Miscellaneous handle material suggestions

[Michael Bennett]

Can anyone comment on the practicality of working/finishing some of the following potential handle materials, and how "good" you'd think that they would be for handles, either as slabs or as solid handles. MSC is MSC Industrial Supply Company (800) 645 7270. I've referenced their cotton and linen phenolic ("micarta") prices for comparison:

Grade C/CE Canvas Laminate Sheet Phenolic Laminates - MSC 12"x12"x.375" is $18.28

Grade L/LE Linen Laminate Sheet Phenolic Laminates - MSC 12"x12"x.375" is $25.90

Nylon 6/6 - MSC sells for $5.81 for a 3/4"x1"x12" block.

Opaque Black Acrylic - MSC sells plates $5.29 for 12"x12"x.25" sheet.

Natural Acetal (Delrin) MSC 1"x1"x12" is $12.57

Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene - MSC 12"x12"x1" for $20.46

Thanks for your input.


Mike

 

[george tichbourne]

Mike
All of the phenolic materials are usable and will finish well but the smell of phenolic is not very nice. Use ventilation.
The plastics nylon, acrylic and PE present some problems in gluing in place. Delerin finishes, carves and glues well.


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george
www.tichbourneknives.com
sales@tichbourneknives.com

 

[Kevin Wilkins]

Hi Mike,

does MSC have a website?

Thanks

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www.wilkins-knives.com

 

[Michael Bennett]

George,

Thanks for the input. With respect to Nylon - are you saying that it has problems gluing with respect to slabs, or as whole handles?


Kevin,

MSC's web page is www.mscdirect.com - note that I'm not associated with them, other than being a customer. Personally, I think you'd be better served to call them and order their catalog - about 4" thick. It comes with a CD-ROM. I just got mine.

Mike