Finishing Micarta Scales: how and why?

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bearedmonkey

Joined
Nov 23, 2011
Messages
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Since I'm expecting a pair along with a bunch of other bells an whistles :D how/with what do you all finish your micarta scales when you receive them? Beyond aesthetics, what's the point?
 
They will come a bit rough to the touch. 400 grit sand paper makes em buttery smooth. I also oil em. It darkens em up and makes them even smoother. Like grippier and smoother at the same time
 
yeah, I've found 500grit leaves micarta smooth and sweet looking.
120grit or rougher makes micarta grippy without being abrasive. But doesn't look as cool.
 
i just got my micarta in from tomars and the fit and finish is excellent. i thought i might have to clean up the edges but its perfect so i don't have to. LOVE these scales!
 
If you want to bring out the depth of and improve the texture a bit, sand them first then hit them good with some WD-40.
Wipe them off, let them dry 24 hours( so the WD -40 carrier thoroughly evaporates and then put them back on.

Basically, you are flushing out all the dust impeded in the surface.
 
Ahhh, ok now I get the point of the WD-40. Makes sense, I guess: just like wood, micarta has a grain? Sounds like you put on a pretty heavy coat?
 
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Yep, you hose em down pretty good with the stuff especially the side facing outward.. Ray Ennis at Entrek does it to all his finished knives before he ships them. His blades have Black Canvas Micarta scales that are sand blasted and the WD-40 ( or liquid wrench etc) really makes the color pop. I personally would not go over 400 grit on the sanding ,either BTW..

But then again, highly polished and waxed Micatra looks pretty cool ,too.

Decisions, decisions..LOL
 
I should be getting mine tomorrow along with a BK-5. First order of business is strip the coating the BK5 and reprofile it then on the micarta scales. First thing will probably be too reshape the handles too fit me better. After that will be the final finish I even thought about dying them black but I prefer a more natural color. I just need to figure out how to get them back to a natural micarta look.
 
I sanded mine with 400 grit then hit them with several applications of some walnut stain I had from a gun stock refurb. Darkened them to a more natural color. I'm digging it. Putting them on a BK 9 I've had about two hours now and already stripped. I'm apparently not smart enough to post pics from my phone or I'd show it off.
 
I sanded mine with 120 the grip was nice and gave a two toneish finish.

DSC00631.jpg


Oh! and I died them with wood stain of which i HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT DOING!!

rit dye is what I will use next.
 
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jim62 said:
Yep, you hose em down pretty good with the stuff especially the side facing outward.. Ray Ennis at Entrek does it to all his finished knives before he ships them. His blades have Black Canvas Micarta scales that are sand blasted and the WD-40 ( or liquid wrench etc) really makes the color pop. I personally would not go over 400 grit on the sanding ,either BTW..

But then again, highly polished and waxed Micatra looks pretty cool ,too.

Decisions, decisions..LOL
Click to expand...

Waxing them?! Oh no, just what I need -- another decision! Anyone got pics of waxed micarta on a Becker?
 
I didn't like the color of the ones I got from Tomars so I did just about everything to darken them, clothing dye, leather dye etc.

It was fun fooling with them.
 
daizee said:
yeah, I've found 500grit leaves micarta smooth and sweet looking.
120grit or rougher makes micarta grippy without being abrasive. But doesn't look as cool.
Click to expand...
This may sound stupid but wouldn't you want the handles to be a little rough to get a good grip on them and not smooth?
 
I polished the ones on my BK2 but did not do anything to the ones on my BK11. After carrying it for someone time they have worn down smoother naturally and I like then better now.

New:
Handles1.jpg


Now:
P1020061.jpg
 
So many great looking scales! Well, guess I'll have a lot to think about come next Tuesday or Wednesday. Of course no sooner do I buy that BK10, I log onto c----'slist and find the exact CB 900 I've been looking for. Emailed it to my dad and he writes back, "Think seriously about the message you're sending ------ (gf) about how serious you are about your future together by buying all these toys lately. Do you really think it's wise to sink a bunch more money into another toy right now? What is she going to think about that?" He signs off with, "And remember, I've loved motorcycles all my life." Gah! Why can't women think like men?!
 
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Cowboy that's a huge difference! What grit/type of oil did you use. Think I've got some linseed sitting around somewhere...
 
real light 400 grit and manly the edges and rough spots. oil is just plain gun oil. I think linseed would be fine just a little bit rubbed in.
 
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