Westinghouse yellow micarta
- Thread starter j22knife
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It's actually white when new(it was paper Micarta). It turns yellow with age and exposure to varying chemicals(oil, body and petroleum based, sun, salt water, WD40, etc.) . It's more of an orange yellow lke very old Ivory,. Not unpleasent at all. Early Al Mar folders from the late 70's early 80's used this material also, for scales. I have two of them. The boxed one is still white. The one I carry is dark yellow.
Some knifemakers got together years ago and figured they could pressure Westinghouse into making this stuff that would stay pure white all the time(only God knows why). Westinghouse just quit making it altogether as knifemakers weren't a pimple on their ass, and they had thought of discontinuing the stuff due to lagging sales anyway.
For some reason the stuff is more toxic than regular Micarta when worked without protection.
BTW, it's almost impossible to find anymore unless you run across someone that has an old stash.
Some knifemakers got together years ago and figured they could pressure Westinghouse into making this stuff that would stay pure white all the time(only God knows why). Westinghouse just quit making it altogether as knifemakers weren't a pimple on their ass, and they had thought of discontinuing the stuff due to lagging sales anyway.
For some reason the stuff is more toxic than regular Micarta when worked without protection.
BTW, it's almost impossible to find anymore unless you run across someone that has an old stash.
Thanks Mike,
Actually, there is someone with a stash.
I'm having a custom knife made with blue G10 handles and thinly sliced "Westinghouse yellow micarta" as liner material. I know what blue G10 looks like. I think only a bright yellow (to go with the bright blue) would look good (if a tad gaudy...).
From what you're saying, I can't be sure what color the liner will be. Initally or later!
I don't suppose you have a photo of the material?
Actually, there is someone with a stash.
I'm having a custom knife made with blue G10 handles and thinly sliced "Westinghouse yellow micarta" as liner material. I know what blue G10 looks like. I think only a bright yellow (to go with the bright blue) would look good (if a tad gaudy...).
From what you're saying, I can't be sure what color the liner will be. Initally or later!
I don't suppose you have a photo of the material?
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- Mar 22, 2001
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Sheffield Knifemakers Supply has an antique ivory paper Micarta that very much resembles the old Westinghouse stuff after it had aged some. Here's what it looks like...
This doesn't seem to yellow any further with age.
This doesn't seem to yellow any further with age.
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2004
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Westinghouse stopped making the micarta because they had to since it contained asbestos. A slab of the stuff is worth a lot and I know custom pool cue makers would pay top dollars for a decent slab of it.
Hello Brett,
That's not a bad yellow, as long as it doesn't get any more pale than that. The blue of "Imp" in your photo is just like the G10. What I'm trying to get is something like UCLA colors:
http://uclabruins.cstv.com/index-main.html
Maybe I can get the knife maker to take a photo of the yellow Micarta and send it to me.
Thanks