My favorite material.....here's some paper Westinghouse.....only displayed on the stand for this photo and then put back into total darkness to preserve the pale look.

Buck, Doug & Rod,
Thanks for your photos.
Buck: The "IM" stands for "ivorite micarta" and it is in Scott's handwriting. It is, most probably, the white crap used "after" the Westinghouse supplies were exhausted and prior to the "new" Ivorite, which is far...far better.
The Bearcamp #33 is similar to mine, i.e. the white crap. I cannot find the time to take photos of my setup right now as my photo ability is "torn down" right now, due to a commitment at the Randall shop yesterday. Soon, I promise.
Doug: Nice knife, as is Wally's. The more I study all of this the more & more one conclusion keeps popping into my head. How about this "Captain's Theory". There are "several reasons" for the Old Yeller turning...well...Yeller. We know that exposure to light and heat effect it. How about: Reason #2: It's made of "paper" and we all know that paper, unlike linen, turns darker with age.
If you find an old newpaper that has been left to the elements the damage is obvious. Take the same paper and preserve it in a tight container and un-exposed to light, etc. and it preserves far far better!
Just sayin',
Capt. Chris
PS: Yep...A good thread...CCS

I think your theory does hold water Captain....I noticed in the Randall museum that a number of their Westinhouse knives had turned a light brown color (or maybe tan would be a better description)...maybe the result of being displayed in the sunlight for many years.

Could someone possibly associate some dates or time frames with the shop supply of the Old Yeller, AGM, "white crap" ivorite, and current (better) ivorite? Thanks. Excellent thread by the way.

Jim E.

You are correct Rick Bowles showed a picture of the little bear bowie that I got from you to me. It was white when he was finished with it and had yellowed over time. He told me he could only scrim the paper micarta.

Good mileage keep pouring!

Jim E

I think AGM was offered 2004-2008 or so.

Old yellow was first offered early 1970's and I have no idea how long it was offered. Now after doing some re-reading on these Forums I came up with this: The rule of thumb has always been that the material Bo settled on, Westinghouse Ivorite, became available if requested sometime in 1974-1975 or so.


You don't mention Delrin, but again, my guess is mid 60's for a start date.

Can't help you with Ivorite and Ivory Micarta.

Regarding the Captain's Theory (above), there is yet another variable. The quality of the paper may influence the degree of color change. The cheaper the paper (for instance, newsprint), the more it discolors with age. Better grades of paper don't change color as much.
This is a really great thread and I am enjoying it very much!
- -Buckspen

The 2 shots below illustrate handle questions I've had since owning the knife. The seller said he bought the knife in ~1998 from the original Randall dealer, and he thought it was "near-new" at that time (he was adamant about the date...).

He also said the contrast in the handle coloring had not changed over time - i.e., it came that way from the dealer, and had always been stored away from sunlight in a display case.

I'm certainly no expert, but I've thought the handle was actually AGM; however, I can't reconcile that assumption with what the seller said - any thoughts as to what's really the case?

The date's about right. I think I had these guys made after that, but about that time. This stuff is "neither AGM...Nor...Old Yeller". I assumed it was as well, as I was sold the same bill of goods as others were about this stuff. The laminations are way different..."BUT"...I like it! I still have one of the 3 I had made. These is the only pics I have here at Jerrys. (Old computer)
I think some kind of a yellow/gold micarta, but nothing the shop has used.
Hope this helps, Capt. Chris

Bob

No one is confirming, or contradicting my dates, but I am pretty sure AGM was only used 2004-2008 or so.