All About Pocket Knives

of the two styles of handles (that I know of) on folders, one with solid bolsters with a material in the middle... the other sheet metal with a hollow back and crimped on...

which one is referred to as "scales" or "shells?

someone clarify this for me.

The shell knife is the sheetmetal knife, sometimes all metal, but often with a thin strip of celluloid used as handle material. Made famous in the U.S.A. by Imperial.

I would say scales are really the sides of the folding knife where adornments are attached to complete solid handle knives.

Bill

Edited: for clarity... As Mossdancer has made me think, I believe the more correct term for these adornments (such as bone, stag, etc.) would be the covers, and not really scales themselves...though often referred to as such in conversation.
I've taken most of this information from Ben Kelley Jr.'s book on Pocketknife Repair.

Thanks Lobo. Keeps me from feelin like a dummy.