I listened to some knife making conversation and discovered a term I'm not familiar with "rag" micarta. Can someone shed some light on this material as I understand that it is no longer made. I have made two balisongs and the last one had micarta scales. I have a supply of something called phenolic and am wondering if anyone has experience with this material.
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what is rag micarta?
- Thread starter balut
- Start date
Rag Micarta is Micarta made from rags and the resin made to make Micarta. Thats a lot of Micarta's there
. It is, I think, the prettiest of the Micartas. I have one set left I am putting on a knife in the near future. The color is different shades of green. Cool looking stuff. A lot of makers are looking for it now and there is talk of some people making it, but I have not been able to find it. If you do find some of it, by all of it on the spot. It makes beautiful handles!!!! Good luck, Mark Hazen
- Joined
- Oct 28, 1999
- Messages
- 1,563
I used rag micarta on about three knives over the years and I think I have about 2 sets of scales left.
It polishes to a high sheen and has a camo effect. I built a tanto for a friend who is an Army Ranger and he has carried it all over the world (including Arctic training in Alaska) and the material has not ever given any grief.
I have also sandblasted it too and it becomes VERY grippy...more so than any other of the micartas. Looks uglier this way though.
It polishes to a high sheen and has a camo effect. I built a tanto for a friend who is an Army Ranger and he has carried it all over the world (including Arctic training in Alaska) and the material has not ever given any grief.
I have also sandblasted it too and it becomes VERY grippy...more so than any other of the micartas. Looks uglier this way though.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 1999
- Messages
- 2,596
Stellite and Rag Micarta
I've used rag Micarta in 3 basic colors. The above knife is the greenish color. Then there is brown and a VERY strange looking variety that had a lot of red and yellow in it. It's pretty much extinct now though
I know it was made for laboratory counter tops and other industrial applications. If someone ever found a table or benchtop made of it, they would have a small fortune!!!
For a gripy handle as the one above, I sand to 400 and apply several coats of oil. For a shiny finish, I use crazy glue. It looks NICE on a knife!
Neil
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Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 06-02-2001).]
I've used rag Micarta in 3 basic colors. The above knife is the greenish color. Then there is brown and a VERY strange looking variety that had a lot of red and yellow in it. It's pretty much extinct now though
For a gripy handle as the one above, I sand to 400 and apply several coats of oil. For a shiny finish, I use crazy glue. It looks NICE on a knife!
Neil
------------------
Talonite......Stellite
Hand Made Knives..High Tech Materials
blackwoodknives.com
[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 06-02-2001).]
Micarta- Westinghouse product made from phenolic resin (epoxy) and layers of various materials.....
Rag micarta-Made from the scraps of everything on the floor after the various materials above are cut to exacting dimensions.......I have been told with some certainty that it was made especially for a big company to make oil proof wheels for their carts...have never seen ANY industrial uses for the stuff other than knife handles, and they certainly dont make it especially for us.......Im going with the cart wheels story.....thus the special run and the lack of availability now.....like premium stag, some of us stocked up and have an abundant supply......
Rag micarta-Made from the scraps of everything on the floor after the various materials above are cut to exacting dimensions.......I have been told with some certainty that it was made especially for a big company to make oil proof wheels for their carts...have never seen ANY industrial uses for the stuff other than knife handles, and they certainly dont make it especially for us.......Im going with the cart wheels story.....thus the special run and the lack of availability now.....like premium stag, some of us stocked up and have an abundant supply......