ID on some vintage micarta?

DeadPineKnives

DeadPineKnives

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Nov 25, 2024
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Traded into this linen micarta from a friend in Oregon who says he found it in an antique shop, and estimates it to be from the 60s-70s. It has a bright, sharp smell consistent with other good quality vintage micarta I've used in the past. I originally thought it was solid burgundy but quickly realized it had layers--so, in my excitement, I did a little test piece, sanding up to 400 grit before buffing, and this is the result! It has a pattern of burgundy, red and tan. It's 1/4" thick and works easily, and finishes very nicely.

Assuming this is from the era stated above, who would have made micarta like this, and why? I've heard that micarta was originally used for electrical insulation on aircraft, so I'm not sure why they would make it in colorful patterns, as this was right around the time Loveless was beginning to use micarta, I assume.

Any info would be appreciated! I love micarta and would love to learn more about it, even if no one can get me a positive ID on this stuff or a general idea of what it is and where it came from!

Thanks!

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USA knife maker has some that might resemble it, i have used alot of micarta since the 70s in the machining trade but dont remember any being pretty other than i just thought it stunk. it was all just the butter scotch yellow kind. you do have a pretty piece.
 
Timberjack logger said:
USA knife maker has some that might resemble it, i have used alot of micarta since the 70s in the machining trade but dont remember any being pretty other than i just thought it stunk. it was all just the butter scotch yellow kind. you do have a pretty piece.
Click to expand...

What exactly did they use micarta for back then? I've heard it was electrical insulation or something but I'm not sure.
 
Micarta has been used for all sorts of things, some are decorative, hence the reason for colors. It can be used as electric insulation, machining fixtures, tabletops, knife handles, gears, cart wheels, serving trays, and hundredsof other things.
 
J. Hoffman said:
Micarta has been used for all sorts of things, some are decorative, hence the reason for colors. It can be used as electric insulation, machining fixtures, tabletops, knife handles, gears, cart wheels, serving trays, and hundredsof other things.
Click to expand...

I had no idea that any micarta was made for decorative applications back then! I thought all of it was industrial and for machining.
 
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