Denim Micarta

kaput

kaput

Joined
Mar 17, 2016
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I have a few Northwoods knives in denim micarta. I really really am fond of the look (and feel for that matter). But, I had oiled a couple of the blades to store and the mineral oil seeped into the handle materials darkening the nice light worn denim look they initially had.

Is there anyway to reverse this and or lighten the denim micarta scales?

I could darken them entirely for a dark denim look, but would prefer if possible to have the really light with white highlight looking denim back.

I thought of a hair dryer, or alcohol prep pads? I just don't want to cause any further damage or affects.

Please help ;) thanks!
 
Though I hope to remedy it someday, I have no denim micarta knives - so please take this thought with a grain of salt.

What if you placed it in oil absorbent? I'm not sure if it's strong enough to pull the oil from other materials, but I don't think it would do anything harmful to the knife.

I'm hoping someone with a tried and true method comes through for you. Best of luck!
 
I have some GEC Burlap micarta that was well worn and then got wet looking and new with some oil, and then got the worn look again after use.

I'd just put that knife right back in your pocket and keep using it.
 
Toothbrush and Dawn soap.

I've been thinking about some bleach drops for character. As the denim wears it frays like jeans.
 
HST said:
Toothbrush and Dawn soap.

I've been thinking about some bleach drops for character. As the denim wears it frays like jeans.
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That's a cool idea. I'd love to see someone try it wink wink ;)

Do you know that dawn and dish soap works?

Thanks

Danke42 said:
I have some GEC Burlap micarta that was well worn and then got wet looking and new with some oil, and then got the worn look again after use.

I'd just put that knife right back in your pocket and keep using it.
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The one in question is not a user specifically.

So really trying to reverse the oil absorption in the micarta I suppose.

But I like your angle ;)
 
I have a GEC in natural canvas micarta and pretty much did the same thing. It ended up on my fingers, which then ended up on the handle. I use mineral oil in the springs and on the actual blades of all of my carbon steel. It went back to normal on its own within a couple of days. This particular knife gets carried in a leather slip and I just put it back in my pocket. I can't guarantee that'll happen with your denim micarta, but I assume it will. What kind of oil were you using?
 
kaput said:
That's a cool idea. I'd love to see someone try it wink wink ;)

Do you know that dawn and dish soap works?

Thanks


The one in question is not a user specifically.

So really trying to reverse the oil absorption in the micarta I suppose.

But I like your angle ;)
Click to expand...
Like Fire Beard said it goes back to looking worn pretty quick.
 
Sabercat said:
Though I hope to remedy it someday, I have no denim micarta knives - so please take this thought with a grain of salt.

What if you placed it in oil absorbent? I'm not sure if it's strong enough to pull the oil from other materials, but I don't think it would do anything harmful to the knife.

I'm hoping someone with a tried and true method comes through for you. Best of luck!
Click to expand...

From experience I can tell you that oil dry (AKA "Kitty Litter") can pull old oil stains out of a concrete floor. It may take a week or more, but it will do it.
That being the case, I would think it could pull the oil out of a kinfe handle.
It would probably be a regal royal pain in the Heineken to clean the knife afterwards though. And you'd likely have to re-lube the joints, too.

All things considered, I think the Dawn Dish Soap applied with a rag or cloth and then rinsed might be a better way to go.
Dawn does remove/neutralize cooking oils and grease.
 
HST said:
Toothbrush and Dawn soap.

I've been thinking about some bleach drops for character. As the denim wears it frays like jeans.
Click to expand...

I'm ok with my Denim handles turning darker with use but this fraying that you speak of concerns me. I would be very interested in seeing a photo of a frayed Denim knife handle if anyone has one.
 
Baby wipes. Really, I've used them on my Northwoods and two homemade denim micarta handles, works great. If you want even lighter, a little rubbing alcohol works well too. I've used Clorox bleach wipes as well. You can't really hurt the micarta so just about anything works.
 
Most baby wipes contain alcohol, that is probably the ingredient that is doing the cleaning. I would go with straight rubbing alcohol myself.
 
Railsplitter Railsplitter I'll post it, when I get back to it, but I'm out right now.

kaput kaput I use an old toothbrush with dawn soap to clean all knives. Get the nano-oil with its needle application and this won't be your problem again. Not saying there still won't be extra, but it won't over oil. I'm an MD, so YMMV - I use needles all the time, so I find it concise. You could even get an inter-muscular needle and use another oil.

I hard used Denim micarta all summer, when the Esky Zulus came out. It looked worn in comparison to new. I wouldn't call it rips - like in couture - but the texture changed and light fraying happened. I have never used another slippie that hard, so I have nothing to compare it to or another hard used Denim Micarta for that matter. It's possible that this only happened to that one and it was the first run of Denim Micarta from KSF. I found the light 'fraying' character, IMO.

I use Denim Micarta as my go to in any pattern from Northwoods. I love the stuff.
 
HST said:
Railsplitter Railsplitter I'll post it, when I get back to it, but I'm out right now.

kaput kaput I use an old toothbrush with dawn soap to clean all knives. Get the nano-oil with its needle application and this won't be your problem again. Not saying there still won't be extra, but it won't over oil. I'm an MD, so YMMV - I use needles all the time, so I find it concise. You could even get an inter-muscular needle and use another oil.

I hard used Denim micarta all summer, when the Esky Zulus came out. It looked worn in comparison to new. I wouldn't call it rips - like in couture - but the texture changed and light fraying happened. I have never used another slippie that hard, so I have nothing to compare it to or another hard used Denim Micarta for that matter. It's possible that this only happened to that one and it was the first run of Denim Micarta from KSF. I found the light 'fraying' character, IMO.

I use Denim Micarta as my go to in any pattern from Northwoods. I love the stuff.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information, HST. I'm hoping that a photo might help calm my worries about the fraying. Your post above has already helped but I'm still concerned. It's probably not as bad as the picture I have in my head. Hope so anyway.
 
Railsplitter said:
I'm ok with my Denim handles turning darker with use but this fraying that you speak of concerns me. I would be very interested in seeing a photo of a frayed Denim knife handle if anyone has one.
Click to expand...

Several of the TC BF knife photos posted had, what looked to be, some raw ends showing. I haven't had a fraying issue with any older knives with canvas micarta.
 
Some knife makers use a very thin coating of super glue to seal the wires on lightning strike carbon fiber. I don't know if I would try it though.
 
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Some hard use denim mycarta. Or what happens when you and your younger brother are bored on Thanksgiving morning and the girls are cooking.

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Seriously I'd try the Dawn as suggested. Hope that helps. As a maker I'm big on car wax as a protectant.
 
Railsplitter Railsplitter

IMG_0104.JPG

I may have cleaned that up a bit, but I really don't remember. IIRC, there was a thread or three loose. Before I slathered it in mineral oil after cleaning, I bet I tidied it up before storage.
 
You can see the dark that's mineral oiled well and the "fraying" is dry. I assume that's the "Way she goes." Hope it helps. I actually like it that way but have yet to have it happen again. I used that knife for 3 months straight and it was my only knife. I have it no quarter.
 
Thanks HST HST

It doesn't look bad at all. Just a little wear around the edges. Something I hadn't considered but I won't worry too much about it now. It does have an attractive look to it like a pair of old jeans.
 
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