Micarta - When is it appropriate for use?

[butcher_block]

i may try the JB weld thing (maybe ) but i ll give it another shot or 2. the grinds are flat ground not flat to the spine but flat none the less. i agree i can use work on the crisp grind line but i seem to loose it when hand sanding.
im not sure how i could have set these up with out making the "mycarta"
again not a true collectible but not a full tang non bolster job ether

 

[Kohai999]

i may try the JB weld thing (maybe ) but i ll give it another shot or 2. the grinds are flat ground not flat to the spine but flat none the less. i agree i can use work on the crisp grind line but i seem to loose it when hand sanding.
im not sure how i could have set these up with out making the "mycarta"
again not a true collectible but not a full tang non bolster job ether
[/IMG]

That looks really nice, have you ever tried the micarta washers, like they use at SOG?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[thombrogan]

If phenolics become acceptable on non-Loveless/Lovett collectables, Lloyd Harner and Mark Nelson will be why.

In the meantime, I can't stop thinking "that handle is so beautiful and yet it's made out of pants and super-glue. I'm surprized Depression-era knifemakers didn't do the same."

 

[butcher_block]

green and black canvas thank you ahahahaha i ll keep my pants for now thank you look for bluejeans on a hunter at some point tho and no super glue is not in it
and no even i don't think true high end stuff should be made with "mycarta" there are other ways to add color you just have to work harder

now i guess CF and some other exotic handle scales could be used but it would have to be just right

 

[ThreeWorlds]

No - why should it be? I have seen (pictures of) knives by Jurgen Steinau with inlays of countless materials, including many synthetic. I have also seen knives using bakelite, carbon fiber, or even glass...

Well, I must admit I wasn't really thinking of Jurgen Steinau when I was turning that thought around in my head. He's amazing, but I would say his style is more modern art deco, rather than the more "classic" looking knives previously displayed here.

My point was that the previous discussion up to this point (as I understood it) mainly consisted of "Micarta OR stag/wood/ivory" with some people arguing that stag and wood are more better looking, more premium materials and should be chosen for that reason, some people saying that micarta is preferable only on Loveless style knives, and others (such as yourself) saying that micarta is always acceptable as long as it complements the knife. But, it doesn't seem like people would say the same thing about, for example, carbon fiber. Is carbon fiber acceptable on a Loveless/Lovett knife? A chute knife? A subhilt? Any of the previously examples of well-done micarta? Or would it seriously hurt the value and/or aesthetics of those knives?

 

[Joss]

I wouldn't have a problem with a bakelite- or carbon fiber-handled Chute. With this said, I have no doctrinal issues with using synthetic materials on high end customs, but most synthetic materials are not that interesting to look at. I for one find the antique yellow "ivory" micarta atrocious to look at. Carbon fiber and micarta have an interesting grain to them at least.

 

[straitshot]

This one seems to come fairly easy to me. One of the lures in collecting is to have an example of a pure dedicated type or design using the most appropriate materials for the intended use even though use will never be considered. Micarta (type) has become a signature for handles that are intended to withstand abuse if ever necessary. A fragile (comparatively) handle on a design dedicated to extraordinary use purposes would seem to run contrary to design parameters. It's the same mental process that causes some blade fanciers to enjoy seeing their favorite model ruthlessly abused to destruction. If the purpose of the creation is visual beauty, synthetic is inappropriate. If the perceived beauty is in the harmony of form, function, balance, and unfailing durability, synthetics can contribute to that goal.

Lately, I've been considering how long contemporary knives may last. I suspect that customs made for collectors (who protect and preserve) of stainless and synthetics, such as Micarta, may survive intact for countless thousands of years. They may become quite a timeless legacy from custom makers. And the maker of the knife could still be known. This intrigues me for some reason. I would start a thread on the question, but find my subjects of interest have a short half-life. Any thoughts? Regards, ss.