Maintenance questions (cleaning sweat from micarta scales and tang)

ferider said:
I guess Micarta is not equal Micarta...
Click to expand...

That seems to be the case! I used to use canvas micarta for kitchen knives, because it had a finish like porcelain or glass and it held up to tomato juice and hot water. A lot of the stuff I see today doesn't look completely resin-saturated, and it feels great but maybe it requires a little after-market care.

I need to buy some paper micarta, to see if it still has that elegant, ivory-like finish that I remember. That stuff finished up like a piece of jewelry and it shed water, oil, sweat, like a seal!
 
Last edited:
SharpBits said:
Instead of going through all of that, consider switching to a Spyderco Salt knife. They are designed to sit in salt water without corrosion. Your sweat has got nothing on the ocean.
Click to expand...
While I understand the idea, and I've also considered it. My location is quite restrictive. I cant really settle for the price given the specs and my length limits. I can buy a couple budget blades and use them to learn these skills more effectively. I'm still somewhat new to knives and just looking for a way to tackle my problem, not to buy a new knife. Not to say this is a bad idea, It just doesn't help me learn these skills for the future.
 
FixieFanatic said:
While I understand the idea, and I've also considered it. My location is quite restrictive. I cant really settle for the price given the specs and my length limits. I can buy a couple budget blades and use them to learn these skills more effectively. I'm still somewhat new to knives and just looking for a way to tackle my problem, not to buy a new knife. Not to say this is a bad idea, It just doesn't help me learn these skills for the future.
Click to expand...
What are the restrictions and what is your budget?
 
SharpBits said:
What are the restrictions and what is your budget?
Click to expand...
My budget tends not to be over $75, most of my knives are considered budget knives and I'll readily admit that. My blade length limit is about as low as it get in the states, so not many options, but more than anything, I'd like to use what I already have. I mainly came to figure out if isopropyl was harmful to micarta long term, as I didn't love the idea of water getting trapped between the tang and scales when rinsing daily. Since I heard micarta was porous to some degree, and isopropyl evaporates quickly.
 
If you keep the pivot oiled and only disassemble a couple of times of year for a thorough cleaning, you should be fine. I’m assuming your knife has a stainless steel blade.

I don’t think either sweat or isopropyl alcohol will damage micarta.
 
If you epoxy the scales on, you wont need to worry. That will ensure a barrier whereby no moisture will get under scales. Even though micarta may absorb some moisture, it won't penetrate to the lower levels and even if it could, the epoxy would keep it away from the steel
 
The material.in the.phenolic material itself is what absorbs minimal amounts or your hand spooge...😉
Canvas and linen along with that burlap being the worst offender if you look at it that way......
Just add.personality in my mind.....😁. To each.their own....😉
 
We had a thread years ago where a forum member soaked Micarta samples in various liquids, water, gasoline, other solvents for WEEKS. No absorption by the Micarta.
 
I would just use WD40 and blow it out with compressed air. It's a water displacement fluid and cleans up my knives well. Its fast and easy. I dont sweat much on my knives though. You could oil the pivot afterwards.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top