GEC bone question

[robertj298]

I'm wondering if GEC stabilizes their bone handles. I've read that unstabilized bone is pretty porous and subject to expanding and contracting causing it to work itself loose from fittings and cracking around pins. I'm trying to decide between bone and wood on my next knife. ..Thanks Bob

 

[9blades]

Hey Bob! Jackknife started a thread regarding this a few months ago, I belive the general consensus was that bone isn't stabalazied. It's already dense in its natural state, and a member here even called Case and asked; they said their bone was un-stabilized. GEC doesn't stabilize their bone either as far as I know...my google-fu is rather poor, perhaps another member can dig the thread up.

 

[pertinux]

I'm wondering if GEC stabilizes their bone handles. I've read that unstabilized bone is pretty porous and subject to expanding and contracting causing it to work itself loose from fittings and cracking around pins. I'm trying to decide between bone and wood on my next knife. ..Thanks Bob

Hey Bob! Jackknife started a thread regarding this a few months ago, I belive the general consensus was that bone isn't stabalazied. It's already dense in its natural state, and a member here even called Case and asked; they said their bone was un-stabilized. GEC doesn't stabilize their bone either as far as I know...my google-fu is rather poor, perhaps another member can dig the thread up.

(From the above: "Search took .03 seconds." Knowing where and how...? Timeless. )

The two circled results above, both from the first page of hits:

Pocket knife handle materials

A question on bone

OP, seeing as the first result I've cited above is your own thread, it would seem this is a troubling question for you, the durability of bone as a cover material on pocket knives? At this point, I'm not sure more information alone will allay your concerns. Go with what you're at peace with.

~ P.

 

[Primble]

I never ever worry about it. I have a lot of old knives with bone handles that stood the test of time and are still beauties. Based on my own experience, I would give bone a big thumbs up as a quality choice for knife handles. :thumbup:

 

[robertj298]

(From the above: "Search took .03 seconds." Knowing where and how...? Timeless. )

The two circled results above, both from the first page of hits:

Pocket knife handle materials

A question on bone

OP, seeing as the first result I've cited above is your own thread, it would seem this is a troubling question for you, the durability of bone as a cover material on pocket knives? At this point, I'm not sure more information alone will allay your concerns. Go with what you're at peace with.

~ P.

The information that would allay my concerns would be to find out if the bone in a knife I'm looking at is stabilized. It doesn't seem that any of the past threads come to any definitive conclusion.

 

[mr_badexample]

Call Great Eastern and ask.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I for one, prefer that bone not be stabilized, as is the case of the overwhelming majority of knife handles and gun grips. I do not care for a "plasticized" bone that is so thoroughly impregnated with resins in every nook and cranny, that what I have left is something that looks like that piece of amber in Jurassic Park with a fly entrapped in it. Insofar as wood is concerned, I don't care for altering the characteristics of wood by, again, injecting plastic resin into every nook and cranny; what piece of fine antique or 50+ year old Ethan Allan wood furniture does anyone have where the wood is stabilized? Unless we all have a life span of a few hundred years, a well cared for knife/handle will remain aesthetically attractive with a minimum of care, such as wiping down the wood scales with lemon oil on occasion, for many years. If a knife is a user to be abused, then who cares if the wood or bone is stabilized?

 

[arizonaranchman]

In the last thread on this IIRC it is NOT. With proper prep and the proper bone being used it is not necessary. Cattle shin bone is apparently quite stable. Rest assured GEC knows how to build quality knives in the time tested manner. The bone in their knives will last longer than most of us here.

 

[2Dead]

Both wood and bone could potentially have the issues you describe. If its really that much of a concern, go with micarta. In my experience, using GEC bone and wood handled knives for a couple of years now, there is no noticeable issue on my knives. I do wipe them down with lemon or mineral oil occasionally.

 

[MarkPinTx]

Robert, I have 50-60-70 year old knives that belonged to my grandfather that have nothing wrong with the bone handles: no cracks, breakage, shrinkage. On the other hand, I have a number of synthetic handled knives that have shrunken scales, notably a Camillus Cub Scout where the scales have retreated from the bolsters. Its from the late 70s or early 80s. My Pappaw used the crap out of his knives, the blades are nothing. The bone is fine.

If you intend it to be a safe queen, give it a periodic soak in mineral oil to keep it "limber." Otherwise, oil from your hands will keep it limber just like it did Pappaw's and a soak in mineral oil sure wont hurt.

That post you copied and pasted on the other thread may be technically accurate, but is probably one of the most hysterical things (not meaning laughable, although it is also that) I have seen on this site. If you are worried about breakage from dropping or mishandling, bone is going to be more vulnerable, yes. But in ordinary use it isn't going to fall apart on you. It's good stuff, no stabilization required. Cracks you see on new knives are likely caused by pin expansion during assembly and don't tend to propagate into full blown breaks.

 

[blademan 13]

I for one, prefer that bone not be stabilized, as is the case of the overwhelming majority of knife handles and gun grips. I do not care for a "plasticized" bone that is so thoroughly impregnated with resins in every nook and cranny, that what I have left is something that looks like that piece of amber in Jurassic Park with a fly entrapped in it. Insofar as wood is concerned, I don't care for altering the characteristics of wood by, again, injecting plastic resin into every nook and cranny; what piece of fine antique or 50+ year old Ethan Allan wood furniture does anyone have where the wood is stabilized? Unless we all have a life span of a few hundred years, a well cared for knife/handle will remain aesthetically attractive with a minimum of care, such as wiping down the wood scales with lemon oil on occasion, for many years. If a knife is a user to be abused, then who cares if the wood or bone is stabilized?

BINGO! We have a winner.... :thumbup: :thumbup:

Very well said, me no likey plastic unless it is meant to be plastic

 

[Mink]

I take a dab of the left over mineral oil from the pivot and rub it into the scales by hand on my GEC wood and bone handled knives. It never fails to absorb into the material, meaning it is not stabilized.

As others mentioned, historically a well-used knife will not need this as the oils from your hands will suffice.

 

[Will Power]

You'll be OK with wood or bone, just watch out for low humidity (it's the curse I live under in winter) this really can impact on all materials except perhaps micarta, even then....... Horn is a material that can be rather more tricky if improperly cured.

 

[richstag]

I like this about natural materials. Maybe not for a collector but for an EDC that the whole point. Something natural to care for. Neglect it and see what happens.