Snakeskin....

Dennis in MA said:
It's canvas. But it's got less canvas and more resin. Several colors of resin and at least 2 (bear with me, I'm color blind) of canvas. Lots of work goes into that micarta.
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I didn't even know resin had a color that was evident after it dried. This is really interesting...
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
I didn't even know resin had a color that was evident after it dried. This is really interesting...
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I didn't either. I thought the colors came from the canvas, paper, or linen. I was under the impression that the parts of snakeskin that are not canvas are paper, i.e. the red and brown colors. And that the yellow and greenish white colors were canvas or possibly linen. :confused:
 
My first attempt( all canvas) was an epic fail, been meaning to try again with a mix of linen and canvas, just might have to add paper into the mix
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Definitely doesn't look like snakeskin, but I don't think it looks bad... would probably be really sweet for a contoured hand-shaped handle.
 
The few I have (GW, AD, ABA, BATAC, MOASH, & CG FBM) are among my favorite Busses. Too bad there wasn't enough left for the CABS.
 
I stupidly let all of mine go.


At least I still have a set of the 1911 grip slabs....
 
I could be all wet. But well-cut Snakeskin shows a lot of very very very very very smooth areas around the canvas layers. Perhaps it's paper sammiched in between canvas. It ain't anything with a grain structure.

Look at those 3-series rope-cuts. I just always assumed it was solid resin between the canvas. Resin HAS to have a color - otherwise black canvas would be. . . um. . . BLACK and not farkin ugly light green!

If there is some sort of structure, it gives me hope. I always assumed Snakeskin was much more frageeeeelay because it had less binding material in it and more resin.
 
I think your on to something there Dennis. The red is definitely paper micarta, but on some there does appear to be a separating layer. On my AD its apparent but on my skinner its not. Also I'd swear that theres a big difference in the makeup between the two handles. The skinner has canvas readily apparent while the AD has a much finer material (ie linen) in the same spot, the tan and gray being the mystery. I once had a Snakeskin NOe that was all very fine, no obvious canvas type weave. I miss that NOe. :(
 
leatherman said:
Many have tried according to Jerry. One in particular was convinced he could, and has since disappeared, go figure.

Snake skin is a combination of paper, linen, and canvas micartas in layers. I think its that formula that makes it so difficult to replicate, aside from the original maker that is and he seems to not be doing it any more.
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Interesting......First time I have ever had anyone tell me that it is actually completely different materials combined like that.


Learn something every day.
 
Matteo Escobar said:
I've stated this before, but I do find it hard to believe that nobody, not even the original manufacturer can duplicate layering colored pieces of canvas and paper.

And why would Jerry permanently delete a program for a classic design? Why not just archive it? Besides, it's a pretty basic design...they could do it again if they wanted to.
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Don't quote me, But I believe it was because they switched over to different machines/computers and the old programs weren't compatible. They could reprogram rope cut and quilted ergo style in about a day, but they dont make enough of them to justify.

That being said, Swamprats Mischief series (M9,M6) had a very similar pattern to rope cut, and the KZII was offered with a different style of Quilted. With all the BOSS knives coming out, its not unconceivable that they bring them back.

P.S. Jerry, we want a BOSS Mistress. Make mine a fatty:D
 
I must agree, those Busse snakeskin handles are absolutely gorgeous and probably the most sort after handles.

If Busse makes them differently, that'll be OK. But if they replicate exactly the same handles and have them available again. Wouldn't that make everyone that owns one and also collectors their worst nightmare? It will make every snakeskin handled knife depreciate instantly. The value and the rarity factor of the Busse knives would be gone. What's the point in collecting them and spending ridiculous amounts if they're still being made.

Anyway, I just got a snakeskin and kinda broke but here's my 2 cents.
 
Looking closely, with an eye loop, I see...

burgundy paper, gray canvas, burgundy paper, tan canvas, repeat.

I stand corrected on my linen supposition. :o It looks like canvas and paper micarta's layered. There has to be a substrate in between the canvas layers not just resin as there is some space there, it would squish flat under pressure.

Still, layering different substrates is going to be difficult and nearly impossible to duplicate under different conditions, only the original formula in the original shop is going to duplicate the results of snake skin micarta so dont worry kenrunchen, its not gonna happen. The original is the original, no matter how close another maker comes its still going to look different. ;)
 
leatherman said:
Looking closely, with an eye loop, I see...

burgundy paper, gray canvas, burgundy paper, tan canvas, repeat.

I stand corrected on my linen supposition. :o It looks like canvas and paper micarta's layered. There has to be a substrate in between the canvas layers not just resin as there is some space there, it would squish flat under pressure.

Still, layering different substrates is going to be difficult and nearly impossible to duplicate under different conditions, only the original formula in the original shop is going to duplicate the results of snake skin micarta so dont worry kenrunchen, its not gonna happen. The original is the original, no matter how close another maker comes its still going to look different. ;)
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That is exactly what I have thought it was too. Then towards the top there is a layer of red paper and yellow canvas then back to the other colors. :thumbup::cool:
 
kenrunchen said:
I must agree, those Busse snakeskin handles are absolutely gorgeous and probably the most sort after handles.

If Busse makes them differently, that'll be OK. But if they replicate exactly the same handles and have them available again. Wouldn't that make everyone that owns one and also collectors their worst nightmare? It will make every snakeskin handled knife depreciate instantly. The value and the rarity factor of the Busse knives would be gone. What's the point in collecting them and spending ridiculous amounts if they're still being made.

Anyway, I just got a snakeskin and kinda broke but here's my 2 cents.
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I bet not. Methinks the person that originally made them probably never charged enough for them. Layering this has got to be a big PITA. So cost would be fairly high - maintaining the value of older Snakeskin knives.

That G-10 stuff can't hold a candle to Snakeskin, IMHO.
 
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