Canvas Micarta tip

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
I recently finished an A.T. Barr Combat model blade blank in canvas micarta (natural/tan) and thought I'd give a report. I initially finished the scales to a polish and the results were pretty cruddy. There were rough spots that turned gray all over the handles and they sucked. So, I used a rough sanding drum on my Dremel and recountoured, then went back over it with the finer sanding drum (probably a 120-220 grit, I would guess). At this point the pores in the material are FULL of dust, so I rinsed it well in the water and also noticed it grips extremely well. When it dries it has a nice sort of sandblasted look to it and it nice and grippy. I left it like this and I think this is the poor-man's solution to bead/sand blasted canvas micarta. I like it a lot. Also, I used red liners between scales and tang and you can hardly see them because the Micarta seems to soak up the epoxy at the joint and turns a dark color. So, don't bother using liners under tan canvas. Anyway, the stuff is nice for field-grade knives, but sucks otherwise (IMHO). I'll post pics of the knife and sheath when they are both completed. The sheath is woodlands-camo Concealex (thought I'd have a little fun!) and should turn out cool.


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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
I'm looking forward to seeing the pic!

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"Come What May..."
 
Steve, I'm glad to hear that you have finished that knife. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

When I use canvas micarta, I hand finish with a piece of 220 shop roll. That will smooth out the edges and still leave a good finish for a safe grip.

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A.T.
http://www.customknives.com
AKTI #476


 
Well, I had the knife finished to a gorgeous satin, quai-polished finish and as I was thinning the edge so it could be sharpened, I dragged my dang 60 grit wheel across the dang blade and left a hell of a scar. I spent probably 5 hours finishing that blade, then screwed it up in a blink of an eye! Oh well. I guess I won't have to worry about the Kydex sheath scraping it up now.
frown.gif


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My Knife & Sheath Pages:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
Sheath Makers Referral Directory
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html
 
try wiping the whole knife down with WD40. cleans off all the dirt and leaves a nice look...if you decide you dont like that effect you can rewipe with acetone.....

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http://www.mayoknives.com


 
Be careful when sanding micarta as it burns easily and will leave a cruddy finnish .Always use sharp sand paper and slow rpm's . I wet sand to 400-Grit and then buff .really nice results . also if you want a nice texture shape to 120-Grit and then sand blast with a coarse grit and then buff with a white compound.
 
Chiro, I used to do that too, scratch up the blade while fussing with the handle. Masking tape, duct tape electrical tape strapping tape, packaging tape, put a couple wraps of charmin under the tape it's easier than cleaning the gunk off the blade.
biggrin.gif
By the way, (I feel your pain)
biggrin.gif


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It is better to bear the rebuke of a wise man than to enjoy the flattery of fools.
 
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