BK16 WIP, including some homemade burlap micarta

TPVT

TPVT

Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
5,768
hey all.
i don't post that often, but i just received a new BK16. i decided i wanted to put some burlap "mycarta" on it for a handle.

i like taking pics as i go. so, i figured i would share.

Before...
IMG_1838.jpg


It is very important to start with a clean workspace...
IMG_1839.jpg


I cut up strips of burlap (see pic above) and just use fiberglass resin from a local hardware store...
IMG_1841.jpg


and we wait...
IMG_1848.jpg


More to come....
 
I cant wait to see how burlap micarta turns out. When i used the bondo brand fiberglass resin and old kahki pants it turned a nice dark greenish color. Only problem is it absorbs water. Perhaps i didnt use enough resin. I want to use burlap next so keep us posted
 
cEdge said:
I cant wait to see how burlap micarta turns out. When i used the bondo brand fiberglass resin and old kahki pants it turned a nice dark greenish color. Only problem is it absorbs water. Perhaps i didnt use enough resin. I want to use burlap next so keep us posted
Click to expand...

yeah. i've found with heavy canvas fabric, you really need to make sure that you use plenty of resin (and hardener). burlap is good because it is quite easy to saturate the fabric with the resin.
 
I have first hand experience on how his handles turn out with this material.

Awesome!! :) :thumbup:

A teaser of TPVT's former BK17 that I bought and then gifted to one of my best friends son:

3840E42F-BCFA-4B1F-8582-210DFD4CFC71-12914-00001164253AC6F1_zps85f5c53c.jpg
 
great pic HWF. thanks for adding. that's cool you gave it away to a kid. love it. :thumbup:
 
Thanks guys! He's a great kid and is safe and deserving of a fine knife with custom scales.

I started a thread about it a while back with some more pics.
 
Looking forward to seeing this 16 all finished up! Are you gonna strip it as well?
 
Looking forward to the outcome. I have some burlap my- Carta looking for a knife. I used a old carhart type coat for the my-carta on my 16 and I really like it. I keep thinking of new materials to try. I would like to get some resin that is more clear.
 
HWF said:
Looking forward to seeing this 16 all finished up! Are you gonna strip it as well?
Click to expand...

thanks hugh. and yup, the blade is sitting in the stripper now. thanks for ruining the surprise. :D
 
LG&M said:
Looking forward to the outcome. I have some burlap my- Carta looking for a knife. I used a old carhart type coat for the my-carta on my 16 and I really like it. I keep thinking of new materials to try. I would like to get some resin that is more clear.
Click to expand...

i would love to see a pic of the carhartt knife. i am going to try some paper mycarta for a knife shortly. and, i know what you mean about the resin. would love to find some that is less-brown. though, the finished product usually ends up looking ok.
 
Did my own burlap mycarta a while back. It certainly soaks up the resin. First one I used the Bondo stuff - very yellow-colored. Next 2 I used Tap Plastics layup resin. Much nicer than bondo (and usefully longer set time), but still a bit amber. I didn't worry about it much with my natural and brown burlap.
Currently for bonding liners in I'm using west systems. It's great in small quantities but, for me, it's too thick to wet out a set of scales. Resin is clear but hardener is deep amber. Dries a little yellow. But holds very, very well.
The fiberglass guys swear by u s composites. They have several options. If I had it to do again, I'd give them a try.

Based on those ones you did for HWF that were given away, I'm really looking forward to your completed 16.
Another spoiler: are you adding liners in there again?
 
tjswarbrick said:
Did my own burlap mycarta a while back. It certainly soaks up the resin. First one I used the Bondo stuff - very yellow-colored. Next 2 I used Tap Plastics layup resin. Much nicer than bondo (and usefully longer set time), but still a bit amber. I didn't worry about it much with my natural and brown burlap.
Currently for bonding liners in I'm using west systems. It's great in small quantities but, for me, it's too thick to wet out a set of scales. Resin is clear but hardener is deep amber. Dries a little yellow. But holds very, very well.
The fiberglass guys swear by u s composites. They have several options. If I had it to do again, I'd give them a try.

Based on those ones you did for HWF that were given away, I'm really looking forward to your completed 16.
Another spoiler: are you adding liners in there again?
Click to expand...

thanks for all the info. i use the G/Flex for gluing up liners/scales to the knife. but, it's too expensive to use for making slabs (for me). I'll have to look into the US Composites. thanks.

And ha. Yes. The config of this knife will be the green(ish) burlap with coyote brown G10 liners and natural canvas micarta pins. i did another knife in this config for someone, and i really like the way it looks.

Hopefully, i won't mess it up! ;)
 
Here is mine I used Bondo/3M resin.
4-12-13+019.JPG

This one I used green wool socks ( sock-cart) I like how it turned out
5-4-13+039.JPG

I have heard the west systems is good stuff & more clear but have never used it. I would like to make a true orange if I could find a clear resin that was not too expensive.
 
wow LG&M. they came out great. the sox are a great idea. good stuff. :thumbup:

how about a really crappy pic of the raw scales? Ok!
IMG_1850.jpg


hope to get some more done tomorrow, but i may go fishing instead. :rolleyes:
 
There's an idea, fish scale scales! ;) :thumbup:

Go fishing man, I would!

But then get back here and show us some more burlap. ;)
 
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