Nomenclature question.

dewman · Post by **dewman** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 4:56 pm

Is it "scales" or "handles" when refering to the material used to form the part that touches the hands when handling the knife? Don't want to be calling it one thing when I should be using the proper nomenclature.

Gunsmoke47 · Post by **Gunsmoke47** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:18 pm

Don't know the proper lingo...... but I myself, would know what you meant if you used either!

Good question as I have heard scales and handles used with equal enthusiasm! Kelley

El Lobo · Post by **El Lobo** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 5:26 pm

Good Question!!

MOSSDANCER and I had this discussion some time ago.
Here are my observations from the past 40 or so years of enjoying knives... since you asked...

In the past, scales referred to the two slabs attached to the tang of an open tang fixed blade. Or, the part of a folding knife frame where the covers or handles were attached.
Nowadays, it seems like scales has become intermixed with handles and covers to mean the handle material as well.

Here is a breakdown of a Schrade Old Timer, where the center liner is referred to as the center scale...

Sorry that may not've been much help.

Bill