Micarta mods

[mr.axl81]

Howdy CRKers,

Just purchased a small lefty insingo micarta. When I ordered I pleaded with the staff to pick out micarta inserts that were as grey as possible (I think I'm amongst the minority that likes really grey scales). When I got the knife it was flawless except the scales are pretty black. If I scrub them up they get kind of grey but turn black as soon as I touch them. Does anybody know of a micarta mod or treatment to grey them up a bit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Alex

 

[kidcongo]

Howdy CRKers,

Just purchased a small lefty insingo micarta. When I ordered I pleaded with the staff to pick out micarta inserts that were as grey as possible (I think I'm amongst the minority that likes really grey scales). When I got the knife it was flawless except the scales are pretty black. If I scrub them up they get kind of grey but turn black as soon as I touch them. Does anybody know of a micarta mod or treatment to grey them up a bit?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Alex

For starters, it's a losing battle, so unless you plan on never using the knife, I would give up now. It's called 'black' Micarta for a reason.

However, if you insist on chasing that nice grey look, you can rub the surface with isopropyl alcohol (don't drench it - just wipe it), and you will get pretty good results. Windex works ok too, but not as good.

CRK can re-blast a micarta inlayed scale to return it to brand-new as well.

My advice: give up, and start to focus your appreciation on the great useful design of the knife instead. Ultimately using the knife daily will foster a greater affection for the knife than having it look pretty.

 

[Corytr]

+1 for the isopropyl alcohol. I use a dipped Q-tip or one of those alcohol wipes on mine.

It is hard to start using a CRK sometimes and take it out of its brand new state. The thing is, they are made to use! Get out there and mark it up a bit. Soon enough, you will probably find that you don't really care so much about keeping it pristine. Every mark, scuff, etc will have it's own story. It will be YOUR knife.

In the end, CRK can always make it look new again if you want them to.

 

[socom1970]

I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but I suppose if you use hydrogen peroxide (less harsh) or bleach (more harsh), you might lighten up the micarta. Maybe dilute each one first to see the diluted effects first, then go less diluted or not at all if the micarta isn't light enough for you. I have never done this to my micartas (nor would I), but as the micarta is fabric-based, bleaching it might work.

All that said, I would leave it alone and use it as others have suggested. :thumbup:

Either way, good luck.

 

[kidcongo]

I can't believe I'm suggesting this, but I suppose if you use hydrogen peroxide (less harsh) or bleach (more harsh), you might lighten up the micarta. Maybe dilute each one first to see the diluted effects first, then go less diluted or not at all if the micarta isn't light enough for you. I have never done this to my micartas (nor would I), but as the micarta is fabric-based, bleaching it might work.

All that said, I would leave it alone and use it as others have suggested. :thumbup:

Either way, good luck.

The colour in Micarta is from the colour of the resin, not the fabric, so unless the bleach is going to lighten the resin, I don't think youd see a permanent change. I'd be worried myself that the bleach would turn the resin some weird blotchy colour, but hey, if you get good results, I'd be interested to see........fingers crossed

 

[spyderg]

I've got a Boker Pipsqueak that has a really nice green micarta scale, until I use it of course. Then it gets so dark it's almost black! The best "solution" I've found is to wipe it down with a rag with some lighter fluid which lightens it right up. Next I spray some boot/leather protector from footlocker on it. It seems to keep the oils from my hands off it for a while keeping the lighter color for a while.