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Bone or Delrin?

I'm looking for some opinions on this old Robeson Scout pattern #642214.

Here's the deal -- I honestly can't figure out whether the scales on this knife are bone or delrin? Now I am asking you to help me decide based upon the following photographs that were taken today outdoors with a mostly cloudy sky. I believe that I have provided enough pics from different angles to help you reach a reasonable conclusion based upon your knowledge and experience of knives and various handle materials.

So, take a look and tell me what you think.

Bone or Delrin?

Is it Bone or is it Delrin?

I am inviting educated guesses as well as wild speculation. Don't be shy. Jump right in and let me know what your thoughts are or how a scientific determination can be reached.

Let the games begin!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steven Matthew on January 28, 2013 at 22:06

I've tested mine that were in question with a needle and a stove top flame.

always worked for me. Heat that needle and place the tip to the scale.

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on January 29, 2013 at 2:56

Wow that IS strange Ron. I tried with my knives and I can see "grain" or texture on the bone knives, and the delrin has no "grain" or texture! Hmmm, alien plastic? LOL!

You can always try the hot pin trick in an out of the way not noticeable place....like that bottom corner where it looks like there's a space between the bolster and the handle.

Ron Cooper said:

After reading Craig's response I first looked at it under a magnifying glass with a 5X power. That revealed nothing conclusive. So then I brought out a loupe with a 10X magnification. Still nothing conclusive. So I then grabbed another loupe that has a power of 15X and carefully scrutinized both sides of the knife. And finally, voila! Da da -- Nothing! I kept swinging back and forth between bone and delrin -- delrin and bone? Stumped! So now with the 15X loupe in my hand I start grabbing knives from my collection. Knives that I know what the various handle materials are. I began making comparisons. And, after looking at several knives, each of which had either bone or delrin scales, I have arrived at the inescapable conclusion that I may never know, with any degree of certainty, what this knife has for handles: Bone or Delrin?

Here's the good news, though. I picked this knife up in a fleabay auction for $22 and I feel like I have already had at least $100 in entertainment, alone. Plus, I still have a semi-cool and very mysterious Scout knife. So, I feel like I'm way ahead of the game and regard myself a winner. Maybe one day I'll grab a pin, heat it up to red hot and poke this bad boy somewhere that the sun don't shine? Not today, though. I'm flat-out done trying to figure this riddle out. At least for now. I still welcome any and all guesses and opinions. Maybe one of you can persuade me one way or the other? But as it stands now we have about as many of you that feel it's bone as we do that feel it's delrin. *scratches head & shrugs shoulders * D'oh!