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Looking for orange or yellow Micarta
- Thread starter Seedy Lot
- Start date
Thanks, did not know about this company.
A word of advice, orange micarta doesnt finish as nice as other micarta colors in my opinion. Needs to be oiled and re oiled to get and keep that orange lustre one wants. At least what I have been using, I guess something like GL Hansen.
When it comes to orange I think G10 is the way to go.
Maybe if Norplex made an orange micarta I'd give it a second try.
When it comes to orange I think G10 is the way to go.
Maybe if Norplex made an orange micarta I'd give it a second try.
Good point, thank you. I have started to only use Ultrex Micarta and I am a little leery of epoxy based scales. The grime factor for the boutique scales is something I have not thought of.
Hengelo_77
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Bright orange/yellow Micarta...the unicorn of handle materials! 
How long before orange or yellow will change to brown?
I used some natural Micarta that when newly sanded was very yellow, but over time and exposure to UV it darkened to a khaki brown. I am told that Tufnol, which is a natural yellowy brown when first worked will eventually darken to a dark brown, I have seen examples of this in older knives. The red Micarta that I have seen and used has invariably changed to maroon over time. The only way to restore the as-worked color is to re-surface; sand down and re-finish. Seems to be the nature of the phenolic resin, it darkens with UV and time.
Will the customer be happy if the appearance changes over time? If I thought I was going to have a bright, high visibility, yellow or orange handle forever and within 5 years it had toned down, I would be quite disappointed. I would prefer to have my expectations adjusted from the outset.
Would there by any mileage in suggesting a laminated or stacked G10 / Micarta handle. Use just enough G10 to give the long term bright color, but not so much as to increase the weight or change the feel too much? I think Aaron Gough and Fiddleback Forge have examples of this sort of construction.
Best of luck
Chris
How long before orange or yellow will change to brown?
I used some natural Micarta that when newly sanded was very yellow, but over time and exposure to UV it darkened to a khaki brown. I am told that Tufnol, which is a natural yellowy brown when first worked will eventually darken to a dark brown, I have seen examples of this in older knives. The red Micarta that I have seen and used has invariably changed to maroon over time. The only way to restore the as-worked color is to re-surface; sand down and re-finish. Seems to be the nature of the phenolic resin, it darkens with UV and time.
Will the customer be happy if the appearance changes over time? If I thought I was going to have a bright, high visibility, yellow or orange handle forever and within 5 years it had toned down, I would be quite disappointed. I would prefer to have my expectations adjusted from the outset.
Would there by any mileage in suggesting a laminated or stacked G10 / Micarta handle. Use just enough G10 to give the long term bright color, but not so much as to increase the weight or change the feel too much? I think Aaron Gough and Fiddleback Forge have examples of this sort of construction.
Best of luck
Chris