Who first made a knife with[COLOR="DarkOrange"] orange [/COLOR]micarta

psy-ops

psy-ops

Joined
Sep 27, 1999
Messages
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Some trends just sneak up on you. It seems I was purchasing knives, reading threads and practicing skills when all of a sudden orange handled knives appeared. Who first introduced this concept and where was I.

I also like the idea myself for two reasons. 1. they stand out if you drop them. 2. They give a knife a more pro-social appeal. Prosocial is a term to describe helping behaviors.


What are some other opinions on Orange scales?
 
I like them. I wonder if Mike Stewart was the first one. He's certainly the one who has probably made the most of them
 
Orange injection molded plastic has been around for a while.

But who used the first micarta scales?
 
Most good orange handled knives have G-10 scales. Like Micarta but it is layers of fiberglass cloth impregnated with colored resin.
 
I haven't been able to find a place to order orange micarta, however I have seen G-10 available in orange. I am not sure who starting using it first...
 
From the Mike Stewart


Bark River was indeed the First Company to use the Blaze Orange G-10.





It was developed by Marge Hartman of Masecraft Supply.





We were Sent the first Samples to try out.





We were the largest user of the stuff until Case started to use it on their Folders.





I still think we are the Number 2 user.





We are also the only Company that has it in the 1 1/8th in thick for Stick Tang knives.





We have Marge custom make it for us in that Size. The minumum order is two 39"x79" sheets at about $1500.00 per sheet so most companies are reluctant to order it in that thickness.





We use so much of it that it is worth it for us.





The Standard Thickness's 1/8th--3/16ths--1/4 and 3/8th are off the shelf now from Masecraft and from Ann Sheffield.
 
interesting to know...

i can see this info being in a book someday about the history of knives...
 
Some of the supply houses must order it in bulk and then do their own cutting. I think you can get scales, but I haven't seen the stick for hidden tang. I think orange looks better on the smaller knives....
 
I believe that Sheffield's also sells a tiger-stripe G-10: an orange base with thin, black layers spread throughout.
 
I really noticed it more so from Mike Stewart......But again they do have more handle options than anybody....
 
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