Mark side bone, pile side Delrin?

[SubSpace]

I tried to take decent photographs, but am unable to show the details in the current lighting I have. But I really think one of my "new" old Case knives has a mark side scale made from bone and the pile side is Delrin. When I look at the edges by the springs, I can see the color lightening/variations on the mark side, but the pile side is a completely even, uniform dark brown. If it isn't synthetic, it is the best bone dye job I have ever seen.

I know I can't get judgements without a decent photo, but does anyone know if Case used to do this? Or did I just get a really superlative dye job on this knife?

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Use a brightly-illuminated magnifier (10X or better) to look for pores/grain. I've yet to see a bone cover on a knife that didn't exhibit it, and synthetics like Delrin will still look just like smooth, pore-less plastic under magnification. Also, dyed & polished bone usually has some translucent 'depth' to it, in a appearance (like looking into water), while the Delrin/synthetic will be more opaque.

You could also lightly poke/prick the 'bone' side (if you think it is) with the tip of a needle (or a shaving-sharp knife edge), and compare to the same test on the other side. Using the magnifier again, look for the indent/mark left behind. Delrin will always be indented/scratched by this; bone almost never will (if done lightly, of course). Also, under the needle tip or knife edge, it'll more likely slide or slip on bone, but it'll grab/hang in the delrin pretty easily.

Bottom line, in a visual inspection, it's virtually impossible for the differences to hide under very BRIGHT light with a magnifier.


David

 

[SubSpace]

Thank you, David. I am almost 100% certain the mark side is bone. I will attempt your suggestions to verify if the pile side is as well. Amazing how much of a quality product Delrin is if it's so difficult to distinguish!