Trouble Finishing G10

B

Blades&Bullets

Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
577
Trying to finish G10 straight razor scales. I'm trying to finish the first set of scales in the picture and get the color uniform. As I go up through the grit the white/grey areas stand apart from the black. Any advice?
Is paper or linen micarta easier to polish?

Also, I think I'll be limiting my work with g10 in the future. The more I read the less I think I want to exposing myself to the dust! I've been stupid and done some hand sanding without a respirator, and now (after doing more reading) I'm not sure how much more work I want to do with it even with a respirator.

Thanks



Unfinished scales on a 1" blade with micro fasteners.
 
I suppose it's due to the fact the fibers are harder than the bonder.
You should be able to get a better finish hand sanding with a rigid backup....when you get to the higher grits you should have a smooth surface.
Mind you that the dust is abrasive, so provide to use fresh paper instead of digging in the bonder with the dust.
Go through the grits to the shine you want and reduce the buffing or avoid it altogether.
 
You can do the hand sanding in a bucket of water and it works great.

By the look and texture I am seeing that looks like canvas micarta... G10 hand sands pretty easily and should be a solid pure black. Canvas or linen micarta will have white spots unless you get "double black." Micarta is also much more difficult to finish that G10 by sanding or grinding.
 
I'm actually not sure where I bought it from. I probably bought it from Jantz at the '15 BLADE.
It may be micarta.:chargrined: I was replacing black horn and really wanted solid black scales. :sorrow:
Since I don't have a shop, it would be a LOT of work to make another set. I do most of the work on tailgate of my truck in front of my apartment.

I checked the micarta on Jantz website and I think you guys were right. It looks like their canvas micarta.

Is there anything I could put on the micarta to make it darker? If you have any other suggestions by looking at the scale in the pic, let me know.

If the G-10 is easier to polish, I'll probably get some Blk/Blk G-10 to rescale some of the razors I still haven't rescaled yet.
 
Also, what is the best ivory colored material that polishes up well. Where can I find it? It would be easier to polish since it is a solid lighter color, right? Usaknifemaker has some ivory paper micarta, but I've never handled the stuff before.
 
It sure looks like canvas micarta to me. Paper would be easier to polish in my opinion. With paper I usually just go to 220-400 and rub it with my hands. The oil from your skin helps to darken and smooth it up a little. A little grip may be good when holding a straight razor next to your throat:D
 
White Paper either from Jantz or USA makes fine looking Ivory replica handles polishes easy and yellows like real Ivory over time. Black Paper is one of my all time favorites on satin finished blades reminds me of Black and White Tuxedo and would look great on an old razor...my .02 cents
 
Thanks. Next time I get black scale material, I'll make sure it is G10. I'm probably going to get some ivory colored paper micarta as well. It would make nice scale wedges/spacers even if I don't make full scales out of them. I just sold a razor, so that should be enough money to order some more materials.
 
Last edited:
I usually use wd 40 to bring the color out after removing all the dust, but i find that i have to sweep the dust away Alot while sanding in between grits to get a uniform finish.
You may end up really liking how the micarta turns out!
 
It isn't finished yet, but here is what it looks like right now. I'm going to make a white/ivory wedge for it and I may polish the scales some more. The blade needs some more work too, but I'll have to work around the etching.

 
my best luck with black canvas micarta is wet sand to 1000 and buff with white rouge...still wont be jet black tho
 
If you take the scales to around 2000 grit and spray them down with WD40... wait a bit then clean them with Dawn and water they will blacken up a bit. The lower grit finish is also popular with canvas micarta as it is so grippy.

Nice work!
 
Daniel Fairly Knives said:
If you take the scales to around 2000 grit and spray them down with WD40... wait a bit then clean them with Dawn and water they will blacken up a bit. The lower grit finish is also popular with canvas micarta as it is so grippy.

Nice work!
Click to expand...

Thanks

I may try that.
I have some black aniline dye. Do you think that might be a better option?
 
Shaw Blades said:
Definitely black canvas micarta. It's a PITA when I use it also
Click to expand...

I wish it wasn't so popular, because it ticks me off every time. I'd be perfectly happy if canvas micarta disappeared from the face of the earth.
 
Daniel Fairly Knives said:
I's try it on a scrap, why not. I've been using aniline dye on woods and it is cool stuff.
Click to expand...
I tried the aniline dye. It made it darker, but still not the deep black I was original hoping for. I rubbed WD-40 on one scale and made it more black. If it is still noticeably darker after cleaning with soap, I may start another thread and post before/after pictures for others that want to know about the different possible looks you can get with black canvas Micarta.

Thanks again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top