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Delrin or Bone?
- Thread starter Ramrodmb
- Start date
black mamba
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Delrin
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Thanks, Jeff.
It's on its way here already. I like the suspense.
Just wanted opinions on being able to tell from a pic.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2009
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- 13,502
'Winterbottom Jigged Delrin', it looks to me. Might also be referred to as 'imitation Winterbottom'.
Some older 'Winterbottom' Queens were bone, and more obviously so, with a lot of varation in jigging pattern or in their color (darker areas faded, or lighter areas yellowed with age). And old ones in bone show more polish to the bone when they're somewhat 'pocket-worn'. But the jigged Delrin versions are nearly identical in the jigging pattern and color, and a bit less polished, i.e. 'flat' in their finish, like most Delrin that's showing any wear at all. The thread linked below has some good pics of many 'Winterbottom' Queens in both bone and Delrin. In particular, post #15 in that thread pictures two Delrin Folding Hunters at the top, side-by-side, and you can see the near-identical jigging between the two. See the quote box below the link:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/older-queen-knives-the-start-of-a-royal-relationship.1175956/
Some older 'Winterbottom' Queens were bone, and more obviously so, with a lot of varation in jigging pattern or in their color (darker areas faded, or lighter areas yellowed with age). And old ones in bone show more polish to the bone when they're somewhat 'pocket-worn'. But the jigged Delrin versions are nearly identical in the jigging pattern and color, and a bit less polished, i.e. 'flat' in their finish, like most Delrin that's showing any wear at all. The thread linked below has some good pics of many 'Winterbottom' Queens in both bone and Delrin. In particular, post #15 in that thread pictures two Delrin Folding Hunters at the top, side-by-side, and you can see the near-identical jigging between the two. See the quote box below the link:
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/older-queen-knives-the-start-of-a-royal-relationship.1175956/
From 1961 to 1971, Queen didn't use tang stamps, just blade etches, and I don't think they even etched the carbon steel blades.
I love the older Queens. These are all Delrin.
These are bone, with one modern thrown in on the lower left.
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Modoc ED
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@waynorth posted this a long time ago as to testing various cover material.
"O.K, here's the test for plastic that I use.
I get a razor sharp knife, and I lay the knife to be tested on the table, shield or front side up.
I grab/pinch the butt of the test knife between my thumb and forefinger. I rest the sharp knife on the handle material like I am preparing to cut the test knife in half. Without pressing down, just using the weight of the sharp knife, holding gently, scrape to the right (toward the bolster) like you are trying to remove a little paint.
If the blade "skates" or slips, it's bone (or antler)!! If it drags or catches, it's plastic. Sometimes the blade will "bite" cow or buffalo horn, depending on density, but magnified, horn looks like compressed hair - fibrous.
Never tried it on tortoise."
"O.K, here's the test for plastic that I use.
I get a razor sharp knife, and I lay the knife to be tested on the table, shield or front side up.
I grab/pinch the butt of the test knife between my thumb and forefinger. I rest the sharp knife on the handle material like I am preparing to cut the test knife in half. Without pressing down, just using the weight of the sharp knife, holding gently, scrape to the right (toward the bolster) like you are trying to remove a little paint.
If the blade "skates" or slips, it's bone (or antler)!! If it drags or catches, it's plastic. Sometimes the blade will "bite" cow or buffalo horn, depending on density, but magnified, horn looks like compressed hair - fibrous.
Never tried it on tortoise."
Will Power
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- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 33,603
Probably Delrin due to the age of the knife and the regularity of the jigging. If there's any verdigris brass bleed on the liners/scale slabs then it's more likely to be bone as this natural material 'breathes' thus reaction can take place.
It IS very difficult to tell at times even when handling the knife
For instance, I have a Queen Jack- same frame as their Small Stockman, from the mid 70s in WB. The seller claimed it was delrin but after washing it and examining it under a loupe I began to suspect it's bone. Wrong era my rationale told me. But what are these pores and why does washing it alter it somewhat a tiny voice asked? I also found out that Schatt & Morgan released knives at the same time with genuine bone WB. So maybe some was left over? Still not sure
I don't have any gas cookers or butane torches to heat up a red hot pin, that would settle it
It IS very difficult to tell at times even when handling the knife
For instance, I have a Queen Jack- same frame as their Small Stockman, from the mid 70s in WB. The seller claimed it was delrin but after washing it and examining it under a loupe I began to suspect it's bone. Wrong era my rationale told me. But what are these pores and why does washing it alter it somewhat a tiny voice asked? I also found out that Schatt & Morgan released knives at the same time with genuine bone WB. So maybe some was left over? Still not sure I don't have any gas cookers or butane torches to heat up a red hot pin, that would settle it