Non-Toxic Handle Material

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KrabbyKakes

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Jun 22, 2013
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I am going to make some gift knives for family this Christmas, but I have run into a problem. It seems like all of the big scale material is toxic (G10, Micarta, Carbon Fiber). I can go buy a respirator no problem but my dog lives outside so I can't have our back yard governed in glass fiber dust.

So far, all I have seen is Kirinite, wood, and Tero-Tuf. I just made some with kirinite, but I think that the people I am making them for wouldn't like the flashy, multi colored patterns. I would love to use wood for the handles, but my sheath making set up is kydex, not leather. Now forgive me if I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that someone said that kydex would scratch up wood. As for Tero-Tuf, I have never used it.

So, if anybody knows of a different material I could use, or how to keep the sanding dust to a minimum, it would be greatly appreciated!

-Kris
 
It's not the toxicity of the material, it's the particle size that makes it dangerous.


Once you turn that stuff, or wood into a fine dust it gets deeply into your lungs and causes damage.

Vaccum it up, wet sand it, let the wind blow it away,
 
Oh, I always thought that the resin phenolics from micarta made it toxic, and the small glass fibers made G10 toxic. Does that mean that G10 would be safe to use in a backyard?
 
Leather, antler, and wood. All particals are theoretically bad things to inhale. But the more natural they are the better.

Antler powder and the velvety skin on them has been used in Asian medicine for many years. That doesn't make it great, but definitely puts it in contrast to g-10.

Edit: just in case I wasn't clear, filter your air for health. Wear a resiprator. Its worth it.
 
When you say leather I assume you mean a stacked leather handle when you say leather. The more I think about it, the more I want to use wood.
 
Google for the MSDS of G-10. It will explain the product.
 

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Kydex can't scratch two things. Something that is harder that it is. And it can't scratch what it doesn't contact.
 
Does that mean if I get some really hardwood like ironwood, the kydex wouldn't scratch the finish?
 
I doubt that it will stay perfect with a lot of contact. Even water wears down stone.

But with some attention, and caution, I think you could mate wood and kydex without the one destroying the other.

I have never really minded a little wear on my knives. I would be more concerned about them looking weird. Like matching classic with modern design features.
 
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You make a very good point. Black kydex would look really dumb with some polished wood. I might just purchase some leather and make pouch style sheaths. They seem nice and simple to make.
 
Micarta isn't toxic once the resin has cured at the manufacturer. The components of the uncured phenolic resin are kind of nasty according to the MSDS, but the cured product is benign. I confirmed this with my Father-In-Law who is a PhD chemist with 35 years of experience in polymers.

Don't breathe the dust from micarta, but don't worry about its toxicity.

TedP
 
Coco bolo can be very bad on some makers including myself. Over a few years I developed a huge allergy to it. Frank
 
The micarta news is good to hear. Does that mean I should be fine with a simple dust mask and not a full respirator? I can buy one if I need but $30 is a good bit for a high school students income ($0 a year). I also new that some woods are toxic, especially stabilized woods. I might have to keep my projects simple for the time being.
 
KrabbyKakes said:
The micarta news is good to hear. Does that mean I should be fine with a simple dust mask and not a full respirator? I can buy one if I need but $30 is a good bit for a high school students income ($0 a year). I also new that some woods are toxic, especially stabilized woods. I might have to keep my projects simple for the time being.
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I would just get the respirator now. you can make do with certain disposables, but you'll get a much better protection with half mask. you can skimp on some stuff but don't skimp on safety.
 
I am going to buy one with my Christmas money. Football season is over so I have plenty of time after school and I am hoping to start making and selling on here. How often do you need to change filters in respirators by the way?
 
KrabbyKakes said:
I am going to buy one with my Christmas money. Football season is over so I have plenty of time after school and I am hoping to start making and selling on here. How often do you need to change filters in respirators by the way?
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You change the filters when they are clogged and it's harder to breathe in than it was when they were new.

If you're doing it outside, they should last a long time - just stay upwind.

There are pre-filters that you can put over the cartridges for extended life.
 
Do you mean toxic or allergenic ?? My favorite finish is stabilized [acrylic].But if you sand etc you'll get the acrylic + wood dust.You really need to research dust removal . A very high efficiency filter with particles going into water of perhaps a vacuum. Shop Vac and others make special vacuums with HEPA filters and other good systems.
 
phillipsted said:
Micarta isn't toxic once the resin has cured at the manufacturer. The components of the uncured phenolic resin are kind of nasty according to the MSDS, but the cured product is benign. I confirmed this with my Father-In-Law who is a PhD chemist with 35 years of experience in polymers.

Don't breathe the dust from micarta, but don't worry about its toxicity.

TedP
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I completely agree. Grinding Micarta with a high speed belt grinder can release the formaldehyde from the resin by breaking it down with heat, but the dust itself is not toxic. A P100 rated respirator is a must for any handle shaping, and you should use organic vapor cartridges that are rated for formaldehyde if grinding on Micarta.

But, the dust in the yard won't hurt your dog. G-10 has glass fibers which might be more of a problem if not hosed down well and watered down into the soil under the grass.
G-10 isn't really a good beginner product anyway, so stick with stabilized wood and Micarta and you will be fine.
 
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