Cracks in Micarta

[Forrest Taylor]

Saw these cracks while roughing in scales on a knife. It wasn't over heated or stressed in any way.
Anyone seen this before.

 

[Crag the Brewer]

Is that supposed to be paper micarta?

Do you know the manufacturer?
I've not seen that before in micarta.

 

[Forrest Taylor]

It is paper. I bought it from one of the usual USA suppliers. Don't remember which for certain.
Found it odd because I've made at least one other knife from the same sheet with no cracks.
It's actually a friend's knife I'm helping him with. I'm gonna suggest we grind it off and try again.

 

[Lorien]

It is paper. I bought it from one of the usual USA suppliers. Don't remember which for certain.
Found it odd because I've made at least one other knife from the same sheet with no cracks.
It's actually a friend's knife I'm helping him with. I'm gonna suggest we grind it off and try again.

you could just fill the crack with ca glue and use the knife. If it ever fails, maybe fix it then?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I'm with Lorien about flooding the area with thin CA and letting it cure overnight. Resand and then see how it looks.

That type of cracking sure looks like it got too hot in grinding?

 

[Scott Hanson]

I seen that in white paper micarta I bought from Jantz about 20 years ago. I used it on a off project for a kayak a guy had, I bought knife handle blocks and it only cracked on one side I didn’t notice it until I buffed the pieces. I’ve heard of other people having problems with the white micarta also.

 

[SBuzek]

Tight holes and brass pins in paper . Pins over heated and expanded cracking the paper along joint lines.

 

[Taz]

I had a whole handle block of white paper micarta split down the middle while sitting in my shop for a few years. I also had some butterscotch paper micarta split when working it as a ferrule for some kitchen knives because I got it too hot when working it. It can even overheat and crack from too much heat when sawing, drilling, etc, not just sanding! Sanding pins can heat the material up enough to crack, too. Paper micarta seems a LOT more temperamental than canvas/linen, so I don't use it very often anymore.

 

[Forrest Taylor]

It may have been from too much heat. I cautioned him before he started grinding about not letting it get too hot.
I like the CA idea. and will pass that along.

 

[Blankblank]

I seen that in white paper micarta I bought from Jantz about 20 years ago. I used it on a off project for a kayak a guy had, I bought knife handle blocks and it only cracked on one side I didn’t notice it until I buffed the pieces. I’ve heard of other people having problems with the white micarta also.

Some vintage paper micarta i got had similar cracks in it. From one of the shops that sells vintage micarta.

One end had cracks. And they seemed to have been there for a long time.