Royalty series info request

Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
164
Guys

I picked up a Royalty series 7 1/2" paring knife on a auction site and don't have it in hand yet but it's in a color for that series I'd never seen before its what looks like layers of white and black micarta. Could one of the veteran collectors tell me what that handle color was called and any info on it would be great. I've only ever seen those knives in black or dark maroon micarta handles pryor to this knife. I've been toying with picking up one of these series knives just to play around with Bucks older 440 in the kitchen and when this unusually colored one came available I couldn't resist it.

Thanks in advance for any replies.
 
Can you post a picture? Just guessing but if they have been washed a lot the black fades and turns kinda grayish. The layers then become more prominent.
 
The OP may be referring to this knife.

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sporting, do you know the date of introduction of your Empress Trio paring knife? DM

David that's not mine.The OP stated that he just purchased from an auction site.I saw this on an auction site which was just sold and thought this may be the knife to which the OP was referring.
 
Sporting nailed it that is in fact the one I picked up what color micarta is that or has it simply been washed to the point of loosing it original coloring?
 
That is how they get when washed a lot, probably in a dishwasher. A knife can get washed a lot in 40 years.
That one is extreme to the point of being attractive.
 
I don't think I buy that conclusion. I have seen at shows other complete sets with handles like these and held them, examined them. I did not think they had been run numerous times thru a dishwasher, creating this condition. As there would be brown streaks and other stains. It's just too uniform. I think the micarta was made like this. Perhaps from the use of chemicals the color of the micarta could be changed. Like from bleach. If this occurred it would be the first time I've seen it. I think these are early made Empress Trio models and the micarta was made like this. Buck referred to this material as buckcarta in some early catalogs. DM
 
If dishwashing and chemicals were the culprit then the handels would be deteriorating and they could be rubbed and material would flake off on your hand. DM
 
Gee David, for the very FIRST time we might disagree on something.... thought it would never happen..... ;o)
Now, how do we get the definitive answer, ask Oden or Houser?
 
Larry, hasn't been posting much here but he would know. So, Joe maybe the better avenue to go. And it may take him several days to reply. Should he be gone on a bike trip. Or out away from his office. He has a a life too. Until, then: I'm firmly in the camp of this model Kansas posted a photo of is all Buck. With no damaged handles.
That was the manner some handles came on those models as I've seen this before and it would be too coincidental for several of these knives to come out of 40 years of dish washing and look identical. As dish washing would not change them to be exact. They would be different. So, we'll table this discussion, pending further investigation. DM
 
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It is possible for micarta to fade in a dishwasher, but it will only be surface fading. It is easy to bring out the color, again. However, looking at the pictures it is hard to tell (at least for me) whether this is fading or whether it is the original color. To me, it looks like the original color.
 
Hopefully the little gem will be here this week and I'll be able to tell more with it in hand. Thanks for the input gentlemen
 
I think it may just have been faded that badly. I got it today threw a quick edge on it getting the lite nicks out of the edge. Then I wiped the micarta with a light machine oil the white disappeared to be replaced by a dark grey I almost wish I hadn't wiped it down I really liked the faded look but I'm sure the oil in our hands and never using a dishwasher on the little gem again it would have darkened anyway. The thing that I didn't realize was just how small a knife this little guy is. I may very well be looking much harder for a complete set, I really do like this knife style. I'm surprised the 107 fell out of favor and they quit production after handling this knife.
 
Ok, that sounds plausible. The handle may feel small to you but remember it is from a kitchen set. Buck gave thought to who uses kitchen knives. Plus, the blade on that model is a full 4", so longer than a 110 blade. During my college years I carried a 107 (1976(that knife) on all my deer hunts (TX. whitetail). In 1994 I was gifted a Selector from a Buck Collector and I began carrying that. During that time my 107 field processed (gut, skinned and quartered) many whitetail without a hitch. I never felt like I needed more knife for that size deer. I hope you search for the other 2 models for a complete set. They are top shelf kitchen knives. You and your wife would enjoy them for many years. DM
 
Please post your "after" pictures. It must have been the early Buckarta David mentioned.
 
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