OK fellas lets see if I can clear this up.
The correct term is Tiger hide. However the item in question that is being referred to as Tiger Stripe is in fact the same material as Tiger Hide.
Tiger hide micarta is essentially a layered canvas micarta containing black canvas, a tan colored canvas and resin. Now here's where it gets tricky. The tan canvas, with age, can darken. So we can see a variation of tones in the tan canvas which is what is causing the confusion. All tigerhide micarta starts out the same way.
Also as Progunner pointed out, by oiling the handle you can darken the material, and to throw another loop at you guys, I have found that different oils will also produce different shades.
Tigerhide, like any other multi layered material, can and will have varying shades of color. We have the same thing with our snakeskin micarta. With age, oil and depth of grinding or machining you will get many different variations.
This all adds to the mistique of these materials as every knife truelly has its own special look.
I hope this helps clear a little bit of the confusion. Of course I may have just made it worse.
Anyway to sum up this post, Tiger hide and Tiger stripe, as it has been called elsewhere, are the same material however appearance of said material can vary.
Too much typing I need a drink,
Garth
