Micarta Handle

B

Buckles

Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
545
After seeing some of the custom handles some members made for the Izula i got to looking into some different materials. I think i have decided to try Micarta. I found it pretty cheap on ebay, but i have no idea how to work with the stuff. Anyone have any experience with shaping it? Or have any suggestions on another material that would work well for an Izula handle.
 
I dont have any experience with micarta but Ive heard it is fairly easy to work. Ive seen people putting finger grooves in with Dremels.

charge
 
Be safe about it and use a respirator. You wouldn't want to breathe in fine resin, plastic particles.
 
harkamus said:
Be safe about it and use a respirator. You wouldn't want to breathe in fine resin, plastic particles.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I forgot about that. I am a woodworker so breathing protection should have been on my mind when i posted previously.

charge
 
Micarta isn't bad at all. It's tough and dense but will shape nicely. I only have a 1x42 grinder so it clogs my belts fast but sharp belts are important with it. The finished product, in my opinion, is worth the effort.

That being said, I think some G10 scales would be awesome (though significantly harder to shape). Micarta can take a beating but G10 is about indestructible...
 
I used G10 because what I had was thinner than the Micarta I had, so I figured the less grinding I had to do on that stuff, the better.

My band saw blade at the time was a well used 6 tpi and the G10 pretty much finished it. I've since bought a 18 tpi and it cuts the stuff so much better.

After that, you work it just like you would wood....show us some pix when you git r done!
 
If you get g10, it's even more prudent to use a respirator. g10 particulate has been known to coat the cilia lining of the lungs which can lead to cancer.
 
so where do yall get your g10 and micarta? right now ebay is the only place ive really been looking. Also where could i find the hardward to hold these on the knife?
 
I have purchased some from knifekits.com they have g-10 and micarta in asst'd colors and sizes. also a lot of different hardware
 
Micarta is not too hard to work with. It is easier on the tools than G10 or G11. It works just fine with a 1/30 belt sander. Or hand sander, or files. Just takes time to work by hand. If you are working it by hand, you can also wet sand it to cut down on dust. Masks are a must with G10, G11, and with Micarta too.
 
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