Rivington "bugged-out"-

[Colonel666]

Many people see "jigging" on knife handles. Alots of different patterns with a natural "aged" appearance (Example: worm groove). My question is "What do these worms/bugs look like close up?" Also, can there be dorment eggs still inside? If it is possible to kill the eggs, how? Certainly don't want to damage the handle material doing this. Below is a photo that is "bugged-out":

[reddirtknives]

I think "Worm Grooved" is a stylized jigging pattern and not literally done by worms but I'm usually wrong whenever I chime in. As for the critters that feed and nest in knife handle materials I have only read about the one that is usually carried in on flowers or maybe produce. I think it is the larva that does the eating and usually it wants to feed on horn so if you think you have some live critters feeding on 1 knife you better separate it from all of the other knives or it would become a feeding frenzy throughout your collection. If I knew the link to Mr. Levines (I believe) article I would definitely post it because it was good reading and good information and it could be that time of the year.

[reddirtknives]

Here it is, Very much worth reading...http://www.knife-expert.com/bugs036.txt

[tjmurphy]

These are the same critters that cut the hair on fiddle bows. Good article Red

[knifetime]

Yeah thanks for the post red, that was a very good read.

[reddirtknives]

Thanks guys, I'm just glad I could find it after searching my computer because I thought I had saved it, but nope wasn't there. I would like to thank the colonel for the post and the hot wings from hell and reminding me of this article though long winded as it was I thought it had some entertainment value and the information is of the utmost importance to the collectors of anything made of horn, hair or tortoise shell....

[Colonel666]

Seems that your info on "dermestids" will be amplified with this actual bug that I came across under the plastic handle grips of a recently bought M1905 Springfield Garand bayonet. This "critter" must have crawled into the lug slot and died in there. The person who sold it to me did not know that for sure! Look at the size of it in the photo! Should I flush it, bury it, or have it bronzed?

[reddirtknives]

ummmmm. Do What Thou Will! lol