BK77 Micarta scales finish quality?

E

elliottk

Joined
Nov 10, 2007
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3
Having collected several Beckers in recent years, I finally dropped the $ for a test pair of the Micarta scales. As received, I have to say I'm underwhelmed. Sloppy shaping/sculpting, with various lumps and bumps, and over-aggressive bead-blasting, leaving ruts/grooves in various spots, especially along the "belly" bottom center area of the scales. QUESTION - Is this consistent with what everyone else receives, and is the expectation that you need to sand the scales smooth? I expected a better surface and finish from the OEM. It's one thing to customize, color, and reshape as you see fit, but I did not expect to HAVE to do the finish work myself at this price.

Thanks in advance.
 
Are you talking about Kabar micarta? If so, you must have received a strange pair?? They do have texture to them, infact, they are not smooth at all. They are designed to give you grip.
Can you post a picture?
 
Yep. Sounds about right with how they come from the factory. I actually likes it that way. I used a small rat tail file and smoothed out the bottom and top of the grips where there were some rough spots. Took just a couple of minutes.


If you're interested, I'm looking for another set of the factory micarta and I have a set of black(looks more grey) micarta from saints cutlery that is very smoothly finished. I'd trade you if you'd like.

The saints goes for about 45 on ebay.

Here's a pic:

241849_10151055882217533_603831467_o.jpg
 
elliottk said:
Having collected several Beckers in recent years, I finally dropped the $ for a test pair of the Micarta scales. As received, I have to say I'm underwhelmed. Sloppy shaping/sculpting, with various lumps and bumps, and over-aggressive bead-blasting, leaving ruts/grooves in various spots, especially along the "belly" bottom center area of the scales. QUESTION - Is this consistent with what everyone else receives, and is the expectation that you need to sand the scales smooth? I expected a better surface and finish from the OEM. It's one thing to customize, color, and reshape as you see fit, but I did not expect to HAVE to do the finish work myself at this price.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

They are somewhat rough by design. The scales are NOT smooth micarta on the order of a Bark River or similarly handled knife.
However, if you think you've gotten a rougher than usual set of scales, post up some pics, and folks can advise.

Here's a set on my BK-9. They do have some of the "ruts/grooves" you mention.

P1010750.jpg
 
I guess I stated this poorly - my expectation (which is met by other non-KABAR Micarta bead-blasted scales) is that the overall surface should be just as smooth as a quality pair of glossy-finished Micartas. In other words, no lumps, bumps, nicks, grooves/gullies, etc. The bead blast should then only add a smooth textured "tooth" to the overall surface, without actually carving up the surface or changing profiles. Looks like KABAR, at least in this case, takes a rather heavy hand on the bead blast, and also does not worry too much about shaping. Yes, these are KABAR scales. Only reason I'm asking is because I bought these sight unseen, so I had no idea what to expect. If I'm expecting too much, I just need to know that, and I will go from there. Will try to upload a meaningful photo to illustrate what I'm talking about. Thanks for the reply.

UPDATE: While I was typing this, several more replies came in, and it looks like my question is answered -- the KABAR scales seem to be roughly finished as a rule, so I guess it's my job to break out the 400-grit or equivalent. Thanks for all the replies from experienced users. While there are multiple existing threads on refinishing, can anyone recommend a simple clear sealer to darken up the scales and reduce water absorption?

THanks again.
 
elliottk said:
I guess I stated this poorly - my expectation (which is met by other non-KABAR Micarta bead-blasted scales) is that the overall surface should be just as smooth as a quality pair of glossy-finished Micartas. In other words, no lumps, bumps, nicks, grooves/gullies, etc. The bead blast should then only add a smooth textured "tooth" to the overall surface, without actually carving up the surface or changing profiles. Looks like KABAR, at least in this case, takes a rather heavy hand on the bead blast, and also does not worry too much about shaping. Yes, these are KABAR scales. Only reason I'm asking is because I bought these sight unseen, so I had no idea what to expect. If I'm expecting too much, I just need to know that, and I will go from there. Will try to upload a meaningful photo to illustrate what I'm talking about. Thanks for the reply.
Click to expand...

I've never gotten a set that is "just as smooth as a quality pair of glossy-finished Micartas," and I'm glad.
I don't like glossy finished micarta that well, even when roughed up with sandpaper.
All mine, to some extent, have had some undulations in the shaping. In other words, not as smoothly shaped as the Grivory.

elliottk, welcome to Bladeforums. Get us a decent close-up, and folks will let you know if your scales are normal for the Ka-Bar micarta.
 
I've noticed some variation. For instance, look at the top BK-2 scales.
They're somewhat smoother than the scales on the bottom Perseverance.
Still if you look at the hilt of the scales on the BK-2, you can see some of those slight "grooves" in the micarta.

