Question regarding shaping the micarta slabs

[Ad]

Is it OK the sand down portions of the micarta slabs in order to tailor a more comfortable grip for my hand? If so, what grit should I use? Thanks.

 

[Cliff Stamp]

I use a very coarse grit, in fact a rasp, when shaping as I like the extra traction. It wears down in use anyway, so I don't see a need for high polish. Some people really polish the Micarta (Dozier), I don't care for slick grips though.

-Cliff

 

[Ad]

Thank you.

 

[Jerry Busse]

Ad,

A great technique that we use is what we call the "shoe polish". You rip cloth backed emery paper (Auto dept. at Wal-Mart) into small 1/2 wide strips. You chuck the knife (blade end) into a vise (Cover with cardboard first) and then hold opposite ends of the 8" long by 1/2" wide strips and "shoe polish" the micarta. It rocks!

Use really coarse 60 grit or coarser to start and then finish with a 120 or 220g. Any finer and it will get pretty slippery.

Good luck,

Show us the pics when you're finished.


Jerry

 

[Ad]

Thanks. I don't have a vice but I think I can work it out somehow.

 

[Bobby B]

Originally posted by Ad
Thanks. I don't have a vice but I think I can work it out somehow.

Oh c'mon you do too have a vice... we all have one, it's called knife collecting!!!

Now the metal thing bolted to the bench to clamp the blade... that vise is a different story. You can pick up some "Quik clamps" at Home Depot (or similar) that might do the trick for ya...

 

[thatmguy]

If you have a bench to use, go get a C-clamp. Should be able to find for $5-10.

Let us know man.

Mike

 

[Ad]

Thanks, guys. I'm not a real handyman, but I'll work it out.

 

[Uncle Screwtape]

Abraham Lincoln said "Show me a man with no vice's, and I will show you a man with no virtue."

 

[Ad]

I guess I have lots of virtue, then.

 

[Strabs]

You don't need no stinking vice

Just hammer the blade into a (heavy) stump enough to hold it securely and polish away

I've used a dremel to reshape the edges of the Micarta, but Jerry's idea rocks! Who would have thunk it?

 

One time I smoothed out the handles of a Natural Outlaw with like 600 grit. It turned a dark black and had grey streaks in it. Looked like marble. then I sent back to jerry to have it bead blasted and he called and asked what the @%&*! happened to the handle. It wasn't really slick. I found a sweaty hand stuck to it like glue. Any way... play around with the grits you may like a 200 and something. You can always rough it back up. The finer you go the less handle material you remove so you got room to play. To knock off the corners on and E series handle I use a Dremel with about a 80 sanding drum. Set it to a medium speed and be careful. Sometimes you'll nick the coating but I never cared all my knives are users.

 

[Strabs]

I've also done the exact same thing Ryu did with a Dremel and what may have even been a 60-80 grit drum.
My first SHe, BMe, and NO all got this treatment.

The handles feel soooo gooooood

 

[Ad]

Well, I went and bought some emery paper and conservatively smooth out some of the abrasive corners on my SHE. The grip feels MUCH better in hand. I plan to take one of my Busses (likely my BAE) and use it as a guinea pig on smoothing out the scales completely. When I do, I will try to post pics. This little job I did on my SHE is virtually unnoticeable to the eye. It just exhibits a little blackening in the spots I hit.