I’ve been lurking here for a short time and am probably the epitome of a wannabe knife maker. One that has recorded every Forged in Fire episode and periodically run though them when I can. I have done very little “real” research where it really counts like metallurgy and I’m sure you folks could make a long list of other things that I need to learn. Like most, I have many hobbies, some time and a mediocre budget. I have no interest in making a career change to making knives but see myself as becoming a serious hobbyists in the future. I am currently on the loooong list for a North Ridge grinder because I have bit the adage, “Cry once”. Till then, I figure do some homework and possibly take a metallurgy class.
I have recently become interested in one small aspect of building due to the availability and usefulness and that is making micarta (non-phenolic). Micarta got my attention while browsing here because I figured I’d make some scales for my few knives and some pistols but while doing some test runs I came across other uses. First, watching how-to videos I was really unimpressed with using wood for a form/press. So, understanding that HDPE is very good at resisting glues I decided to make a press out of it. I was extremely pleased with how it performed and my first run and it resulted in the tan piece shown. The other day my dang cup holder in my truck broke for the second time and I am frustrated with buying $80 replacements. I made a simple center divider with gray and black burlap measuring 3/4” thick and has met my expectations.
I made the decision to use West System Epoxy due to reading the destructive test by Fendley Knives and seeing the name pop up through my searches. I’m sure many of you already know that this stuff is extremely expensive and this makes pre-manufactured micarta online appealing. Though it is hard to find 3/4” thick material for my odd projects, this thought has me thinking and I have been wondering if it’s really worth the cost. Yeah, I know. Most micarta will withstand the rigors of using a knife but I am a sucker for items built like a tank and I own a Medford Praetorian because of this.
The reason for this post is to feel out to see if there is any interest in a test with real data on this material. I have access to calibrated equipment at work that could give us hard numbers and graph it. My idea is to get the box store polyester resin and compare it with a same size piece made of West System. In this test I could hopefully find a way to measure time, deflection and force. Living in AZ, I could also throw both on the dash of the truck and let em bake for an amount of time to see the effects of UV exposure and run the test again. I should be able to overlay the graphs for a good comparison and I’d be open to some other ideas for a test if there is interest in the community.
I have recently become interested in one small aspect of building due to the availability and usefulness and that is making micarta (non-phenolic). Micarta got my attention while browsing here because I figured I’d make some scales for my few knives and some pistols but while doing some test runs I came across other uses. First, watching how-to videos I was really unimpressed with using wood for a form/press. So, understanding that HDPE is very good at resisting glues I decided to make a press out of it. I was extremely pleased with how it performed and my first run and it resulted in the tan piece shown. The other day my dang cup holder in my truck broke for the second time and I am frustrated with buying $80 replacements. I made a simple center divider with gray and black burlap measuring 3/4” thick and has met my expectations.
I made the decision to use West System Epoxy due to reading the destructive test by Fendley Knives and seeing the name pop up through my searches. I’m sure many of you already know that this stuff is extremely expensive and this makes pre-manufactured micarta online appealing. Though it is hard to find 3/4” thick material for my odd projects, this thought has me thinking and I have been wondering if it’s really worth the cost. Yeah, I know. Most micarta will withstand the rigors of using a knife but I am a sucker for items built like a tank and I own a Medford Praetorian because of this.
The reason for this post is to feel out to see if there is any interest in a test with real data on this material. I have access to calibrated equipment at work that could give us hard numbers and graph it. My idea is to get the box store polyester resin and compare it with a same size piece made of West System. In this test I could hopefully find a way to measure time, deflection and force. Living in AZ, I could also throw both on the dash of the truck and let em bake for an amount of time to see the effects of UV exposure and run the test again. I should be able to overlay the graphs for a good comparison and I’d be open to some other ideas for a test if there is interest in the community.
