Burning in Micarta??

[hogworthy]

This could be totally off the deep end... but has anyone tried to burn in a micarta handle like you would with a hidden tang wooden handle?

Has anyone tried? Or is this the stupidest question in the history of bladeforums???

 

[Rhinoknives1]

No, You drill, file and rasp a hidden tang Micarta handle.

Burning micarta will release many toxic fumes. I advise against it.

 

[Salem Straub]

I wouldn't do it either. Micarta uses thermosetting resins to harden, I'd think that even if you managed to burn a handle in without asphyxiating yourself, the material could be significantly weakened.

I have heard of using lower heats on the tang, like 3-400 degrees, to "iron" the fit in just perfect after previous shaping, when fitting up scales onto integrals and such, mostly with wood but I think also with micarta- but I don't see a need for it personally.

 

[Rhinoknives1]

Working Micarta cold has enough possible health risks. It releases Formeldyhyde when you work it and the hotter you get it the more it will release along with who knows?

If you see any of those sweet little old ladies that have been doing hair perms etc the look like they are slow to speak and think etc.. Its years of breathing Formeldyhyde fumes.

Work it cold and wear a respirator so you don't get pickled!

 

[james terrio]

There's really no reason to do it anyway. Micarta's just not that difficult to work with. "Burning in" tangs was originally done by people who simply didn't have drills and rasps. Once those sorts of tools became readily available, pretty much every culture on the planet stopped doing it.