MIcarta Difference?

BilboBaggins

BilboBaggins

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Feb 14, 2016
Messages
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At some point I'll be picking up a large canvas micarta insingo. In looking at the pictures on different retailers, there seems to be a huge difference in the color of the micarta. Some look almost black and others seem to be a very light grey. Is this merely a function of the pictures they have up or are there actual differences? Any information is greatly appreciated.
 
Have seen color gradations from CRK, but after carrying awhile it darkens up from the oils from your hands. I personally like the darker micarta look and put a light coat of ballistol on mine. See pic below between oiled and natural state.

A tooth brush and some Dawn detergent brings them back to factory new color.

37f3e7acbb39caeb2610959f5cb241b3.jpg
 
In my experience, CRK micarta has two distinct looks. One looks a little like wood grain, with a darker background and lines of lighter gray. The other is very wavy, and almost entirely gray. I prefer the wood grain micarta. I had to shop around a little to find these:



Here's an example of the wavy micarta:



As Iron City said, micarta will become very dark with use. Once darkened, both types of micarta look nearly identical. I like to clean mine so it keeps that wood grain look, but to each his own.
 
Anarchy84 said:
In my experience, CRK micarta has two distinct looks. One looks a little like wood grain, with a darker background and lines of lighter gray. The other is very wavy, and almost entirely gray. I prefer the wood grain micarta. I had to shop around a little to find these:



Here's an example of the wavy micarta:



As Iron City said, micarta will become very dark with use. Once darkened, both types of micarta look nearly identical. I like to clean mine so it keeps that wood grain look, but to each his own.
Click to expand...

These pics really capture the difference in what I've been seeing. Are there particular retailers that use one type or the other? I like the wood grain look too. Thanks everyone!!!
 
BilboBaggins said:
These pics really capture the difference in what I've been seeing. Are there particular retailers that use one type or the other? I like the wood grain look too. Thanks everyone!!!
Click to expand...

It's pretty much luck of the draw I believe. Most dealers will be happy to look through a couple knives to help you find what you're looking for.
 
It's interesting how we all have different tastes! I've had my pre Idaho made "wood grain" look sebenza for years now and prefer the wavey micarta.
 
Don't worry about the color, if it's too light and you want it darker, use the knife and it will darken. If it's too dark, clean it with hot water and a dab of dishsoap and it will lighten up.

Anarchy84 said:
In my experience, CRK micarta has two distinct looks. One looks a little like wood grain, with a darker background and lines of lighter gray. The other is very wavy, and almost entirely gray. I prefer the wood grain micarta. I had to shop around a little to find these:
Click to expand...

It depends on how the block of micarta is oriented when they cut it. I believe that the "wavy" is looking at the ends of the strips of fabric stacked up in the epoxy, the "wood grain" is looking at one strip of canvas.
 
From what I understand CRK added a natural micarta recently, which is available with the Inkosi.
The micarta used on the small and large Sebenzas is the same used on the fixed blades (GB, Pacific).
It depends how it is cut from the block and the lightning can also alter the appearance.
While I can confirm it get's dark from use, I haven't been able to invert the effect.
I'd love a large 21 with the blonde micarta - Insingo style of course. ;)
 
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