Micarta question.

[ManRay]

So, my question is as follows: Would you liken the pattern on micarta to a fingerprint? Meaning are any 2 hand ground pieces of micarta exactly the same? What i'm really wanting to know is do you think these two pictures are of the same knife.

 

[gazz98]

I'm no expert on micarta but I do know some are polished and some aren't. Some are oiled (WD 40 is popular IIRC) and some aren't. Polished micarta is more glossy and unpolished is more "unrefined" and hazy looking. Oiling can darken them too.

If I had to guess, I would say the top is polished and maybe oiled, bottom is unpolished with no oil. The lighting could effect it tho too. Same knife? Looks like it.

Someone more experienced will be along shortly. Hopefully I didn't make a total a$$ out of myself with this answer.

 

[ATJ999]

It looks like they are the same, but the top one has oil from people handling it. My Micarta gets darker over time from the oil on my hands. It also gets lighter if I scrub the knife down with soap and water, once the oils get washed away.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Scales look identical but there are a couple of marks on the blade that do not appear on the other photo. Could be just smudge on one. Hard to tell.
As for the color differences, looks like it is due more to different lighting and exposure to me. Colors are shifted on the entire photo, not just the scales.

 

[ManRay]

Seller has confirmed it is the same knife. Confusion cleared up. Thanks all!