Beckerhead Knife Making and Modification Thread

Built my first micarta press. It's 2.5x13. It's set up for burlap ribbon which is 2.5" wide and 15' long cut into 15 12" parts. I added 7 parts from a 2nd roll for a total of 22 pieces. This should end up being about 1/2" thick and each run will make one set of large BK scales or whatever else, haven't mathed all that up yet.


I may have an issue with it being too exact fit once the wax paper gets involved. We'll see, I'm doing a run regardless of that suspicion.


Found this aluminum hangin around that I forgot I had. Perfect for a top and bottom to keep it smooth and flat. I wasn't sure about pressure relief and where it would go. I didn't want anything coming up and clogging the top so I added a weep hole on each end. I used unistrut channel and 3/8 bolts for the press. My impact driver and a deep socket should do the trick


A dry test worked out as planned. Hope to get the first batch going tomorrow. It's windy and crappy outside tonight and I'm beat. I hope this comes out nice.



Gonna hit Walmart tomorrow and wipe out what's left of their rolls. At $1.50/ roll ya can't beat it.



If I don't like how the patterns turn out I figure I can just flip it over and use the blank side. Always have the option to dye as well. Hope to upgrade some BK's and Forgecraft old dirty carbon, and whatever else I can get my hands on. Thanks for looking!
 
Very cool set up, NCSlice! I'm interested to see how the patterns turn out as well. The polka-dots might look pretty sweet...

Thanks for the props, Travis ;)
 
Nice looking setup there, NC. Funny, I was just looking at my "mike-carta" press today and thinking that it's finally warmed up enough to give it another go 'round. Last bit came out OK - I don't think I got the duck cloth I was using quite saturated enough. I used about 80% of the catalyst that was called for so I had time to get all the layers coated.

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Thanks guys! Looks like I might can ditch my end caps eh? Those blocks came out beautiful! I built it so that it could be easily broke down. I have some carhart pants my wife bought with tags for $3 at the thrift store. They don't fit good, she wants to ebay them but I have other plans mwahahaha!
 
Got a batch brewin. Looks like the ink from the dots bled into the epoxy. Ok with me. I layered every third with white burlap. A little messy. Most of what you see is between the paper. A little got on the wood but I scraped it off just now and it's like jelly so it came off easy. One weep hole did its job. I ended up cutting 1/4" off every layer. Glad I did, everything fit real nice. If it turns out I'll post more about the process. Pretty standard tho.


Tom in the background being nosey...
 
It says used 10 drops of hardener per ounce and cures in 2 hours. I used about 90 drops for 9oz. I know I'm anxious but should I wait longer since its thicker than what it's usually used for? I got the bondo stuff.
 
Hmmm. Just checked it. 2hrs later and the drippy bits are still rubbery. Hope I used enough hardener. I brought a chunk inside so I can be lazy lol. I wonder if its still usable if it a little rubbery or if oven enough time it will finally harden completely.
 
NCSlice said:
Thanks man. When are you gonna show that Cam BK2? Is it finished?
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Yeah, it really is, but I wanna make a firesteel for it. Can't make up my mind if I like the patina either, haha. It's the mottled look, kinda like on your 12, but I can't make up my mind if I want to remove it, and try again.
 
NCSlice said:
Hmmm. Just checked it. 2hrs later and the drippy bits are still rubbery. Hope I used enough hardener. I brought a chunk inside so I can be lazy lol. I wonder if its still usable if it a little rubbery or if oven enough time it will finally harden completely.
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I think it will, give it a little time. A little warmth won't hurt the curing time, either. Problem is, if you use the recommended amount of hardener, you are racing the clock trying to get the layers saturated before the resin starts to harden, and you'll probably lose that race. Or at least I would.....

It'll harden. I'd give it at least overnight before I started being concerned, IIWY. I think that's what I ended up doing with mine.
 
