Micarta finish question

[andrew7978]

I have a question about Micarta. I have seen several finishes on black canvas Micarta. The first was just a solid finish (no grain). The second had those x-shaped grain common of micarta. When I made a knife handle out of this, the grain just ran the length of the handle in straight lines. The other two finishes seem more interesting to me, but I can't figure out how to get them.

Thanks for the help.

 

[J. Rosa]

Are you referring to how the micarta is sculpted making swells for the palm and flaring towards the front and back end? If I read you correctly the "X" pattern should come up with sculpting swells into the micarta and may show more easily with more of a coarse finish. All it is doing is showing the layers of material trapped inthe resin from a more aggressive angle.

 

[Patrickknives]

It sounds like your micarta was cut from the block edge wise. Seems you are seeing the edges of the fabric rather than the flat surface.

 

[NickWheeler]

Plus, don't forget there is a huge difference in the pattern you'll see depending on what the reinforcing fiber is in the micarta: paper, linen, or canvas.

IMHO, canvas gives the most interesting pattern, but is usually a bit more stubborn when it comes to getting a nice finish on it.