Fibron/Micarta

Pack Rat · May 24, 2006

Hi Guys!

Give me a lesson in fibron vs micarta. Have done the searches here, but still not a clear mental picture.

I have looked at the micarta on a 112 and just see a black linen effect.

Looked at one of the Trio and a Kalinga, and in addition to the linen effect, they have a woodgrain effect.

Thanks

Evil Eye Earl · May 24, 2006

Buck micarta ( small layerers)is similar to your knife handle in your avatar,the lines are closer together as it is polished away as the micarta is layered thinner than the growth rings of wood (trees),black micarta was used on more Bucks than the white or red.The later Kalingas do have wood and not micarta handles.The larger the handle the more grain will be in the micarta, as more material has to be removed to get the shape,small handle,scale less
grain will show and will appear smoother.

Pack Rat · May 24, 2006

Thanks Earl,

I guess I should have said that I understand Micarta better than Fibron. Yeah, the 112 doesn't show any graining the way the handle is.

Have a 110 inbound with fibron. Guess I am getting impatient wanting to know more about it.

I believe the 119 in my avatar is cocobola, but same graining effect. Buck brought 100 of those to the Houston NRA convention last year that have the NRA cutout with the NRA carved (laser cut) handle. Wish it showed up better.

chickentrax · May 24, 2006

One little point I like to make periodically...

If you're familiar with Fibreglas cloth and how Glastron boats are made (or patched), then you know how Micarta is done...layers of cloth with the [usually] black epoxy-like material filling in...But because Buck knives like the 110, 112, 532, etc have flat scales, the layered effect of Micarta can be disappointing...

Knives with rounded scales show up the layers in the Micarta very well when buffed...

Here's an example of a nicely rounded stiletto and a flat Buck 110, both with black linen Micarta scales...

Pack Rat · May 25, 2006

Do I ever have pie on my face. I am so embarASSed I feel like I might pop a gasket.

I was just looking in the stack for the BCC wormwood since I just got in another like it, and what do I see.. Right on the end of one of the boxes, it says Black Fibron.

I don't even remember where or when I got it. gotta dig back through the files.

I wouldn't call it black, more of a dark brown with really tight woodgrain effect.

woodgrained micarta?

Edit: Looks like I got it back in Feb... Ad says Wood Laminate. What ever that means as applied to knife handles.

I gotta get that spreadsheet made...........

Pack Rat · May 26, 2006

Since I kinda figured out Fibron, I'll change the question some..

Does anyone know when it was first used ?

The one I have here has 1994 stamp. Any before that?

chickentrax · May 26, 2006

I've never seen Fibron used as scale material...only in gas tank/carburetor washers...show us a pic...

Pack Rat · May 26, 2006

chickentrax said:
I've never seen Fibron used as scale material...only in gas tank/carburetor washers...show us a pic...

Ok, but let me wait till tomorrow in daylight. For some reason my pics arent worth diddly in artifical, and I have photo floods... not that they are much better in daylight... I also have what is called Aqua Fibron inbound. would like to post them together, Maybe it will come soon.

Pack Rat · May 27, 2006

Here is the Black Fibron. The other one didn't come today.. Didn't really expect it.

110 Dave · May 30, 2006

here is an image of the diffence between glass and linen micarta

Scott Hartman · May 30, 2006

Found this old post, might help

#1 10-16-2001, 03:32 PM
davhalle
Basic Member Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Buffalo, New York
Posts: 4

Fibron now sells Pakkawood knife handle blanks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fibron Products, the original manufacturer of PakkaWood, is now selling PakkaWood knife handle blanks directly to craft knife makers.

Why buy from a middle man when you can buy at the source?

See our web site at www.fibronproducts.com

Note - We also carry periodic specials on our site.

Pack Rat · May 30, 2006

Thanks for that link Scott and some clarification. I had found that in a search, but couldn't associate it with anything to do with knife handles. The site seems to be offline right now but will check it later or scrounge it up in another google.

Dave, Thanks for that comparison, now I gotta check my micarta to see if any are canvas, but I don't think so. I even got a jewlers loop to look at these things with.