Thanks Chris & Rod,

That's what I couldn't figure - the date didn't seem to match up with AGM (2004 - 2008). And Chris, the seller called it "Gold Micarta", so I guess who knows, but I do like it also...

Hey...Everyone:
I find this interesting and pertinent to this topic. Although this nice old Morseth hunter isn't a Randall, it is quite appropriately made at the right time and with the right stuff, i.e.: Old Yeller.
A customer brought this to me a couple of weeks ago, just to have it appraised. When I drew the knife out of the sheath I immediately said: "Uh huh...Old Yeller...and that God-awful fading and darkening". He asked me what I was talking about. He's a good guy, an avid hunter and fisherman...and "NEVER" noticed this?!/'#+*!???
Can you folks pick out the "tell-tale" sign?
Best, Capt. Chris

Oof ...

The micarta is darker on the butt end. Specifically the section of the handle that sticks out of the sheath.

Can you believe the guy didn't notice that? Wow! Anyway: I hope to have a nice "before-n-after" photo once I get it taken care of. Folks: Don't store your knives in their sheaths..and don't leave one side facing the sun!
Rod: This should interest you. We often see a whole side of a knife darker than the other, but this one side is "two-toned
! It should interest you because:
* Not only is the exposed side darker..."BUT"...(There's that word again)...
* Notice how the laminations seem to fade and blend together. "Obviously the same piece of micarta, but might help you understand (visually) how your one model #5 seemed to be something "other" than Old Yeller.
Hope this helps everyone readily see what we have been talking about.
Best, Capt. Chris

?? What's going to take place with it?
Is someone going to "try" and make that handle look equal?

Mike,
Yes, exactly. That's the plan!
Best, Capt. Chris

"Notice how the laminations seem to fade and blend together. "Obviously the same piece of micarta, but might help you understand (visually) how your one model #5 seemed to be something "other" than Old Yeller".

Capt, reference your quote above, I accept yellow micarta changes with exposure to light. Is it your "guess" that the different color micarta on my Model 5 with the scalloped spacer, is not Old Yellow? Not that it really matters to me one way or the other.

It will be interesting to see how much material he has to remove before he gets into the lighter material.

Rod,
The knife is old yeller. The grain changes, in appearance, over time with the darkening..."plus"...micarta cut from different lots or on different sides would explain yours looking...well...different!
Mike,
I though I would let James-N-Crew have a go of it. We'll see. If it works out well. It may very well be a solution for folks that have an old Randall in ivorite that has been darkened on 1 side only.
Best, Capt. Chris