Hey Bruce! Yeah, It can be a pain some times. I like a very high finish on the micartas other than when I'm doing up a tactical. It can come out looking like glass. Luckily being Micarta, it still has grip. Here is what works for me.
I use slack belting techniques rather than hand sanding, unless in a tight spot that I can't get to any other way. When in the finer grits, 400-600 etc., if not on a variable grinder, I spray the belt with water, or w-d40. The w-d last longer on the belt, but man, what a mess. I finish off the fittings with a 15 micron belt when using 416/ss guards and bolts. From there straight t the high speed buffer. You want high 3450 rpm buffer for this. )The 1700 rpm types tend to dig in). I use a very hard muslin wheel with a touch of black compound. This takes out any missed scratches. A light pressure is all that is required. This Will do the final blending, and start the polish on the fittings. From here, straight to a hard buff with green or white. This will glaze the micarta in to a very slick sheen. You can find any unwanted scratches at this point. The white is a bit finner, and less messy. Works better on Ivory an stag to keep the green color out as well.
Finally to the white RCH on a very soft buff. Still at high rpm. Very light pressure. Seems that higher RPM rides over the surface more easily rather that trying to wrap around the fittings and throwing the knife at the wall. Or you! The softer wheel leaves the soft high shine we love so much.
As you know, I work Green and Black Mic more than any other handle material here in the Lovett shop. It isn't a very finicky material to work. You can use all the different steps of hand sanding, but it takes a lot longer, and without any increase in quality of finish. In fact it usually doesn't come out as well as a nicely slack belted handle. Everything just flows together. No ridges, or sharp edges.
Bruce, I hope this helps! Mike and Manuela
