Recommendation? Question about Northwoods Micartas

JTB_5

JTB_5

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I recently bought a Big Bay of the Exchange in Red Burlap Micarta. It is a fine example of the knife, but I noticed today after having carried it awhile that there are some strange divots or voids showing up in the micarta. I am curious if anyone else has seen this sort of thing happening with Northwoods micarta (particularly burlap), and if there is anything I ought to do about it.

I've circled several examples of it. They are all over and in no order.

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That's odd. You say they developed? Some form of degradation? But Micarta is tough stuff, possibly burlap 'weave' allows for shrink holes?

Could it be the greatly feared Micarta Weevil? :eek::eek::D

Be interesting to hear if other owners have had these holes appearing.
 
Will Power said:
That's odd. You say they developed? Some form of degradation? But Micarta is tough stuff, possibly burlap 'weave' allows for shrink holes?

Could it be the greatly feared Micarta Weevil? :eek::eek::D

Be interesting to hear if other owners have had these holes appearing.
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Well I didn't notice them when I got the knife, and I can feel the burlap from it being worn down from riding in my pocket (and perhaps in the Northwoods slip?). I don't think the voids were there when the seller sent me the knife.
 
I found the photos from the original seller. It is a user, so I pulled up the original seller's photos to see if the voids were visible on them.

I can't really tell, but maybe a few of them are. I PM'd the seller to see if he noticed them. I also sent a message to KSF to see what they think.

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I don't have any first-hand knowledge, but I have seen voids in the burlap micarta mentioned in threads before.
 
Joshua, I don't know if all Northwoods burlap micarta have the same characteristics, but all the ones I've owned were like yours to varying degrees.
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I have a Fayette Jack, purchased on the Exchange last year; and a Fremont Jack from the odds & ends that KSF listed back in January. No issues with the Fayette. Of the two, I prefer the Fayette.

The pile side of the Fremont has a few small pits in the micarta. It has only been carried a few times. The last two pics are 2x zoom right on top of the knife, it’s really not that bad. The first pic is closer to fair. In hand I need to catch the light to even notice them.

I don’t mind because eventually the Fremont will find its way into my pocket some more (that’s just mineral oil on the blades).

Edit: I’m probably not going to do anything about it. I don’t mind many little imperfections in traditional knives, but if I change my mind, it would likely be as Jeff black mamba black mamba states above.

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Looks like it may just be a cosmetic issue and not anything deteriorating.
 
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Micarta is a matrix held together by a binder that is thermally cured and pressed under heated platens...…. As the binder cures some outgassing occurs that causes small pimples, or voids...….. The size of the voids you show will have no ill affect on the material......
 
JTB_5 said:
Looks like it may just be a cosmetic issue and not anything deteriorating.
Click to expand...

Looks like tiny air pockets in the surface due to the curing process.

As you continue to get surface wear, others may likely appear?

You can use Elmer's white school glue (small dab & wet finger tip) to fill in the surface defects.

After it drys clear use 2000, 2500, 3000 etc sandpaper to smooth/polish the surface by hand.

The resin they use is likely similar to the resin used for cabochons (turquoise, lapis, coral etc).

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It’s my understanding that it is just air pockets from not compacting the micarta enough when it’s made. It is more common in burlap because the looser weave traps more air.
 
Have the same big lake and EDC a Lincoln Jack in Brown micarta. When both were new and there was fibers of burlap here and there protruding from the scales. Those wore off with use but no divot formed. There are some 'high' spots where you can feel the slightest bump fromthe top weave in the burlap but no pits.

I'd guess that since the burlap has larger gaps between the weaves compared to other micarta there could be divots or low spots as well. But don't see them forming suddenly or even over a months time of EDC
 
I have several NW in Micarta and all of mine have these small voids. Without technical talk and short and simple answer. I am sure it is normal and just part of the manufacturing process. For a definite answer, maybe KSF can comment. I just leave them alone and do not feel the need to fill them in.
 
I have to say I don't like the look of these holes or perforations...these are not exactly cheap knives either! OK they can be fixed with filler etc, I wonder if other Burlap displays this tendency? Fiddleback Forge knives use a great deal of Burlap and it can look fantastic, but does it too get the Swiss Cheese effect?;)
 
Making micarta is the same as gluing up boards...… The more you crank up the clamping force the more glue you blow out of the joints.... Too much force and the joints will be starved resulting in weak material..... Too little force and the material will be resin rich but structurally weak from insufficient consolidation.... You strive for a percentage of binder in the layup of the material prior to pressing and cure.... Some outgassing is a normal part of the cure process...…. I doubt that Micarta made for knife handles is held to the same manufacturing standards as micarta for motor and generator applications..... Micarta made for rotating electrical apparatus is subjected to high centrifugal loads, temperature and mechanical forces..... Its manufacture is very highly controlled but also cost an arm & a leg...…...
 
I know nothing about making Micarta, BUT, I do know something about gluing wood (boards). The thinner the layer of adhesive is, the better the bond is. Period. Just wanted to throw that out there.
I have noticed the trapped air bubbles in a lot of the NW Micartas, mainly burlap. It's a little unsightly, but I don't think it affects its durability enough to matter on knife handles.
 
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