carbon fiber question?

[Kentucky]

Lets see if anyone can help me out here..Im wondering what the correct designation for the carbon fiber you see used in knife handles that keeps its "twill" pattern all the way through? I had some a while back that was structural carbon fiber I believe.When you ground it the pattern completely went away to just reveal "layers"..Anyone help me out? thanks

 

[gte805i]

While I haven't purchased any of it for handle material, I do have some experience with carbon fiber laminates. Typically, the laminate will consist of multiple layers. Each layer is a woven fabric, and is usually placed at an angle with respect to the next layer. For instance, the first is placed straight.....the next at 45 degrees from straight....the third at 90 degrees from straight... and so on. If you want something that has a consistent pattern as you grind deeper, you may need to find a laminate in which every layer is oriented identically. This wouldn't be typical for structural applications, but may be out there for aesthetic applications.

Can anybody with carbon fiber handle experience confirm?

 

[Overmountain]

I bought some stuff that was sold as scale material from Jantz. It was 1/8" thick so I didn't take a lot off the sides but it appeared to be on a 90 to itself making a uniform pattern. It was kinda spendy IMHO but looked nice, like canvas micarta when shaped except with a lot more depth and brilliance...

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

This stuff is amazing ( but pricy):
http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=40_476&products_id=3561

I have started using it on tactical knives for the sandbox.

 

[Overmountain]

This stuff is amazing ( but pricy):
http://www.knifekits.com/vcom/product_info.php?cPath=40_476&products_id=3561

I have started using it on tactical knives for the sandbox.

Stacy I have seen this stuff before in the 1911 market for grips. Never played with it though. Is it an aluminum weave or something or is it another textile? What would you compare it to work wise?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

It works like regular CF.

It is made from Texalium woven CF that has been anodized with a thin layer of pure aluminum. Then the Texalium is laminated in phenolic to make a G-10 material that has a highly reflective surface. Just like regular G-10/CF, the look will change when you grind into it, so try and plan the surface to be as-is. Grind from the back if you need to match thickness. I would say the best use for this would be folders with milled-to-shape removable scales.

 

[James H Puckett]

I have made my own micarta, I wonder if anyone knows where to get the mats for making your own carbon fiber. It should be simple to do.