I have been making "mycarta" for a year or so and here is my basic method;
If only making enough for 1 handle, I use 11"x2" strips. If using cotton t-shirt like material, 16-18 layers gives 1/4" thickness in the scales. I use 18-20 layers so I can sand off the top 2 layers to get rid of the shiny effect the hardened resin leaves.
I use 2 pieces of 2" Channel about 14" long for the sides and a 1 3/4" piece of bar stock for the "lid". I don't use saran wrap or anything similar to keep it from sticking to my take apart "u" shaped box (yes it works and is good advice) I just spray it all down with wd4. Resin wont stick to oiled parts so spray your clamps and the table underneath as well.
For 18 strips of fabric like t-shirt, I use 14 oz. of resin. I use a cleaned out 1 gallon milk jug that I cut the top off of and put in all the resin and 1/2 the recommended amount of hardener so it does not set up before I am done. I put 1/2 of the material in the jug and mix it with my hands to make sure it is fully saturated and then pull it all out in a big ball and squeeze the shizle out of it over the jug and set it off to the side....on top of a plastic grocery bag or that piece of saran wrap or what ever. Then I put the other 1/2 of the material in and do the same thing. This works great if you are using similar colors, because dark green and black look the same when wet. Now I start stacking in my desired pattern with the bottom being on the bottom. Four c-clamps will work great starting from the middle and on opposite sides of the "box" to help keep it even. The box sits on 2 small pieces of 2x4 so I can clamp with out clamping to the table. I can then lay the clamped piece at an angle so all the extra runs off. Do this outside!! Well ventilated area is good enough....outside is much better!!
After it is dry, I cut it in 1/2 and place upside down on a piece of 220 grit sandpaper and move in a circular motion to get rid of the shiny effect/dimple marks and get a real even top surface. Epoxy/pin to tang and grind to shape. Finish to 400 grit and it looks real nice. I soak the entire knife with turtle wax for rust prevention and it also brings the color out in the mycarta. Black will be black, not dark grey. Also, you get the "grippyness" of the mycarta that goes away if the super glue/hand sand method is used while still offering stain resistance. Cleans up great with dish soap and a scrubby!
Regular latex gloves will break, get the kind you use to clean the toilet. Actually, I don't use gloves at all, I keep a bottle of dish soap right there and when I'm done I squirt a bunch on my hands and use a throw away towel....stuff just wipes right off.
A couple pics....
