Warped handle material

H

Hesparus

Joined
Oct 31, 2004
Messages
1,442
Several weeks ago, I ordered some handle material from Texasknife (5x12" micarta and dymondwood). Both pieces were pretty badly warped when I opened the package. I've been trying to counter-bend the dymondwood by putting the ends on blocks and a leg of a table on the middle. This has reduced the warp down to around 1/32"-1/16", but it doesn't seem to be getting any straighter (no discernible change in the last week or so). Any idea how I can fix it the rest of the way? Will adding a little bit of heat help? I haven't even tried the micarta yet.
Thanks,
Chris

P.s. The micarta is 1/4" thick and the dymondwood is 3/8" thick.
 
I don't know, that's pretty unusual for those materials, all my pieces are real flat even after a couple seasons of hot/cold/humid/dry in the shop. Maybe steam would help? I kind of doubt it though, you may have to just grind them flat. If you cut them into the sizes you want first, the amount of warp may not be so extreme.
 
I would contact Texas Knifemakers about the problem. I have found them very good to deal with. Once they sent me paper micarta instead of the linen micarta that I had ordered. After I contacted them, they quickly mailed the linen micarta.
 
I have in the past worked a lot of that material. Either request an exchange or bite bthe bullet and sand one side flat. It does not have the flexibility of plywood. Frank
 
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