Anybody Ever Use Vulcanized Fiber Liner as Actual Scales?

redsquid2

redsquid2

Rockabilly Interim Pardon Viscount
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Aug 31, 2011
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I am making some neck knives, and I want to just use a very thin scale on them. I found at usaknifemaker.com, a liner that is .093", or 3/32" thick. Sounds just about right.

Anybody done this before?

It might be a couple months, but I'm going to put that material on at least one of my neckers and see how it goes. (They have to go through heat treat first) In fact, I think I will try gluing a few layers of the thin liners together, maybe even alternating colors.

Meanwhile, I appreciate anyone sharing their experience.

Squiddy.
 
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The fiber will absorb water and dirt, etc. I would try the thin G10 liner material for your use.
 
Squid,

I've used the vulcanized liners in the past and still do, and I don't think the will work as well as you'd like. I've had issues with them not holding a bond well (I drill multiple holes through them in areas underneath the scale to get past this), and without an additional mechanical fastener (corby, etc), I wouldn't trust them. I've had delamination issues when gluing multiple layers together as well. They're just really tough to prep to get a great bond, though a great epoxy like acraglas helps.

I think a better option would be ultra-thin G10. Alpha Knife Supply has it in thicknesses down to 1/64" and less in some cases.

http://alphaknifesupply.com/micarta.htm

--nathan
 
Or just use 1/8" micarta or G10 and grind them down. You don't have to remove much before you're at that thickness, so any significant shaping or contouring will have most of it thinner than 3/32".
 
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I agree, don't waste your time with fiber for scales, go with micarta or G10... Heck, stabilized wood would be high up on my list as well. Talk to Mark (burl source) and see what he can do for you... I can get G10 locally in sheets as thin as 3/32" (color is very limited if I buy locally), and you can find it at a couple places online as well. Try what you want, maybe you'll like the fiber as scales, I just don't see it happening! Good luck in your search.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
The fiber will absorb water and dirt, etc. I would try the thin G10 liner material for your use.
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I just thought if I put Tru-oil on it, that would take care of moisture issues?
 
No, Greg, unicorn horn - I think Nick Wheeler has some in his stash... :) J/K

Seriously though, I would use G10 or micarta. As Bill said above, the vulcanized stuff will absorb water and is a B*TCH to get to stay laminated...
 
I wish they would take that vulcanized material off the market as it is not suited for knife use. It swells and contracts worse than anything I've ever used.
 
jawilder said:
I wish they would take that vulcanized material off the market as it is not suited for knife use. It swells and contracts worse than anything I've ever used.
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I agree. You may as well make your own out of construction paper and Elmer's glue, it would probably work about as well.

Micarta or G10 will outlast us all. Aplha Knife Supply is my favorite dealer for that stuff. :thumbup:
 
james terrio said:
I agree. You may as well make your own out of construction paper and Elmer's glue, it would probably work about as well.

Micarta or G10 will outlast us all. Aplha Knife Supply is my favorite dealer for that stuff. :thumbup:
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+1 I bought vulcanized liner and threw it away when I received it.
 
I don't care for the hard way. I looked at that paper, and then started doing some searches on BF. It was an easy decision after that. I'm sorry you fell victim, it seemed that a lot of makers used it.
 
You guys are nuts. IVORY!!! :) It will outlast G10 or micarta. Heck, much of it has been around thousands of years already!
 
Let's do a test where we throw thin pieces of ivory and G10 and Micarta on a concrete floor and see what happens :D
 
Let's put G10 tusks on an elephant and see how long he survives in a battle with an elephant that has ivory tusks! ;)
 
Darn tootin'! You supply the elephants, I'll bet the homestead on the one with G10 tusks.
 
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