All About Pocket Knives

Can someone shed some light on this for me, I have seen older case knives, many of the tested era, advertised as Greenbone.
The thing is some look black, some look like a brownish red, and others look brown. None look green to me. Is it named after a person named Green?
Just wonderin' Thanks!

I don't know if I'm using the correct verbiage, but true Case Greenbone has a slight, overall "hue" of green. Many people refer to Case knives as Greenbone just because it's green, but the real ones do have that green color in them despite appearing different colors.

Maybe someone here that owns one will post some close-up photos in good light to where you can really see it.

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Mike

Green bone can indeed look very different from knife to knife. It's really just a name that was coined by collectors of old case knives. There is a subtle green tint to the dye that was used for these mostly tested era knives, but due to the nature of bone not all handles accept the dye in the same fashion also other factors like light, humidity and use can and do affect the appearance of the handles. In the end it is really a very subjective term and different people have different opinions about the actual color.
It's just one of those things you have to form your own opinion about and roll with it.

Here are some of mine that I consider to be classic green bone. Going from top to bottom you can see how use and other aging affects the color.

Aside from the very valid points Greg raised, you should account for how different people perceive colored objects. I know I have color acuity issues.

Some will call a knife green bone that is not because green bone is more valuable.

gsmith7158 wrote:Here are some of mine that I consider to be classic green bone.

I want this one...

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Mike

Greg has posted some good examples. Larry - jlw257 - has accumulated a very fine collection of old, legitimate greenbone knives. Recommend you go to his profile, click on "view posts" and enjoy.

I would add that in addition to color perception of the. Human eye it is very difficult to capture subtle colors in photographs. The best way to learn what greenbone is, is go to a show and get a knowledgeable dealer or collector to let you look at them. There's no substitute for seeing it in-hand.

Ken

Mumbleypeg wrote:Greg has posted some good examples. Larry - jlw257 - has accumulated a very fine collection of old, legitimate greenbone knives. If recommend you go to his profile, click on "view posts" and enjoy.

I would add that in addition to color perception of the. Human eye it is very difficult to capture subtle colors in photographs. The best way to learn what greenbone is, is go to a show and get a knowledgeable dealer or collector to let you look at them. There's no substitute for seeing it in-hand.

Ken

Ken, you are soooo right! I had the privilege of seeing several green bone Case at the CKKC show in Lexington last year. They are very cool, and can be quite pricey nowadays. I saw a Tested era hawkbill in green bone yesterday at one of my pickin holes and the handles were amazing! The blade was badly worn and the dealer, I'm pretty sure, was on crack... ...his price was waaaay off.

Green bone...yes, amazing! That's why I'm searching for single and double blade slimline trappers in old green bone.

Mumbleypeg wrote:Greg has posted some good examples. Larry - jlw257 - has accumulated a very fine collection of old, legitimate greenbone knives. Recommend you go to his profile, click on "view posts" and enjoy.

I would add that in addition to color perception of the. Human eye it is very difficult to capture subtle colors in photographs. The best way to learn what greenbone is, is go to a show and get a knowledgeable dealer or collector to let you look at them. There's no substitute for seeing it in-hand.

Ken

Great examples Greg

Thanks Ken, it’s hard to tell the colors of handles from pictures. Color variations are common in all types of handles. Going to Knives shows, seeing and holding a wonderful old Greenbone will take all the guess work out.

Slimtrap48, the 61048 and the 62048 are some of my favorite patterns.

gsmith7158 wrote:Here are some of mine that I consider to be classic green bone. Going from top to bottom you can see how use and other aging affects the color.

Not the hijack the thread, but that is an excellent line up of green bone specimens.

Thanks for posting. Makes me want some green bone!

XX Case XX wrote:

gsmith7158 wrote:Here are some of mine that I consider to be classic green bone.

I want this one...

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Mike

Hey Mike that's a great old Muskrat I got several years ago. Thanks for the compliment.

Tony_Wood wrote:

gsmith7158 wrote:Here are some of mine that I consider to be classic green bone. Going from top to bottom you can see how use and other aging affects the color.

Not the hijack the thread, but that is an excellent line up of green bone specimens.

Thanks for posting. Makes me want some green bone!

Tony that stuff is addictive. You sure can't stop at one!

When your selling, it's green one. When your buying it's not. That is until you own it.

I was going to ask this question myself, so I am glad someone else did. From what you all are saying a seller should be careful about using the term “green bone” unless he knows for sure that it qualifies. Especially since they are getting to be pricy.
Mark

I guess what I'm saying is when guys are selling they use "greenbone" when it's just not.
The same with "redbone".
A lot of times (at least to me) it's just dyed bone.
It also applies when sellers call other manufacturers handles "greenbone".
To me "greenbone" only applies to older Case knives.
FIRE AWAY!!

edge213 wrote:I guess what I'm saying is when guys are selling they use "greenbone" when it's just not.
The same with "redbone".
A lot of times (at least to me) it's just dyed bone.
It also applies when sellers call other manufacturers handles "greenbone".
To me "greenbone" only applies to older Case knives.
FIRE AWAY!!

What he said!

Ken