Pearl Handled 303 - were these Special Project Knives ?

[sitflyer]

I found one in a flea market about a year back and balked...shoulda grabbed it but finally got one "fishing"last week.
It's got some honest use marks, and a small crack in the pearl, but otherwise cleaned up quite well...the edges of the main and sheepsfoot each had a small chip...

So I went back in the catalog for that year and didn't find them...
Who were they made for?
I'm assuming they were made in relatively small numbers, as they don't show up all that often.
Anyone out there like these, and possibly have any info on them?

Thanx for looking!

 

[mobenzowner]

Cant be any help on the info, but i certainly do like the knife. It definitely cleaned up well. In fact that's an understatement.

 

[oregon]

Sidebar: Your post brings up a long-term question of mine. What is meant by "pearl?"

Is it always Nacre, oyster shell or can it be synthetic? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nacre

I've never held a Nacre-scaled knife nor a synthetic shell-scaled knife. Is it quite obvious which is which?

Does a Nacre scale take extreme care and feeding procedures or is it robust and reliable over time and use?

 

[Plumberdv]

Here's a quote from 300Bucks regarding the knife. They don't show up in the special projects list probably because they were a Walmart exclusive. Mine has the 2002 (anvil) stamp.

"ITE,

They are called Polypearl scaled. Were specical runs for Walmart. (Thanks Tin for your correction) You will find them date stamped 2002 and 2003. The odd ones, like those below all seemed to be dated 03 and only pure white have the anvil stamp. I have a possible sample or salesman sample with white on one side and grey on the other. That sounds high class but its probably just a fubar. (You know how Friday afternoon just drags on and on..ha).

Haven't heard anyone talk much about scales coming off so they must have used good glue......the black is my fav but the white is more 'classic' color....... If anyone can remember were they boxed or clampacked I would appreciate knowing..............300Bucks"

Link to the thread:http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...l)-Mother-of-Pearl-inlays?highlight=pearl+303

 

[sitflyer]

Oregon, I believe this to be synthetic, it feels like acrylic to my fingers...
I do have a couple of Black Lip pearl knives( non Bucks ) but only will carry them in a slip. My biggest fear with them is dropping on a hard surface as that is likely to cause a crack if they hit hard enough...

 

[sitflyer]

Thank You Plumberdv! :thumbup:

 

[300Bucks]

Yes, I believe Acrylic is the material. Same stuff as carried by knife making suppliers. Don't EDC one but have had a couple for 10 years and scales still tight. 300

I like the anvil stamp, but its hard to photograph a knife with different scales on each side. Should have used mirrors. I have seen all white anvil tang stamps.

Same knife but back side.

There is a certain attitude about a pearl handled knife and a chrome plated revolver.....

 

[sitflyer]

Thank you for the info and wonderful photos 300!
I really like the looks of these in the pearl scales