How do you tell the difference in Micarta?

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

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Feb 3, 2001
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There are what, basically 3 types of Micarta with variations on each one?

How do you tell the difference between Linen, Canvas, and Paper Micarta?
 
Paper Micarta - No visible texture, very smooth when polished, color looks homogenous.

Linen Micarta - fine, gridlike texture, pretty smooth when polished, some grippiness. Some linens have a homogenous color, others can be a little variable.

Canvas Micarta - variable texture from medium to coarse, color is mottled, can polish it, but still retains a pebbly texture (and provides some grippiness) if polished.
 
Adding to what Architect said I think with linen and canvas it can depend on the way it's finished alot of times it's hard to tell the difference between the two.
 
Just a bit of trivia to add here; Linen Micarta is not made from linen at all. It is made from a finer grade of cotton fiber than Canvas Micarta is, but other than that they are the same.

Canvas Micarta is coarser and has the highest impact strength of the three. Paper Micarta is actually made using sheets of paper and it will take the best polish. It is the one that can be used for scrimshaw. Linen Micarta falls between these two as far as how smooth it can be polished. It has higher impact strength than Paper, but not as high as Canvas.

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Is beauty more important than toughness? Then pick Paper. If toughness is the main goal than Canvas is the best choice. If you want to try to get a little of both then Linen might just be the right choice, although I personally prefer the look of Canvas over Linen Micarta.
 
Wow, thanks guys for the informative posts...I always mix them up!

RL
 
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