Yellowing Micarta

jmclfrsh

jmclfrsh

Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
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The micarta inlays on my twin 21s have developed a yellowish tint to them, which is readily apparent when I compare those to the inlays on my new micarta 25. It is a cool gray in tint.

To be fair, they are in non-direct sunlight on top of a dresser all day. I know about UV yellowing, my motorcycle racing boots have been affected the same way over time but they are in direct sunlight for hours on end.

I called CRK and Angela informed me that they can be cleaned with WD40, that they might be drying out. So I tried that, liberally hosed them down and wiped them off twice, to no avail. The yellow remains. Next step is to hose them down again and let it soak in awhile before wiping it off.

She did inform me that the micarta knives can be spa treated just like non-micarta inlaid ones, that they can blast the micarta, too. So that is my next move, sending 4 knives in for a spa while admiring my new 25 to tide me over.

Has anyone else experienced such a phenomena? Did it go away with a spa treatment?

My twin 21s are mint, I hate to send them in if it will not remove the yellow from them. If it will, off they go!

Thoughts? Experiences?

Thank you in advance.
 
I think it probably will be the fibers in the micarta bleaching, it could be UV and it could be reacting to sweat from your hands. If you blast or sand the surface later away it will look the same as it did originally. :)
 
I cant speak for CRK Micarta directly, but I have several darker micarta handled knives stored in boxes. They have never seen the light of day but have still dried out some and look whitish in color , almost like "ashy" skin on a darker complexion person. I used some gun oil on one and it looked new again.
I imagine it is a combination of uv light, dirt/grease affecting coloration. Personally, I wouldn't send it in until I was ready to retire or sell it.
I do however feel your desire for perfection!
Things tend to get stuck in my brain until I act on it .....good or bad :-)
 
I've got many micarta knives and I've never seen any turn yellow. The one's that have dried out or bleached only got lighter in color, or whitish, but didn't turn another color.
Certain colors will dry out quicker than others, but if you're handling them they should only get darker from your hand oils.
I guess what the posters above said is what's happening.

Before I sent it in for a reblasting I would wash it with a good degreaser dish soap(like Dawn), and then use a gun degreaser or alcohol(100% if have it). I use a q-tip for the inlays. That will dry it out, but your hand oils will darken them back out, or use mineral oil if you want them dark right away.
If that doesn't work you may have to reblast them.

I really like the old green linen micarta that had the yellow streaks.
Do you have a pic of the knife ?
 
I appreciate the suggestions! Yes, I'll post some pics tomorrow after work.

I tried detergent first, but am going to try it again tomorrow as yes, it does lighten it up normally. The WD40 was ineffective.

The yellow in a way doesn't bother me, but I like the normal color better. They are such good looking knives, I never thought it would change like that.

Stay posted for pics!
 
The 'white' lines in the canvas micarta is the canvas fabric thread. Like any natural fibre I would guess these will oxidize with time, just as newspaper, raw cotton, kraft paper, or wood fibres do. This oxidization will typically give a yellow cast to the fibres. I have a sebenza will micarta inserts and they have definitely yellowed with age, but the knife is also a user so it might be other things staining the thread. By far the hardest inlays to keep looking fresh are the Micarta. It's super durable stuff, but if you are in love with that fresh grey and white look, you likely going to struggle to keep them that way. I've just let mine turn black because I can't be bothered anymore.
 
Great info, I tried detergent again tonight before I revisited this thread. Didn't really change it, maybe 5%.

That link was great! I purchased some mineral oil a few weeks back to soak a traditional, I'll use it on these inlays and see what happens.

Thanks for all your input guys, especially that bead blasted micarta will need more often applications of it. Much appreciated!
 
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