Flat finish on G10 ?

Matt Shade

Matt Shade

Joined
Nov 24, 1999
Messages
4,981
I have some black G10 that I want to use for scales on a folder. Its a lot shinier and slicker than I want it to be if I'm going to use it though. I'm planning on sanding it out by hand. Can I put a flat finish on it thats more grippy than the polished without bead blasting it? If so do I do it in the same way I hand rub a blade, only not go to quite as fine a grit of paper? If it has to be bead blasted, what do I use? I have access to an old sandblaster, but I don't know if it will take glass beads or anything like that. Thanks a lot.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Matt,

Go ahead and hand-rub it up to whatever grit you like. I do it all the time. Up to 400 looks and feels great. Don't use any oil or other liquid. Just do it dry. Wear a respirator!
 
Matt, My g10 gets oily and loses its look and grip just by people handling it even after beadblasting. I just rough it up again with worn 220 and it looks good again. Bruce
 
Thanks a lot guys. I had seen a lot of knives with G10 handles that were kind of gray and looked great. Then I got my G10 and couldn't beleive how slick it was, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to use it.
Next time I may try making slabs that are half and half Black G10 and either hard Maple, White Ash,or some other type of real hard wood and using a checking tool on the wooden half like people use on rifle stocks.
Thanks again for the help.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
Matt,

Sorry, I forgot to tell you that you can use water, but not oil, when you sand this stuff. It helps a good deal.

I have seen some knives, like you have described, which incorporate G-10 and wood inserts on Tom Mayo's website. They really look terrific. You might want to talk to him about this. I don't know him but he seems to be reaaly bright and very helpful to forum members.

One more word, because this cannot be overemphasized. Wear a respirator when you are sanding this stuff, please. It is nasty. You might think that because you are hand rubbing it, you aren't throwing up much dust. You are, believe me.

It is easy to forget, but very dangerous. For example, almost immediately after I posted my first response to your topic, i went to work hand-rubbing some handles. I completely forgot to wear the respirator. When I finished a couple hours later, I was covered with dust, and it was coming out of my nose. Don't forget.

 
Thanks I'll remember that. I plan on doing it outside in my garage instead of in the basement where I usually work and having my shop vac running the whole time to suck the dust up before it gets everywhere too.

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Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
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