Indians For Guns

After making few micarta handles I decided to make textured micarta knife handle

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Used red & purple T-shirt layers this time but I am not totally satisfied with the result

This is what the output
This is after applying some oil on it
As AD says comments and suggestions are most welcome

Pratik,.. I don't see anything to be dissatisfied about here (except maybe the choice of pink colour ) . The grip has turned out pretty well!
Can u please elaborate on the process. I am guessing that it includes staking fabric layers with some kind of adhesive or varnish and applying compression till its solid??

Agree with AD! This is cool, mate! AND your first attempt!

AD, he can always pass off the pink handle as a gift for the better half!

By the way, Pratik, how do you cut micarta? I made a block, but when I try cutting with the Dremel, it gets hot and gives off pretty noxious fumes - normal dust mask isn't able to cope. With a hacksaw, the fabric fibres start loosening. Maybe I didn't use enough Araldite?

Great work / experimentation in Micarta- Pratik
Essdee:
The micarta needs to be fully dry before attempting to cut / profile it....
You may put in an oven at a suitable temp. to dry it fully....
Dremmel will not suffice....you need an angle grinder with a cutting wheel to accomplish it.....true it will emit obnoxious fumes from the solvent in the adhesive + let fly tiny flakes (wear a mask).....
IMHO - moistening the micarta may reduce the flakes....my 2 cents
Normally people use belt sander for grinding....
Briha

Thanks guys
AD, I wants to make something like this But because of araldite the color has change
You will get lots of info on net about how to make micarta
I am using Araldite but I saw people are using fiberglass resin

SD, you need to use lots of Araldite to make micarta because fabrics absorbs it
& don’t use dremel cutting wheel I use either hacksaw or my jigsaw to cut it

pratik_mahale wrote:Thanks guys
AD, I wants to make something like this

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to be honest I find the grip pattern on this blade a bit too tacky and loud.
Anyways..your 1st attempt is nearly as good as this. A couple of more blades and I u'll surely surpass that!

Hi Guys,
Here's some interesting & useful information re: Micarta for making Knife Handles....
Hope all DIY enthusiasts will find it useful....

TIPS ON WORKING WITH MICARTA
http://www.ehow.com/list_6893726_tips-w ... carta.html

Micarta is a tough plastic commonly used on knife handles. Micarta is a registered trade name for a very strong plastic made of layers of cloth, canvas or paper and injected with phenolic resin. According to Alpha Knife Supply and knife maker Jay Fisher, Micarta is known as the "steel" or "Cadillac" of the plastic industry. This material is commonly used to make knife handles, jigs and fixtures. Natural Micarta is yellow or tan in color and turns red or brown as it ages. Sanding natural Micarta produces a wood-grain appearance.

SAFETY
According to the Norplex-Micarta website, protective eyewear is recommended when cutting Micarta that is more than 1 inch thick. Prolonged exposure to dust on the skin can cause irritation. Wash exposed skin with soap and water. Protective gloves should be worn when handling the product. Safety glasses and a particle mask should be worn while machining.

FINISHING
When natural Micarta is sanded, it will look dull. To give it a shine, wash with dish soap, then apply a spray lubricant, such as WD-40, and rewash with dish soap.

TEXTURE
If your project is a Micarta knife handle, you will want it have a good grip. To ensure the knife won't slip out of your hand, sandblast the handle with course aluminum oxide or silicon carbide abrasive. Follow the washing tips to restore the natural color.

CUTTING
Micarta made of paper or cotton fabrics are most easily cut using carbide-tipped tools that are very sharp. The temperature of the material during cutting must remain below 150 degrees Celsius to prevent distortion and charring. Glass-based grades should be cut with diamond or tungsten-carbide tools.

DRILLING AND TAPPING
When drilling and tapping paper / cotton-based Micarta, it is best to use a high-speed drill and carbide bits. Lift the drill frequently to prevent overheating the material. Back the material with scrap laminate to prevent chipping out.

MILLING
Glass-based Micarta can be milled on any metal-working milling machine that is equipped with carbide-tipped tools. Use only climb or down milling, as up milling can delaminate the material.

Briha

Really nice crafted knife handle. To me, its looking good after your have lubricated it with some oil.

This is the one I made few days back & this is after given texture

I started liking this textured handle so much
One more textured handle up gradation
this is before textured

Hi Pratik,
Great work on 'texturing'....
Could you please share the process you undertake in achieving this pattern?
Briha

pratik_mahale wrote:I started liking this textured handle so much
One more textured handle up gradation

P_20150625_120103.jpg

P_20150625_120113.jpg

P_20150625_120123.jpg

this is before textured

P_20150625_120213.jpg

This one is truely amazing, colour scheme and pattern wise.
Looks just like Rattlesnake or Python hide.
Do share the process for getting this kind of pattern...

Thanks to Briha sir for his Tips
The washing, lubricating & again washing with dish soap really work like a magic


AD
For this I used my old guns green canvas cover
8 to 10 layers of fabric with araldite & finally the texture using dremel sanding bands

pratik_mahale wrote: AD
For this I used my old guns green canvas cover
8 to 10 layers of fabric with araldite & finally the texture using dremel sanding bands

Tnx for the info buddy,!
I wonder if the micarta can be formed by placing fabric layers directly over the tang. This would give a single piece grip without having to drill holes through the tang and scales..!

Thanks AD
Some more up gradation
This one is from blue denim jeans
This one from black & red fabric but the red is not that visible