Aging Bone Scales

[ErikMB]

Hi folks,

My awesome family just gifted me a brand new Case medium stockman in unbleached natural bone with a nice crusifix on it and the word "Dad".

I am wondering how the bone will look as it ages. Can anyone point me to pictures of this kind of bone, aged? I see a lot but I have no idea how they started. ;-)

Here's a link to a knife like the one they gave me: https://www.casexx.com/Details/?ProductCode=2250402&Patid=30

Thanks!

 

[Arathol]

This is an Ulster Dwight Divine jack that belonged to my grandfather. Its from sometime before WW2, and has natural bone slabs. You can see more or less what yours will look like in 80 years.....

 

[killgar]

I'd say that how your knife handles look over time will be the result of the specific conditions they are exposed to.

If your knife sits in a drawer, say, for the next 50 years, never being used, then I would expect the handles to look exactly as they do now. But, if for example, the knife were exposed to a lot of sunlight, or the salt and acidity of sweat from being carried in a pocket during hot weather, or from your hand during use, then they might look different.

And since bone is porous, it can be vulnerable to stains from whatever substances the handles may come into contact with. And that would change their appearance.

Another factor, if the handles have been treated with some form of sealant, that may preserve their appearance. But I don't know if Case is currently using any such treatments on their bone handles.

 

[Horsewright]

This one has cut a couple hundred calves:

Does bone age/patina etc as it gets used and with age? Sure ask this wild pig:

I've made several hundred knives with plain bone, both steer shin bone, camel bone, buffalo bone and antelope bone:

Antelope:

Buffalo:

Anyhoo, most folks would say it looks better with some life, I would and congrats on a great Father's Day gift!

 

[ErikMB]

Wow! Those are GORGEOUS!!!! I also love the metal on the rifle, as well. Beautiful effect there!

Does anyone know what some black specks in the pores of brand new, clean bone might be? Brown I am starting to understand and yellow for general aging, but the black makes me think of bacteria, actually.

I love this "Dad" with the cross on it stockman my wife gave me for Fathers' Day. I finally have an everyday carry that will be for every day.

 

[Horsewright]

Thanks

More often than not it is just grime from working the bone during the making of the knife. Sanding dust and buffing compound in all likeyhood. It can be prevented by sealing with multiple coats of superglue and sanding smooth between coats. This is labor intensive and cost prohibitive in a production setting. It also has to do with where the bone scale is cut from. Towards the outside and its gonna be smoother. Towards the inside more pithy with lots more lil holes,pores, to catch gunk.

 

[ErikMB]

Thanks for that perfect answer, Dave.

 

[Horsewright]

Ya bet sir. If the pores aren’t too bad I will often only partially seal them. Often times the bone will finish up with what I call an ancient ivory look.