Bone skrinkage

[Russell Payne]

I just ask a question on the forums and apperciate all the replys. I have another question. I would say it will be the last but I'm sure I'll think of something else as time goes by. Anyway, here goes. Why do the bone handles on some knives seem to shrink? Is there any way to avoid it? (Actually that was two questions). I have some older knives with bone handles and some of them seem to have shrunk a little. I know bone will chip, crack and split. Thanks in advance for any help you all can give. I really enjoy my Buck 303 brown jigged bone Cadet and wondered if this might be a problem in the future.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. May God bless each of you and your families.

 

[oneslowbird]

Russell, all bone and shell will shrink and discolor with age. It's an easy way to distinguish between good vintage stuff and cheap plastic. Check out the neck of a vintage guitar with abalone or mother of pearl inlays. They will exhibit separation from the wood due to shrinkage.
Later,
Alex

 

[Warhawk]

Hi Russell,

I have a 301 with red jigged bone and three 110's with bone handles, all from 1989-90, and none show any shrinkage yet. Also have a well worn Case trapper from the late 60's that has red jigged bone scales and they are nice and tight fitting as well. Wonder if it just has to do with the properties of the individual piece of bone or shell as to how quickly and pronounced the shrinkage will be?

Anyways, if any of mine do get noticeably shrunken, I'll just accept that as part of the normal aging process.

Hmmm...going to go look through Levine's Guide IV to see if there is any info on storage and minimizing bone damage.

Merry Christmas!