WARNING! Don't get CLP on RC-4 handles!

sarge1967 said:
Thanks for all the replies folks!

So it would seem that this is normal with these knives. The material in the handles will soak up liquids but can be cleaned. Well that is good news. :D
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Yes, just clean like you're doing the dishes (don't cut yourself :D) and let air dry. If it's real bad you may have to do it twice. Once it's completely dry it will look like new.
 
Do you all recommend removing the micarta for cleaning? I didnt know about moisture behind the handles. Is the metal coated like the blade under the handles?

I was putting some gun oil on the bare metal of my RC-4. When I put it over the RC-4 mark, the oil seeped into the edge of the handle. No big deal but it did darken it.
 
charge said:
Do you all recommend removing the micarta for cleaning? I didnt know about moisture behind the handles. Is the metal coated like the blade under the handles?

I was putting some gun oil on the bare metal of my RC-4. When I put it over the RC-4 mark, the oil seeped into the edge of the handle. No big deal but it did darken it.
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They are coated under the handles.

No need to take them off.
 
Soft scrub really cleans the handles up quick, that combined with a toothbrush is my favorite method. RC-3 sat in the bottom of my tool box in some gear case oil for a week, a little soft scrub and a tooth brush and its right as rain. Also used a pumice stone to get some more texture back onto the handle, worked great, gotta love micarta!

I hear its near impossible to stain, before the fabrics are laminated with the resin you can obviously dye the fabric, but after its set I'm told its very hard to stain it permanently. idk but a week in heavy blue oil didn't do it so I'm inclined to believe it.
 
Try washing it with soap and water. I use Mineral Oil on my Micarta handles when I want to see what they really look like (on my Busse's). It washes right off and they go back to looking original as soon as they dry.

I've never used CLP before on handles, but it's worth a try.

best, Les.
 
Soap and water has always worked for me no matter how filthy I got the slabs. As far as the tendency for the micarta to absorb, well it does, but only on the very surface. After you wash the micarta and get it completely soaked squeeze a towel around the handle for a couple of seconds and you'll see what I mean. The handle will be completely dry and turn the original color that quickly! :thumbup:
 
sarge1967 said:
Even after I soaked them with it? I didn't know what else to do, I didn't want big nasty spots on them so I made them "Even" and covered them completely.
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it should eventually clean off. Good scrubbing with hot soapy water and a scrubber. If not, oh well, micarta will also darken with normal use from dirt and oils on your hand.
 
Micarta only absorbs stuff through the first few layers which makes cleaning them pretty easy. Some people put mineral oil on their handles to darken them, but if they want to go back to the new look they can.

Heber
 
Few days ago at work I got a big glob of 'Selley's No more gaps' on my handle and it made a pretty big stain. But I couldn't care less, my tools are to be used.
 
sarge1967 said:
Does blood stain these things? I mean if you used them as hunting blades that could get nasty.
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Blood, not so much. Greasy, smelly, armadillo fat, YES. Tried almost everything to get that smell off, next stop, some kind of acid (muriatic maybe?).
 
I have always used whatever gun oil I had on hand on my knives. That used to be Breakfree CLP and lately it has been Slip2000 EWL. Heck, sometimes it is Mobil1 5W20. All oils will darken micarta. It usually dries out a bit and lightens again over time (though I don't think it will lighten all the way back to the way it was when it was new.

Don't sweat it. You will see zero loss in grip, which means zero loss in function. Your hand will darken the micarta over time as well. So will dirt, blood, snot, orange gatorade, hoppe's 9, and whatever else you get on it.
 
White spirit will rub it straight off, or brake-disc cleaner - anything aggressively degreasing will do.
 
onebagnomad said:
Blood, not so much. Greasy, smelly, armadillo fat, YES. Tried almost everything to get that smell off, next stop, some kind of acid (muriatic maybe?).
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Did you try some lemon juice or some orange handcleaner with pumice?
 
I use it on on my knives, the stain is not permanent, it will dry out, macarta is good like that, don't worry about it nothing to stress over! again it will dry out in just a few days!


RickJ
 
I have done the same thing to expensive Busse micarta handles, too. As has been mentioned Dawn dishwashing detergent cleans it right up. The sweat and oils from my hands discolor micarta as much. No big deal.
 
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