Question regarding the Micarta scales on Boker Pipsqueak

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Oct 10, 2012
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Hi I have a new Pipsqueak on the way and I am just wondering if I need to treat the Micarta handle scales with anything to protect them from staining or if they are fine just the way they are. Any input would be appreciated, thanks.
 
Just fine the way they are.

If they ever get too dirty for you, simply scrub with hot water and dish soap.

Nothing to it. That is one of the benefits of Micarta and G10 (besides being very strong and stable).
 
That's great thanks for the reply. I have plenty of G10 knives but the only other Micarta knife I own is a Spydreco Phoenix and it seems to be sealed where as it is hard to tell on the Boker whether that's the case? I have heard about people rubbing down there Micarta scales with Vaseline to protect them.
 
It's nothing like the micarta on a sebenza, it almost has a clear coat to it. It's probably fine, mine didn't change color if it got wet like the sebenzas does
 
The Micarta on my Boker Burnley (so it may not be the same micarta, I'm not sure as I don't have a Pipsqueak) got very dark green after a few weeks of carrying it, from the dirt and sweat and oil on my hands when I was handling the knife at work, and just whenever it was being used, so a few nights ago I took the scales off the knife and gently scrubbed them with piping hot water and a little odorless hand soap, and they went from being shiny and slick in texture, and solid dark green, to almost khaki in color with a few green stripes/sections and textured like denim (which is a look and feel I LOVE on this knife, so I will be cleaning my scales regularly). If the micarta on the Pipsqueak is like the Burnley, I would say there is no need for any kind of coating on your scales. They are tough as nails, and micarta is a great material that has been used for ages in this role. No need to worry about durability.
 
I have both the Pipsqueak and the Titan Lightweight Defender in the same Micarta. The Pipsqueak Micarta was fine sanded - actually polished-like - while the Lightweight Defender is a bit rougher - and looks white in streaks. Some light oil will evenly darken it close to the Pipsqueak's finish, but the effect wears off in days. The Defender has a QC/design fault allowing it to rub the blade near it's spine part way up as it closes, so it sits in the case a lot. The Pipsqueak got a boo boo on it's back edge - I need to fine sand that Micarta there to blend it in. I've talked with Mel Pardue about what he coats his custom knives, which I finally horse-traded for one, and he coats them in Renaissance Wax. I'll likely try that - if I can find my can of it! I'll report back on my results. Oddly, I've never had a Micarta edge abrade like that. I carried my similar style pocket-moose of a knife, a Benchmade 755 MPR, for years - it was doubtful that the Pipsqueak would supercede it anyway.

Stainz
 
Thanks for the imput everyone apparently I haven't checked back in on this thread for a while. I have not had any issues at all with the scales although the knife hasn't really come out of my pocket a lot. Initially I was concerned it would not be sealed but that's not the case. I had to send the first one back for F&F but the one I got in replacement was great. I'm sure it is an aquired taste for most but I Love this quirky little knife.

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