Another Bone or Delrin question

[Railsplitter]

What do you folks think? Looks like Delrin to me but I'm not sure.

Was Delrin even invented yet? Does the shield give any clues?

All serious questions. Thanks for your help.

[big monk]

according to Steve's book,Case didn't use Delrin till 1967 -- most of the Delrin knives are 70's and later --

[gsmith7158]

Looks like bone from here! The shield is correct for XX era.

[Railsplitter]

Thanks guys. I thought I had read somewhere that Delrin was used later but I couldn't remember when.

I appreciate the help.

[jerryd6818]

It's always been difficult to tell the difference between bone and Delrin on some knives, especially Case knives between 1967 and 1975 and most especially from a picture.

To eliminate all doubt, you really need one of these. (Can be had on eBay for less than two dollars.) https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... pe&_sop=15

Use the microscope to look for the haversian canals in the bone (little dots indicating blood vessels). All the old synthetics and Delrin will have a smooth even appearance.

Don't waste your money on these. They're worthless.

[Railsplitter]

Good stuff Jerry. Thank you.

I don't have one of those microscopes but I do have a 30X microscope that I can use with the aid of a flashlight. I'll give that a whirl and report back here after supper.

[Railsplitter]

Well by golly, that sure did the trick! The microscope did indeed eliminate all doubt. It's definitely bone. I put a known Delrin knife under the microscope too just to be sure.

Now that I know what those canals and imperfections look like under magnification, I can see them with the naked eye if I shine a bright light on the bone.

This knife will be a gift if the person I'm offering it to will accept. I know he wants bone and not Delrin so this was very helpful.

Many thanks!

[knifeaholic]

Bone, no question.

Case did not use delrin on any XX stamped knife. In fact even the smooth composition handles of that period (white, yellow, black) were not delrin but were some other type of plastic.

[steve99f]

That 31 jack is a nice gift to receive, I'm sure the intended recipient will be pleased.