Found some old Westinghouse Micarta. Who can tell me about it?

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xela2

Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
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I rarely frequent this board, but figured you guys would be much more knowledgeable on this stuff than anywhere else I visit/post. I recently acquired two fairly large pieces of Westinghouse Micarta (approximately <12'x<12"x2"), and wanted to know more about this stuff. I will post some pictures either tonight or tomorrow, but I will describe them as best as possible. The tag on one of them says Westinghouse, but is faded to the point you can&#8217;t really read it anymore. It appears to be a canvas micarta, and a black/brown color, with maybe a hint of red? They had been sitting in a machine shop for around 20 years from what I was told, and were used for an old project to insulate some electrical panels.

So, is this stuff toxic and full of asbestos? Is it any good for handle/scale making? I am not currently set up to do any knife making at this time, but know people who are. If this stuff is worth anything, what should I sell it to them for?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Old micarta is cool. That's a good size for block handles, too. I'd suggest going to the knife supply company websites and looking at their prices. Jantz supply and Alpha Knife supply are two who carry micarta in block sizes. The trend now is more toward phenolics in thinner sizes, suitable for full tangs with scales. It's hard to find good blocks sometimes, I'd cut that micarta into 1"x1.5"x4.5" blocks for sale. The canvas grain should be running lengthwise with the block, and showing the weave on the sides of the block.

Brown micarta looks decent, but often sells at a bit lower a price than green, white, or maroon material. Prices may equate better with black canvas micarta.

Just my $.02.
 
And you can actually call it Micarta without ruffling any feathers. :D
 
Fill up a med/12" size flate rate box and offer them for 40 bucks a box. I fellow here did with some G-11 he ran to.
Side note though you'll have to bump your membership level to offer it here.
Make sure to save 1 for me!
For what its worth, 8 dollars a pound is what it can be sourced for here locally.
Greg
 
Thank you everyone for your help. Like I said, I rarely post on here. I mostly post on gun boards (ar15.com, glocktalk, carolina shooters forum, palmetto shooters forum), and have only used this site to buy a busse ash a few years ago. Do I have to pay for a membership, or increase my post count in order to post a for sale thread?

GTH11 said:
Fill up a med/12" size flate rate box and offer them for 40 bucks a box. I fellow here did with some G-11 he ran to.
Side note though you'll have to bump your membership level to offer it here.
Make sure to save 1 for me!
For what its worth, 8 dollars a pound is what it can be sourced for here locally.
Greg
Click to expand...
 
Yes ,you'll need to purchase at least a gold membership.Im sure you will quickly make that back and then some.
 
Go to the for sale thread and read the rules there is more to it than getting a gold membership. Best of luck with your sales and you should visit more often.
 
thank you everyone for your replies, you guys have been very helpful. the sheets are going to new, deserving homes this week to be made into something awesome!
 
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