Question About Micarta Scales

[Harley Boatman]

Hey guys, hope everyone is doing well!

I'm in the process of hand sanding some G-carta and I've realized I'm not too sure how to proceed. I took the blade up to a 600 grit hand rubbed finish, and right now I'm at 600 on the scales. I'm planning on bringing the scales up to 1200. Obviously I'm gonna get some 800, 1000, and 1200 scratches on the tang as I finish the scales, and I don't really want a mirror finish on the tang/spine. What do you guys usually do on the tang when you use micarta scales? Is there a way to bring the tang back to 600 without screwing up the scales?

Also, I've got a bunch of voids where there's no epoxy/resin stuff in between the layers of fabric. I'm hoping it'll just give some unique character, but if it ends up looking funky, will Axe Wax fill in those voids or will I have to do something else before I finish with Axe Wax?


Thanks!

 

[Skiller1nc]

I would use a hard backer to sand the spine back to 600 grit, just a few even strokes won't effect the micarta. As for the voids I would fill with super glue and sand them back flush.

 

[Hengelo_77]

Yes, cut a strip of 600 paper the with of the spine and sand it between the scales

 

[Taz]

I haven't found any bubbles in the pieces of G Carta I have used so far? Burlap will sometimes have more air bubbles to it, so it may depend on the fabric used? CA glue will work to fill those.

 

[john april]

i could not get a good finish on gcarta. i went to 1000 as i usually go with micarta, but it would not shine like micarta. then i went to 2000, and then 3000, same thing. next time i will give it a coat of ca glue before buffing.

 

[Scaniaman]

What John April said. I made a few knives with stuff like that. Voids and tear outs. Won't polish.
Go with Norplex and the like, industrial quality.

 

[Skiller1nc]

Just to clarify, by G-carta do you mean the gl Hansen stuff?

 

[john april]

yes.

 

[Harley Boatman]

Yeah I do mean the stuff from G.L. Hansen. To be fair, it was part of an auction he posted on instagram for flawed pieces. The other pieces I've got from him didn't have any voids.

I just finished with 1000 a few minutes ago. Should I do the superglue before I start on 1200? Or am I going to need to go back to a heavier grit for the glue?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Apply the glue and let it set up. Go back to 400-600 and work your way back up. Repeat glue and 400-600 until every pore and void is filled.