Micarta handle maintenance?

B

basb

Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
897
I just got a RTAK-2 and it rules, its a beast.
However, my sweat and body fats make the handles go dark brown. It seems its temporary, after it dries up the colour comes back. This evening i put some olive oil on the blade and some got on the handles. So far it seems be permanent. Not a big issue, but still.

How do you guys and galls keep the handles clean?
 
shampoo or dawn dish soap and a dead toothbrush - scrub, rinse, and let dry.
 
Mine get washed with dish washing liquid when I'm prepping food (before and after), at home anyway...other than that...what maintenance :)
 
ive never really washed the handles on any of my knives...i think i did read somewhere about dishsoap taking the "stickiness" off micarta.
 
well if it happens there can be 2 solutions - warranty or a ranger band. I think that JV had a thread recently with a Junglas and -4, both had ranger bands on them if i'm not mistaken
 
I'be tried cleaning with warm water, dishwasher soap and an old toothbrush. One side is clean as a whistle. The other side is still dark brown.... also the dark side has a very smooth surface, in contrast to the clean side which is very grippy as you'd expect from canvas.
The only thing I can think of is brake cleaner, if that doesn't damage the micarta.
 
cricketdave said:
i run mine through the dishwasher when there really bad. cleans them up like new.

cricket
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Thought of that, though i wasn't sure how tough micarta realy is. Guess its ok than :) Thanks

Any thoughts about agrassive cleaning agents, like brakecleaner on micarta?
 
basb said:
Thought of that, though i wasn't sure how tough micarta realy is. Guess its ok than :) Thanks

Any thoughts about agrassive cleaning agents, like brakecleaner on micarta?
Click to expand...

Micarta is extremely tough and stable. Dishwasher is most likely tougher on the blade coating than on the scales.

I personally wouldn't want to use any solvents on it like brake cleaner though.
 
go to your local bicycle shop they have a cleaner there called "clean streak" spray wait 2 seconds and vowla!!! super clean like new handles. Ive done it like 300 times and no problems yet.
 
basb said:
Thought of that, though i wasn't sure how tough micarta realy is. Guess its ok than :) Thanks

Any thoughts about agrassive cleaning agents, like brakecleaner on micarta?
Click to expand...


shotgunner11 said:
Micarta is extremely tough and stable. Dishwasher is most likely tougher on the blade coating than on the scales.

I personally wouldn't want to use any solvents on it like brake cleaner though.
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I read on an old thread that there were some tests done where micarta was soaked in solvents for excessive amounts of time and then set on fire with no damage to it what so ever! I think it is tougher than g10 in that respect but g10 sure can take a bit more shock(bashing etc).
 
basb said:
I just got a RTAK-2 and it rules, its a beast.
However, my sweat and body fats make the handles go dark brown. It seems its temporary, after it dries up the colour comes back. This evening i put some olive oil on the blade and some got on the handles. So far it seems be permanent. Not a big issue, but still.

How do you guys and galls keep the handles clean?
Click to expand...

I don't clean them. I just use them.

I don't clean my screwdriver or hammer handles either.:D
 
Somehow I've been seeing this question pop quite often recently. Maybe it would be a good idea to add this to the FAQ or sticky it like with that sharpening thread?
 
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