have some pretty old acetate handles that haven’t had any issues. But I have found a few nasty ones over the years as well.
I think it has to do with certain rules and legislature in those countries. But I am no chemist. Still I think it has to do with the recipe. I have never smelled German acetate handles. Yes, they might get dull after contact with certain material and they melt in contact with acetone. But otherwise... No reaction. And that's why I love all my German acetate.
Regards,
Etna.
any options that are still being made?
Nice collection!
I went down to the workshop, sniffed around and no smell. None of my tools smell either. Not even the ones with acetate handles.
Thanks! I don't view it as a collection. Just some regular tools for the everyday use.
It is weird how across the pond similar looking things end up behaving very different.
Regards,
Etna.
U should type a list with all the brand's.
Great idea!
Regards,
Etna.
Ohhh I love the acetate .... mmmm I love the smell aswell!
They start smelling if you keep then in a somewhat airtight container, like a drawer or a toolbox