Working with carbon fiber vs G10?

SkagSig40

SkagSig40

Joined
Feb 1, 2001
Messages
2,671
I'm a new knife maker and I think I have G10 down and want to try carbon fiber. Is there any safety concerns above and beyond G10 for working with carbon fiber? With G10 I use a respirator with P100 filters and I'm careful about dusting and cleaning up after grinding the G10. Thanks for any help and advice with safely working with carbon fiber!
 
I use G-10 all the time, I used CF once and won't again. Health wise, if you are using proper procedures they are both safe enough, but the sharp fibers that sanding CF releases, get everywhere and make fiberglass look like cotton candy.
 
Prepare for CF to ruin all of your tooling
 
You want to wear a resperator gloves and something to keep the cf dust outa your eyes and good vacuum suction.

Carbon fiber is wicked evil. Get it in your lungs and you will have problems the rest of your life. Get cf slivers on your hands it hurts like pins and needles. Get it in your eyes... Your just asking for trouble.
 
Maybe i'll skip it for a bit longer. I don't have a vacuum for suction or a ventilation system yet.
 
Thanks gentlemen! I think I'll avoid it till I have a proper vacuum and ventilation system.
 
I have made and sold a lot of knives over the years and I have used carbon fiber more than once but will never use it again and have turned down work because of it. It is nasty stuff and I don't believe anything short of a hazmat suit and air tanks coupled with an expensive ventilation system and vacuums will abate the heath threat from the stuff. There is just no reason to use it...use something safer that is just as nice looking. Use some expensive burl wood instead and create something beautiful without risking your health and maybe your life. That is my considered opinion. Larry
 
Wear gloves and any other ppe and you'll be fine. Treat it like an airborne hazard, respirator, goggles or glasses, and keep it wet. I like the way it looks so I use it. I haven't had the bad experiences others have with itchy fingers or anything, but best to be cautious anyway. I treat g10 the same way. I use a vacuum under the grinder and grind slow, spraying the belt often and tossing the belt when I'm done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top