NCSlice said:
Hmmm. Just checked it. 2hrs later and the drippy bits are still rubbery. Hope I used enough hardener. I brought a chunk inside so I can be lazy lol. I wonder if its still usable if it a little rubbery or if oven enough time it will finally harden completely.
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Give it time. It will probably harden. Might have to put it in a warmer environment depending on your ambient temps.
 
The Warrior said:
Yeah, it really is, but I wanna make a firesteel for it. Can't make up my mind if I like the patina either, haha. It's the mottled look, kinda like on your 12, but I can't make up my mind if I want to remove it, and try again.
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Heard that man. I get the same way that's why I did a second mustard on top before deciding to take it off and then I was satisfied.

granitestateofmind said:
I think it will, give it a little time. A little warmth won't hurt the curing time, either. Problem is, if you use the recommended amount of hardener, you are racing the clock trying to get the layers saturated before the resin starts to harden, and you'll probably lose that race. Or at least I would.....

It'll harden. I'd give it at least overnight before I started being concerned, IIWY. I think that's what I ended up doing with mine.
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It said 10-12 min and it was plenty. My little bits are getting more brittle. I've moved it inside. I'll prob wake up at some odd hour and check it out then be up till time to go to work lol.

DunkEm said:
Give it time. It will probably harden. Might have to put it in a warmer environment depending on your ambient temps.
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Yeah, temps been weird all week. Low 40's and high mid 70's. I'll sit it near a little heater I use at night.
Thanks guys. The anticipations killin me haha. Guess it'll be tomorrow before I get to cut into it. I suppose I should leave it in the frame? Or can I take it out and let it finish curing? Pretty sure I know the answer but figured I'd ask. Just tell me to settle the hell down and forget about it till tomorrow! Damn OCD!
 
NCSlice said:
Yeah, temps been weird all week. Low 40's and high mid 70's. I'll sit it near a little heater I use at night.
Thanks guys. The anticipations killin me haha. Guess it'll be tomorrow before I get to cut into it. I suppose I should leave it in the frame? Or can I take it out and let it finish curing? Pretty sure I know the answer but figured I'd ask. Just tell me to settle the hell down and forget about it till tomorrow! Damn OCD!
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You could probably pull it and be fine from a flatness standpoint. But that's more probably than I'd want since you won't want to work with it until it's good and hard. Let it mellow until tomorrow. And it might take another day or so to get as hard as you want.
 
NCSlice said:
Heard that man. I get the same way that's why I did a second mustard on top before deciding to take it off and then I was satisfied.
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I did a few layers. I like it for the most part, but there's one place that looks too smooth, or blurred, than mottled. That's the part I'm not crazy about.
 
NCSlice said:
..Just tell me to settle the hell down and forget about it till tomorrow! Damn OCD!
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Um.. settle the hell down and forget about it till tomorrow. There. I said it. I have nothing else useful to add apart from I think it's awesome that you're having a go and I can't wait to see the results.

I guess if it doesn't work out then it'll be a notch on the parabolic learning curve. Onya Slice. I hope it goes well. Cool set up too..
 
I had the same thing! That one spot. Just something about the steel there. Even after the vinegar I gave it a good baking soda scrub, dried, alcohol, vinegar, repeat then even the mustard barely covered it up. I try not to look there. Prob only I can see it until I point it out. Thought I was crazy. Well...thought it was just me...
 
Thanks Springy! I needed that lol! Yeah, I'll learn more what not to do until I get it right hah
 
The Warrior said:
I did a few layers. I like it for the most part, but there's one place that looks too smooth, or blurred, than mottled. That's the part I'm not crazy about.
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Can you spot the place where 2+ hrs of vinegar and 2 mustard treats wouldn't take? Haha easy enough now that you know.
 
It turned out pretty darned good I think. I was able to get 2 5-3/4"x2"x1/2". Perfect for large beckers! Tweeners will work too of course with room to spare. Now I'm anxious to grind in and see how the layers look.



Scored some more interesting burlap at Walmart. Total five bucks!

5"x15', that's enough to make 4 more sets! I have another ready from the other set so I'll have 5 more to do after the gathering. Then I'll start cutting and grinding.
 
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