P1020399.jpg
 
The scales on my BK-10 had a good bit of uneveness, and dyeing the scales made it stand out even more.
I actually went back (after this pic) and smoothed these scales with some sandpaper and then re-dyed, mainly because I was shooting for "purty" with this particular knife. :p
The small grooves don't affect function at all. In fact, I actually think they improve function.

P1020990.jpg
 
This is why I make all my own stuff, no one to blade except yourself :p. But honestly from how your describing the scales you recieved they looks bloody aweful, I reckon you got a bad set.
 
elliottk said:
UPDATE: While I was typing this, several more replies came in, and it looks like my question is answered -- the KABAR scales seem to be roughly finished as a rule, so I guess it's my job to break out the 400-grit or equivalent. Thanks for all the replies from experienced users. While there are multiple existing threads on refinishing, can anyone recommend a simple clear sealer to darken up the scales and reduce water absorption?

THanks again.
Click to expand...

I tend simply to put mineral oil on micarta. Unlike some oils, it won't become rancid. It darkens the micarta and will help repel water, though you don't have to worry too much about water and micarta It will eventually fade, but if you use the knife a LOT, the oils from your hand will do the same thing. If you use mineral oil and decide you don't like it, a scrub with hot soapy water will take it out. You can find mineral oil at any pharmacy since it's a laxative. Inexpensive too. I use it to oil carbon blades (non-toxic), to maintain wooden cutting boards, and to use on micarta.
 
Funny this thread appears now, I just received my first set of micarta and was equally underwhelmed. I expected a matte finish and was surprised to find grooves that contour the "belly" of the scales where your fingers wrap around the handle. Also a darker portion wrapping around the hilt portion of both scales, all the defects seems common to both scales so I figure that just what you get. Im not that surprised, it seems equal to the fit and finish of the scales on my OKC Rat 5.
 
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Like I mentioned, it is not smooth micarta like Bark River's knives.
Back when I still owned a Bark River or two, I sent a knife BACK to have it roughened up.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. The Ka-Bar scales aren't perfectly smooth or formed.
They're rugged like the knives, and they're made for function, not show.

For elliottk: my 9 was handy, so here's what mineral oil will do. After you wipe it down, it's a little slick at first, but will become grippier as the oil dries a bit.

Before...

P1050062.jpg


After...

P1050063.jpg


P1050065.jpg
 
Uncle Malice said:
I have a set of black(looks more grey) micarta from saints cutlery that is very smoothly finished.
Click to expand...

Uncle Malice, I have St. Cutlery micarta on my 16, and I agree that the finishing is smoother.
One difference I note is that the shaping is a bit different and the handles taper more quickly at the bottom. Not quite as rounded...
Is that true on the larger scales as well? It sort of looks that way in your pic, but it's hard to tell.
 
One difference I note is that the shaping is a bit different and the handles taper more quickly at the bottom. Not quite as rounded...
Is that true on the larger scales as well?
Click to expand...

Yep. They are wider at the top and thinner at the bottom. I originally emailed Mike at Saints to ask if it was a defect or just the way they were. Mike said that it was intentional. He redesigned the ergonomics to work better for larger hands. I found that they actually do feel really nice on the BK2. I tried them on the BK12 and felt that they were a little too pointed at the bottom. With the wider stock of the BK2, it's a pretty perfect fit. I just get anxious for change.

I would actually be willing to trade my BK2 with the stripped, etching, polishing, convexing, with those black micarta for a stock bk2 with factory micarta. Just looking to switch it up. Let me know if anyone is interested. I have it listed in the for trade forum.
 
I haven't put the scales on yet but if they feel to rough Ill just smooth them out I guess. Guyon, I knew it wasn't glossy micarta but I'm not referring to the texture, more the finish if that makes sense :D. I prefer the matte feel as apposed to my BHK Bushcrafter that i got in the glossy finish which I do love but sometimes worry about sliding up on to the edge especially with its lack of guard of any kind. I always tell myself, DO NOT BEAR DOWN ON THE POINT when I'm holding it.
 
The roughness of the factory micarta scales is standard, AFAIK. I like them.

The Saint micarta is good quality, but I'd like them a lot more if they replicated the factory grivory, just to make it easier to fit aftermarket kydex to the knife. I actually prefer the roughness of the factory micarta in my chopping knives. I like to get a good solid grip, which the factory micarta does provide, as well as the factory-standard dimensions that make sheathing the knife a lot easier.
 
Okay, I know I'm missing something here. Been looking for this "Saint/Saints/Saint's Micarta" but to no avail. Is that some speakeasy word around here on BF? Please advise!
 
saintcutlery is available on that popular auction site we've all heard of before. e-somethingorother :D
 
CCMI said:
saintcutlery is available on that popular auction site we've all heard of before. e-somethingorother :D
Click to expand...
Well, no matter what and how I enter the search query on either online site, I don't get the desired results. I come up empty. Thanks anyway.
 
try searching the term ' becker micarta '

it might bring up other results as well, but a number will be saintcutlery. You can click the vendor name from that point and bring up everything they have listed for sale.
 
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