Is it possible to modify Micarta Slabs?

jokrswylde

jokrswylde

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Jun 4, 2004
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Hey guys, just let my best friend (and Randall user) play with my steel heart-e. He fell in love immediately (although he claims to still prefer the Randalls). Anyway, he was really reaching for a criticism of the knife, and the best he could come up with was that it was "mighty plain lookin'" (Standard CG black and black). If youv'e ever had anyone call your old lady or your kid ugly, then you'll understand the rage that came over me for a brief instant. Anyway, after I quit cussing him like a dog, he asked me a question that I had no idea how to answer. He wanted to know if there was anyway to color, bleach, or dye the slabs.
I told him I liked the knife just fine, thank you, but it did get me to thinking. Is it doable? I know the micarta has been shown to not absorb gasoline, so I don't imagine it would absorb bleach or dye? Anyone ever tried modifying the color on canvas micarta? I figured if anyone knew, you guys would.
 
Nope, the micarta color is determined by the color of the resin it was made of, and in some cases the cloth layers, once it's a solid mass however only the very ends of the exposed cloth will absorb any sort of dye, and even then it would probably come off with just a little bit of handleing/cleaning.
 
For some reason, I think I remember someone doing something to the micarta that turned it a different colour.

But, I think it made it a reddish-brown tone.

You could always peel the scales and replace with the micarta colour of your choice.

Guess I never looked for much in that area cause I was more concerned how it performed than how it looked.

I do think the tan micarta adds a cool dimension to them though.
 
I'm perfectly happy with the scales the way they are...but since it is a user it might be something worth looking out in about 75-80 years when the current slabs begin to show a little wear. ;)
 
The only color change I've ever seen was from oiling but it can make a huge difference depending on the micarta.

You can also let him know that if he were to pick up a CG blade Busse can probably replace the handle with something he likes more for a minimal charge.
 
Reese Weiland has done a little customization of Busses with new micarta slabs, and other things. FANTASTIC work, I'd recommend his work in a heartbeat.
(I've never had dealings with him personally though)
 
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