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Just curious my wife has booked me in for a knife making course at the end of the year (she's a keeper) and I'd like to source some micarta liners to personalize my knife a little.
I don't think the course provider will have any as all the pics on their site show native timber hardwood handles.
So where are people buying there micarta g10 liners from ? Do you need to buy a bulk amount or can you buy in smaller quantities ?
Thanks everyone:thumbsup:
wheres the course???
Barrytown on the west coast just north of GreymouthQuote:
Originally Posted by gonetropo
https://barrytownknifemaking.com/
My son did this a few years ago on his birthday as a treat. It was full and entertaining day and one I would thoroughly recommend. There's a guy doing the same thing in Wanaka now too. Great fun - you'll love it Danny.Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
Yup, would like to source locally if possible but if all else fails...:thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by muzza
Artisan SuppliesQuote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
The norm is G10 not micarta although you could use it if you wanted to I suppose.
There you go showing my ignorance I thought g10 was micarta :D is there no nz distributor that sells g10 ?Quote:
Originally Posted by terryf
Not that I know of Danny, Gameco is the goto for most, they have an office down in MastertonQuote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
@dannyb
Phone : 06-370 1683
9 Villa Street, Masterton 5810
Yeah try gameco they are awesome to deal with. G10 is easier to work with and finishes nicer.
What are you thinking of trying to achieve with the handle? I've got a bit of stuff lying around I could maybe help out.
Just want to use some g10 liners double layer lime green and yellow, nothing too fancy the course provides the steel, brass pins,bolster and hard wood for the handle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick-D
Have to be a little realistic about what can be achieved in 1 day otherwise theres loads of other things I could look into doing.
At some point I will have a crack at making a leather holster for it too, not sure how or where I'll go to do that but worth a crack.
And that folks is why this forum is so special, good buggers offering good free advise. Love it
When are you doing the course? I don't have any green or yellow, if you've got time good old Ali express is probably your cheapest option. If you can get the liners and scales laminated before the class it will help time wiseQuote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
there's a thought, got loads of time not doing the course till Xmas holidays
Creative Man in Aussie , cheaper Micarta and a better range with lower freight costs also .
@Nick-D what are you using to laminate g10 to scales ?
Just a good slow cure epoxy. I use West systems. G10 is often pretty slick so a good rough up and key in is essential. Obviously be careful with where you key in when making the scales as if they end up on the edge of the finished handle it you will see a voidQuote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
I have been playing around making my own sheaths for myself and family... plenty of vids on YouTube on how to make them but I could only buy leather in big sheets...can get expensive unless you make several...very time consuming as I hand stitch mine saddle stitch style and use 3mm plus thick leather which involves drilling all the stitch holes on a press first unless you fork out for all the tools also. Well worth the effort tho.... I expect my sheaths to last a lifetime
Any chance of seeing some of your work?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ftx325
Excellent timing, I was wondering how to start getting into this and at the same time working up the courage to try making a knife.
My problem is that I don't have an artistic fibre in my body, leather work & knife making both appear to require a decent amount of it.
A knife made by me would look like a ruler with an edge and leather work would look like some thing the dog's swallowed and revisited.
No problem.... I can take some photos tonight and post them here. There are a couple of photos on my introduction thread but they are more of the ammo butt holders I made for my rifles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooops
To start knife making pick a simple design that you like and replicate. Take your time and keep it as close to the original as possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooops
You don't need to be artistic to make a nice knife, just go slow and focus on the details. The cool thing about working with steel is its a relatively slow process and you have time to adjust tweak and smooth things out as you go.
Give it a go, really nothing to lose
Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
Went past it last Friday and wondered what it would be like.
Keep us posted!
I’m similarly ‘gifted’!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooops
I have done a separate thread called playing with leather under the gear and accessories section I think its called with a collection of photos. Hope nobody finds it too boring....Quote:
Originally Posted by Ooops
@Ftx325 Well let me start by saying that entitling your submission "Playing with leather" may get you the wrong sort of attention.
I'm not judging mind, live free brother :thumbsup:
Anyhow I had a look and that is some awesome work for a beginner. Kudos to you mate.
Would you mind sharing the details for the sites that you found most useful in your leather & knife making journey.
@Nick-DQuote:
Originally Posted by Nick-D
Fair play Nick, thanks for the encouragement.
The thing is when you know absolutely f'all about some thing it's a job to know where to start. And after all it is a big subject.
Right enough there's a ton of information out there but there's so much crap to wade through to get to the gold. And as a know nothing how do you know when you've found gold?
