Old Micarta: Westinghouse "The Original High Pressure Plastic Laminate"

Looks like really beautiful stuff. (The pics look like they could be in an art gallery:D)
 
Wulf said:
Cool macro shots, Kimberlin - thanks for posting.

Daizee, is the East German material you have called Novotex? Or maybe Textolit? And is it a reddish brown color? Novotex was used in the automotive industry here as far back as the 1930s. Very cool stuff
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Oh, it's in barrel-stave-shaped pieces that were part of a bushing for a rudder bearing. There's no branding of any sort. It's kind of a yellowish greenish brown. Probably not dyed at all. And it's REALLY hard.
 
is that what's on your avatar knife? Just checked out the fulls pics on your website - looks awesome!
 
Wulf said:
is that what's on your avatar knife? Just checked out the fulls pics on your website - looks awesome!
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Thanks, but no, that's standard brown/natural stuff from the 'store'.
I'll try to remember to post some pictures in this thread when I get back to the shop in a few weeks.
 
rcetroy said:
Looks like really beautiful stuff. (The pics look like they could be in an art gallery:D)
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Thank you. Yeah it's cool to see it in this form.

I also hope to document some completed projects in the future that could reveal some interesting grains and layers.
 
The Westinghouse "W" Logo in this image was taken from a canvas micarta pulley that had been painted green many years ago.

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Kimberlin said:
Very cool! It would have been awesome to try documenting micarta variants years ago.

I feel like there were some really unique colors which might have been in such short supply that they're rarely ever seen after all this time.
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These particular pulleys are for aircraft cables. They are pre-WWII and can be dated by the use of brass used in the bushing. During and post-WWII the brass was replaced with aluminum.
 
Here's some old butterscotch that I used recently on this historic reproduction in place of ivory:

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Gary
 
These pics have really piqued my interest. I've thought about using a very light colored/cream white micarta, but haven't found a block big enough yet. Need something for a big hidden tang bowie/chopper. Any suggestions on where to look?
 
the possum said:
These pics have really piqued my interest. I've thought about using a very light colored/cream white micarta, but haven't found a block big enough yet. Need something for a big hidden tang bowie/chopper. Any suggestions on where to look?
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Keep looking! Here's to hoping you find something suitable for your project.
 
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