Micarta handle Maintenance ( Staining )

B

bmc2902

Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
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First of all, great forum! Thanks for the wealth of information.

I recently purchased an ESEE-3 with the grey Micarta handle(my first knife with this handle material) and while I was working in the garage I set the knife down and now one half of one side of the handle is stained dark with WD-40. I dont think it will affect the performance but am not sure.

Is their anyway to remove the stain?
Will it wear off in time?
Does this material require any kind of standard maintenance?

Thanks in advance for any help
 
I don't know the answer to the question, but I like inadvertent stains on knives (handles and patina on blades). They add character to my knives. My wife left my BRKT Aurora sitting in some onions while we were camping and they left a funky looking patina on that blade - I want to use it more than ever.
 
Maybe try to clean them with some dish soap and warm water (not hot). If that doesn't work stain the other slab to match :D
 
Dish soap should work if not it may fade with time .Most of the time the slabs will get darker and take on a more polished look over time it is nothing to worry about.
 
I'm not sure how an oil stain would be able to impact performance? Micarta is porous because of the organic fibers (canvase being cotton based). I would try a degreasing agent, like Dawn soap or something. Other than that, don't worry about it.
 
Wimp. :D J/K.
I have no idea how to remove the stain. try polishing a small section and see what it does. other than that, find what you set it in and do the other side.
 
The oil can only penetrate the first layer of fabric, not into the glue/epoxy. The dishsoap will take care of it, or hand soap. Lots of hot water can cause delamination of the layers, so no dishwasher.
Even if you coat the micarta in WD40, oils, fats, blood, all of it will rinse off, and eventually dry. Some micarta gets waxed and polished, a rough canvas micarta will smooth out with use, get dirty, look used, and that's how it goes.
 
If I really want to clean my micarta, I use hot water, dish soap and an old toothbrush. This has worked for anything I've encountered thus far.
 
Many people ask what you discovered... "How do I bring out the color in my micarta scales?" some use WD40 to do that. Post up a photo of your knife if you have not cleaned or covered the rest of the scales with WD40 then another once you have chosen what route you take, would be cool to see b4 and after shots.
 
I have many knives with Micarta handles. I actually give them a light coating of oil to brig out the detail and colors on a regular basis. When left untreated the Micarta can get chalky or have small white scrapes across it from abrasions. Not to mention spotty from oil on my hand. A light coating takes all of that away. Wipe off all the excess and your good to go. The oil will dry out after a while. This coating of oil, for me, happens quite often naturally on its own. I am a locksmith by trade so my hands come into contact with oil all the time. Through use, I transfer this oil on my hands to the handles on the knife. Oil will last longer than the WD40 will. I've had no problem with the oil transferring to my clothes either. Just make sure to wipe the handles off all the way after your done coating them lightly. The only oil that is really needed for this effect, is the oil that penetrates that first canvas layer.
 
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