Where to get g-10 or micarta pins

Robert Erickson

Robert Erickson

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Messages
2,864
I've been trying to find out where to get g-10 or micarta pins. I've searched the forum and googled it and haven't come up with anything. Do they have to be hand-made somehow? I'm a novice maker so maybe I shouldn't even try using the stuff but hey, "nothing ventured, nothing gained"
 
Do a google search for g 10 or micarta rod. You'll come up with better results and a few places that sell them. Texas Knifemaker's Supply has micarta rod in stock.
 
Here is where I get it:

G10 rod: Alpha Knife Supply
Micarta Rod: Natural - McMaster-Carr (search for garolite ce), Black - Texas Knifemaker Supply


You should definitely use them. Its the easiest pin type to deal with. It never overheats and burns the scale material (typical newb mistake), AND it never sands proud of the handle scale material (another problem with metal pins). In addition, if you use black with black canvas micarta, they almost disappear.

Each time this comes up, the strength of the pins gets questioned, but I have made THOUSANDS of knives this way and never had a handle fail. I use 1/8" micarta rod almost exclusively. Keep in mind that Japanese swords are held together with one small bamboo pin.
 
I haven't called to verify, but I believe Chuck no longer stocks G10 rod. It's not listed on his site. Unfortunately, I am in need of some black G10 rod myself, but am unsure where to source it now.
 
I'm wondering if G10 and micarta pins offer any holding power, besides keeping the scales from sheering off? Can they be peened to help hold the scales? I've never used them.
 
If Chuck doesn't have g10 rod call Goodwinds. You'll have to google them.

J. You don't peen micarta pins. They would crumble. The epoxy holds the scales on.
 
Thanks Fiddleback crew and i4Marc! Found the Micarta rods on Texas Knifemaker site. The G-10 I'll search Goodwinds as you suggest!
 
I found a website called aculam.com that has g-10 rods but I had to send them a request for quote for pricing and availability. I'll update as I get an answer back.
 
I'm a believer in micarta pins. I have a couple of Fiddlebacks and they are fine knives without question. I also have a knife that has pins made of burlap laminate and they have held up very well. Only way I could see them fail is a looong drop on a hard surface. Already tried the shorter ones. :D

I just bought a 3' rod of carbon fiber for scale pins at the local hobby shop. Just another non-traditional idea.
 
When I used to use fiberglass, Goodwinds had 4' x 1/8" rod for $0.77. That was 5 years ago though. The places that require a quote want a bigger order usually. Goodwinds buys the stuff and re-sells it cheaply. They are a kite-builder supply house. I stopped using fiberglass because it burns easily when finishing the pins. Easy to avoid, but easy to cause too. Also, the black not as black as micarta on the finished knife. Much stronger though. You can also get carbon fiber. McMaster-carr has that.
 
One of the best things about the McMasterr-Carr catalog is those information pages. I use it as a resource all the time.
 
I checked out the McMasterr-Carr website and they also have G7, G9, G11 and XX Garolite. Can those materials be used as well? I would imagine there must be a reason G10 is used for pins and not the other materials.
 
I don't use the xx (paper). I've used the others. Once you get to fiberglass, the designation is mostly about the resin's properties.
 
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