Does orange micarta exist?

D

doggyknife

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
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Anyone know if orange colored micarta actually exists?

I've seen micarta scales that were orange in color, though as far as I know, they've never been called "orange micarta". I've heard them called "yellow micarta", "gold micarta" and even "natural micarta". "Yellow micarta" shades seem to range from a bright canary colored yellow, to a dirty dark yellow shade, to plain orange. "Natural micarta" usually is a tan/fleshy color, though once in a while, I've seen orange colored scales referred to as "natural".

A most recent example of this color misnomering was in Blade magazine. There was a photo of a Dozer "Freedom Fighter" with orange colored scales. Yet if I remember correctly, a few months ago, the scales were referred to as "yellow micarta". I've heard from others referring to the same photo as the scales being "natural micarta".

Why is there such a wide range of colors for "yellow micarta" that run from bright yellow to dark orange? Does a specifically orange colored micarta actually exist? Thanks in advance.
 
Since Micarta is strictly a man made material introduced by GE back in the 30's or 40's I would venture to say that the coloring is up to the producer. I have seen Dozier scales saying orange and I also saw an early Loveless with what were called Orange Micarta scales. Never a bright orange though.
Bob
 
Yep, Westinghouse. And you can move the date back 40 years or more.
The colors you saw in the magazine could be a fluke in printing, or film variation, not the true color.
Bob Dozier does use micarta that is like old ivory, yellowish.
I, personally, have not seen orange Micarta. I have seen/used natural, which, like you stated, is a tan color.
Here is the phone # to a place, if they don't have it, it's not made. They have been selling Micarta since 1924. One warehouse full of nothing but Micarta.
Angus-Campbell, Inc.
1-323-587-1236
 
Micarta can be made any color you wish. Once you make it a color, then you can call it whatever you want. Micarta is made with linen, canvas or other fabric and uses an epoxy bond. (It can even be made at home!) The fabric texture will be what makes it different. Canvas will be rougher than linen. Paper will be very smooth. G10 is very similar, but uses fiberglas, nylon and epoxy stuff. It can also be colored. BTW, "Micarta", like "Zytel"* is a trademarked name for a specific company. (Westinghouse) Others may call it "Rucarta".

*Brought to you by the fine folks at Du-Pont.

This may all be wrong as I get easily confused. I think it is at least MOSTLY right though.
 
Mike
I'm curious I dated Micarta from the 30's or 40's and you said push the date back 40 years. Does that mean Micarta was invented in the late 1800's?
Bob
 
According to a couple of websites I found, Micarta was first developed in 1911. It saw wide spread use in the auto industry not long after:).
 
Thanks for the info guys.

Though the photo in Blade may have color problems (if any), I have seen "orange" micarta/rucarta/etc. in person, so I do know it exists. Just don't know what to call it if asking for it.

Anyone know of a source that sells orange colored micarta/rucarta/g10?
 
Interesting Bob.., never even thought about it's age until I read this thread. I would have guessed around the mid 30's...


"Hunters seek what they [WANT].., Seekers hunt what they [NEED]"
 
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