Working with G10

K

K.Berge

Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
59
Hi all,

So I've been wanting to get into knife making for a while now, but being a college student with little money and no access to a shop, I have no idea where to start.

Recently I've been thinking about experimenting with rescaling some of my knives. I really want to use G-10 but I heard it can be a pain to work with. Is this true? What would be the best way to cut it and shape it? Would a Dremel work? Is Micarta easier to work with?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, what are some good knife making books that I should check out?

Thank you!
Kevin
 
G10 works real smooth with the sandpaper, it grinds in a uniform manner cause it's manmade. It drills pretty easy. Cutting it can be a pain and the dust generated is VERY VERY bad for you. 100% respirator use any time working with the stuff.

Micarta? For me personally G10 is a little easier to work with. I think canvas and linen are a little harder (as in actual hardness of the material) cause the resin is different and G10 does not burn as easy when grinding/sanding with power equipment. And the dust is just as bad for you.
 
G10 takes the edges off of cutting tools a lot worse than micarta. It's very easy to work with otherwise. It will dull your wood cutting bandsaw blade very quickly. I have more success using my metal cutting bandsaw to cut it with.
 
I found that cutting G-10 or Micarta is easier cutting by hand with a coping saw (saves my bandsaw blades).
 
Thank y'all:)
Do y'all think a dremel with an abrasive cutting wheel would work or should I buy a coping saw?
I'm making a trip to Home Depot tomorrow and picking up a respirator, some sand paper, and maybe a coping saw. Anything else I should pick up?
 
I'm no knifemaker, but I'm pretty sure the high-speed of the Dremel will burn the G-10 if you get carried away. It will probably cut it nicely, just take your time. I've seen some guys use a Dremel with sanding drums to do sculpted G-10 so it apparently works nicely.

You might want to pick up a couple files as well as I think I've read some people say a file cuts it pretty nicely.
 
K.Berge said:
Thank y'all:)
Do y'all think a dremel with an abrasive cutting wheel would work or should I buy a coping saw?
I'm making a trip to Home Depot tomorrow and picking up a respirator, some sand paper, and maybe a coping saw. Anything else I should pick up?
Click to expand...

When you get a respirator, don't just buy any respirator. Some are only rated for vapors/fumes. You need a particulate respirator to work with G-10 or Micarta. Look for one that has P100 rated filter canisters. Not something to mess around with, do it right:thumbup:........oh yeah, have fun!:D
 
Thanks yall! Good thing to know about the respirator, I'll be sure to invest in a good one.
I think I'll try the dremel at low speed and see how that goes.. If it doesn't go too well I'll try a coping saw.
 
Just do a search for respirators everyone has their preference but ALSO very important are the filters... Working with fiberglass is easy but rough on the tools, your shaping glass...for me I hate working with fiberglass, it makes me itch when I do and to help fight that I wear a hat and a long sleeve turtle neck, nothing to get in the way or caught...have fun!
 
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