Working with Micarta

[watakipoma]

The only way I've used Micarta is for slabs that go onto a full tang knife. I've seen some knives that are either partial hidden or full hidden tang that have Micarta handles.

I've made a full hidden tang by drilling a long hole in a block of wood and sanded away what didn't belong and I'd imagine that technique could be used for a block of Micarta.

I've also made a few partial tang knives where I used a chisel (ok... a sharpened flat head screwdriver ) and cut away a space between two slabs of wood and made a wood -n- metal sandwich with extra epoxy.

My first question would be how to make a Micarta -n- metal sandwich... I think it's called mortising?

Second... what other tricks have you discovered while working with Micarta?

 

[Fox]

Check out Terry Primos' excellent tutorial here:

http://www.primosknives.com/articles/mortised_tangs/mortised_tangs_1.htm

Micarta is great stuff. Use a respirator with appropriate filters and sharp, aggressive belts when grinding. Do most of your shaping with at least a 50 - 80 grit belt to keep from burning the stuff. Keep the area well ventilated as micarta gives off formaldehyde gas. A variable speed grinder is very nice for finishing micarta. You can leave micarta in a rough, sanded state to increase the grip adhesion. It also takes a nice polish.