Second cut bone?

R

robertj298

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Mar 7, 2014
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I've noticed some of the case knives use second cut bone. Can someone tell me what the difference is between this and first cut bone? Is it any better or worse? Thanks Bob
 
Assuming that bone is labeled the same as stag it would just be the layer of bone under the top layer. Not sure that it is any better or worse when dealing with bone. Might not look quite as good perhaps but there are always exceptions like with Charlies third cut stag I think some of those examples look amazing.
 
Could it refer to the pattern as opposed to jigged or smooth bone for example? Ive got a crimson russlock second cut on the way.we shall see.
 
I believe meako is correct. I recall when Case introduced it they described it as echoing the cut look of second cut stag, sort of how "stag bone" is jigged to look like first cut stag.
 
yeah I think it resembles the appearance rather than being the same process as actual second cut stag antler. I was intrigued by it plus a desire for a new case russlock with drop point.
 
`Right here it is -just turned up today.:) Crimson second cut bone. Its definitely to do with the jigging pattern. The bone is perfect. I was expecting the crimson to be a bit brighter but this is a classy looking little knife. I especially like the chunky little drop point blade.
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They did a good job on the dye with that one.

I've got a couple of the Second Cut Antique Bone knives from a few years ago that look very nice:

 
robertj298 said:
I've noticed some of the case knives use second cut bone. Can someone tell me what the difference is between this and first cut bone? Is it any better or worse? Thanks Bob
Click to expand...

It has always been my understanding that many years ago the "second cut" was established as the less desirable cut from the bone. With bone, the farther away you get from the marrow, the less porous it is, and the less vein holes the bone will have. Also, it is inherently harder. Apparently as per CASE's website, they have adopted it as a pattern/color/type of scale.

Bearing that in mind, recall the old knives such as Barlows that were a working man's knives that were advertised in the old ads as having "second cut" bone on them. I have a 30's vintage Barlow Keen Kutter that has second cut bone scales and they didn't even buff out the saw blade marks. Likewise, the same effect was tried with the Dan Burke Barlow I have where they left the saw marks on them as well. You cannot see them due to the poor photos, but in person you can EASILY se the marrow holes on the DB's scales. I lightened these up a lot so you could see (hopefully!) the saw blade marks left on the scales.



Second cut bone is usually stained, dyed, heavily jigged, burned, and sometimes stabilized to make up for its shortcomings in appearance and possible weakness.

First cut bone can be nearly flawless. Check out this AGR Wharncliff with smooth bone handles. You can see that it is just now starting to amber a bit after about year or two of carrying from sweat, coins and a bit of age. But when I got it, the bone was so perfect I didn't like it as I thought it was plastic!



And of course, more info than can be imagined is here on this forum, so here are some good discussions on this subject and a related subject of second cut stag which is in the same "second cut" wheelhouse:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/898744-GEC-2nd-Cut-Stag-What-exactly-is-it

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/624110-Bone-stag-real-stag

Robert
 
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