Polyester or an epoxy mycarta for DEET resistance?

[gomipile]

What type of mycarta resin would have the best resistance to DEET based insect repellents?

 

[Last Visible Canary]

g10 and g11 (g10 with melamine added for self extinguishing properties) are both 'chemically resistant'. Because it's resin and fiber glass, neither material takes up moisture or will hold the chemical for extended periods of time. Both do not discolor with kerosene or bleach. My biggest concern with micarta's is the fabrics used, all of which can take up some amount of a chemical and hold it becuase they are fibrous in nature, expecially heavy fibers like burlap, denim, and canvas.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/570462-Deet

I can't wait until nootkatone becomes a readily available repellant, because it's gonna be soooooooo much nicer to use than deet. It's octapamine, something we don't have receptors for thats common in grapefruit. In insects, it's the equivelant to adrenaline, it attacks the receptors for it causing them to shake to death.
http://www.npr.org/2011/04/18/135468567/repelling-bugs-with-the-essence-of-grapefruit

 

[CWL]

Chemically, DEET will eat away at polyester.

 

[avidknifeusersf]

It doesnt answer your question, but I've had very good results with Permethrin repellent. I've used it on a ton of gear for a couple years now and have had 0 problems.

 

[gomipile]

So G10 doesn't get eaten away by DEET? I'm looking for a handle material for a knife for my nephew. He and his family use DEET a lot while fishing, etc.

 

[Brian Sargent]

So G10 doesn't get eaten away by DEET?

I've used Deet but not a lot.

I seriously doubt it will harm G-10 or phenolic resin laminate.

If it did it would eat your skin.

 

[CWL]

DEET isn't like Alien blood that will burn through everything it touches.

If you stay away from compounds containing nylon & polyester your gear should be fine. DEET will likely do more damage to synthetic clothing than your knife grips because material is thinner and can absorb the compound while it is being dissolved. Even if you get some on your knives or even Kydex sheaths, it probably won't do much more than cloud the material. Yes, it will be ugly, but it isn't a product failure.

 

[gomipile]

I had a polymer rifle magazine completely ruined by DEET once, so I'm trying to be cautious.

 

[CWL]

I had a polymer rifle magazine completely ruined by DEET once, so I'm trying to be cautious.

How much DEET did you get on it? That mag was probably made from Nylon 6.

 

[Mannlicher]

in all my years of messing around afield, I have never heard of a knife handle, or anything else, being harmed by a little insect spray. Just saying................

 

[mtangent]

As far as the resin is concerned, epoxy is more stable & less permeable than polyester, by a long shot.