Rod, Buck and everyone,
Buck: Your Model #8
Rod: Your knives in ivorite
ALL of these knives are Westinghouse, Ivorite Micarta. ALL of these knives are, what is commonly referred to, "Old Yeller".
ALL of these knives (Yes Buck...Yours too) are "not" linen. Westinghouse Ivorite is a "paper micarta". As far as "Grain"..."Color"..."Darkening"...Etc., Etc.: It varies like the wind! Different cuts, length or bias, etc. along with exposure to: Heat...Cold...Atmosphere...and, most importantly..."LIGHT" are all causes for these variants.
Newer Ivorite, Ivorite micarta, AI, White lineal, etc. vary in formula and base (linen or paper)..."None" are canvas-based...(at least none I have dealt with). The ivory stuff that the shop used after Old Yeller" would check and crack, almost like ivory. I have never seen the severity in their cracking as I have in ivory, but it still happened.
Hope this helps, Capt. Chris
PS: I was at the Randall shop a good portion of the day (closed the joint). It was agreed on amongst "us'ns" there today that my accessment of the handles on Rod's knives (along with Bucks...though later) is correct.
CCS
Just for comparison
#10-3 in White Lineal
#10-3 in Ant. Gold Mic.
#10-3 in Bone Linen
#10-3 in Elephant Ivory