Recommendation? Micarta Finnishing

Travis Talboys

Travis Talboys

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Messages
442
Greetings everyone. I am in the process of finishing a linen micarta handle, and I was hoping I could get some suggestions on how far to sand it. I typically take my handles to 1500 then buff, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that some people don't care for micarta that smooth. I don't use micarta very often, so I would love to hear from those that do.

Thanks,
Travis
 
Sand to 600, then buff with brown tripoli. For even more shine use a finishing compound after that.
 
Same....about 600. 400 even occasionally. I will oil it with mineral oil and then once dry, seal it with wax to give it a shine.

However, on a personal sujihiki, I left the micarta at 120, and I love it, but not everyone likes it that rough. Uh.....that came out wrong. Not everyone likes it that coarse!
 
High finished micarta can be beautiful.
Take it to 2000 and then micro mesh it up to 12.000
It makes is shiny, smooth and beautiful
 
Stuart Davenport Knives said:
Same....about 600. 400 even occasionally. I will oil it with mineral oil and then once dry, seal it with wax to give it a shine.

However, on a personal sujihiki, I left the micarta at 120, and I love it, but not everyone likes it that rough. Uh.....that came out wrong. Not everyone likes it that coarse!
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Choice is between shiny, smooth and beautiful or handle with good grip . I will always choose GRIP ! Knives are for use not to stare at them :)
 
Natlek said:
Choice is between shiny, smooth and beautiful or handle with good grip . I will always choose GRIP ! Knives are for use not to stare at them :)
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I also choose grip, I usually go to 320 on the belt and then buffing, its a good balance IMHO

Pablo
 
I am in the 120 grit camp but I guess I not making high end cutlery but tools meant to be used. Many of my clients have liked the grippier Micarta that they have taken 120 sand paper to their highly polished handles, grip trumps shiny smooth in outdoor use.
 
Scaniaman said:
Polished micarta has a nice tacky feel/grip.
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I agree , but not like 120 grit .If goal in custom knife making is to get maximum from steel same should be for handles , don t you think ? Why should I waste time to high polish any handle material I want firm grip , not shine handle to make it look better ?
 
An apple will never be an orange and both are good fruits.
Beauty can also be something to strive for. Some people buy a beautiful car because they like a beautiful car. Some people like a beautiful and good custom knife and like a comfortable, shiny handle.
Cheap fire wood will make a strong handle but most of us here will spend good money on beautiful handle materials because we like how they look. Might as well get the most out of it.
 
And many people rarely use their knives as tools but buy these high dollar collectables to put away in a safe or shelf to show off to others.

Micarta in my opinion shines when grippy.
 
Another option if the blade has a stonewash finish, is to tumble it again once the handle is done. I’ve gotten pretty good results from doing this, plus it’s quick and easy if that’s what your going for.
 
Thanks everybody. I decided to sand up to 600 grit, then a light oiling. It's smooth, but not so much as to create a grip issue.
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I go to 600 and Tung Oil as well for Micarta usually. Looks nice, has a matte sheen to it and feels good and grippy in the hand.
 
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