Variations in natural micarta

[BDubbs]

I was looking at the variation in this photo wondering why the variation? None of the knives has spent much time outside to actually sun bleach. They are all from GEC and different years but they swing back and forth from dark to faded. Is it intentional?

 

[Modoc ED]

Could be the difference between them is the manufacturer of the micarta. One's natural micarta is different from the other.

 

[JB in SC]

Some variation is due to the weave of the material and thread count and the actual material itself. Resins can vary and give a lighter or darker color. It may even be attributed to the thickness of the micarta cut from a sheet or block.

Some colors of canvas micarta will absorb oils and darken over time, even the green will do that.

 

[Modoc ED]

I was looking at the variation in this photo wondering why the variation? None of the knives has spent much time outside to actually sun bleach. They are all from GEC and different years but they swing back and forth from dark to faded. Is it intentional?
View attachment 1440309

The most striking detail in that picture are the sunken pins .

 

[BDubbs]

I’m not a big fan of sunk pins but I’m not knowledgeable enough to talk pros and cons between them. I thought the micarta was interesting because if goes back and forth between the two colors. I’ll have to look at some examples from 2016 and 2018 to see if they used the light or dark.

 

[Misplaced Hillbilly]

My question is are the darker ones carried more?

 

[BDubbs]

I carry the 93 often, I wasn’t a big micarta fan initially but the 93 is one of my favorites now. I got it from 909Cut , he had it so sharp it basically cut itself out of the box.

 

[Sacto]

From my experience, if they ride in your pocket a lot but don’t get used a lot, they tend to dry out and look lighter. If they get used a lot they will pick up oils from your hands or from when you oil them and get darker.

I also have one that went through the washer and dryer and that one dried up and lightened up quite a bit.

 

[909Cut]

I carry the 93 often, I wasn’t a big micarta fan initially but the 93 is one of my favorites now. I got it from 909Cut , he had it so sharp it basically cut itself out of the box.

Yes sir. Thats how we love our blades.. SHARP! I agree with JB in SC, the canvas does vary on the material used to bond it (the epoxy). Depending on the brand the makers of the micarta used, can vary. Even if its the same brand, epoxies constantly change as far as chemical make up..what the chemicals they add or subtract.

 

[BDubbs]

I definitely like the darker of the 2 colors but don’t know that I would do anything to darken the lighter ones. If I’ve learned anything it’s that my tastes change so who knows what I’ll like in a year?

 

[909Cut]

I definitely like the darker of the 2 colors but don’t know that I would do anything to darken the lighter ones. If I’ve learned anything it’s that my tastes change so who knows what I’ll like in a year?

Put the lighter of the two to use more, handle them more, they will change in shade but who knows to how dark they get after handling. The real judge is the one who handles and uses them frequently.