For a while I've had it in mind to start by buying a cheap knife from the market and reshaping it with a grinder.
Presumably that would heat it up a fair bit and change the metal's nature so I'd have to heat treat it afterwards.
That would introduce me to a couple of aspects of the process and would be a way of easing into it.
Is that a reasonable way forward?
Any how hopefully FTX will be able to point me in the right direction for some quality sites
@Ooops , The thing is when you know absolutely f'all about some thing it's a job to know where to start. And after all it is a big subject.
Right enough there's a ton of information out there but there's so much crap to wade through to get to the gold. And as a know nothing how do you know when you've found gold?
There has never been so much information out there, books , Youtube , classes and more. If you are genuinely interested you put some time in and make a start.
Look at Youtube at guys like Walter Sorell's , he has clips on making a knife from the most basic hand tools and this is how I started.
Piece of steel, three hand files and a bit of sandpaper. I didn't even have a vice for the first two.
Knife making, forging, blacksmithing , leather work and many other crafts are having a big renaissance and for good reason.
Don't buy a knife and re-shape it, that's not knife making as it's already made, your just changing the shape of it .
Make a start , DO IT , don't just talk about it, post your progress and ask questions. There are some very helpful and knowledgeable people here who will help.
You will soon know if knife making is for you or not but you will never know if you don't try.
I look forward to seeing your results, good luck
I'm not 100% sure of your purpose, but G10 is basically just layered cloth pressed with fiberglass resin and heat to set, whereas micarta also incorporates heat and possibly higher pressures.... I may be getting this all wrong - might be a mix of cloth material and resin material that makes the difference.
Either way, for a knife handle you can make something perfectly suitable and acceptable yourself with cloth of your choice, fiberglass resin, some wax paper (avoids sticking to everything while setting), two pressing surfaces, and weights or clamps.
I used to use "old" style fiberglass resin that stank like crazy and gave me headaches.... then by luck tried some West System epoxy and to my surprise it didn't stink... seems to work just the same as the old stuff, but is much nicer to use. Got it from Burnsco but there are certainly other suppliers - worth asking what's best for the purpose and if any have higher odor/off-gas more than others.
Thanks Viper that's just the sort of focused pointer that I was after.Quote:
Originally Posted by viper
That will be most appreciated. Awesome support, many thanksQuote:
Originally Posted by viper
Right, so micarta is actually a brand name but it’s layered cloth set with a heat cooked glue under pressure, g10 is different iis glass (fibreglass) using the same glue and pressure.
G10 is impervious to almost anything, micarta is almost as good but the outer layers can absorb whatever they contact, so when wet they swell very slightly which increases your grip as the fibres lift a tad, after they dry they go back to Anor all.
Both are a pig to cut and shape, and the dust is noxious..Gameco sells both, I get my g10 there, and have some I can give you, not yellow though, I get my micarta in Auckland and also have a little spare, I also have rimu scales and teak scales...
If I was you I would design the knife before I went and make up the scales beforehand, make them brighter than yiu need then cut them to shape there...
Hi @dannyb. I am about to make a sheath for gapped axe and was thinking about maybe doing like a photo doc, kinda instructional , for want of a better word, thread on how I make mine if you think that might be a good idea. There seems to be a few guys who would like to have a go at making their own but find the idea a little intimidating but really not that difficult. What do you think...good idea?Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyb
Of course that depends entirely on whether I can upload photos as I have had no success for several weeks....
great idea, yup it's hard not being able to upload pics I have had a few things I haven't posted up lately due to the hassle with not being able to upload pics.....I hear a upgrade is on the cards so hopefully that sorts it
Here is some more info on G10 that I gleaned of the interweb a few years back;Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelley
G10 is a designation for epoxy impregnated glass fabric. The term "G10" comes from a NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) specification, spec L1, "Industrial Laminated Thermosetting Products".
There is no Qualified Producers List for L1, it is a performance specification. Anyone can make G10, but, in order to be called G10, it has to have a specific set of properties.
Anything called G10 has to have certain minimum properties.
The military G10 laminate has its own spec, MIL-I-24768/2. The properties controlled by the MIL spec are similar to those controlled by the NEMA spec.
Its the same material and its going to be used for the same purpose, circuit boards.
Properties of G10 flat laminates per MIL-I-2478/2: (bold are applicable to use in knife making)
Dielectric breakdown voltage
Dielectric constant
Dissipation factor
Impact strength - Impact strength of a 3.175mm thick section is to be at least 7 ft-lb per inch
Flex strength - Flex strength of a 3.175mm thick section is to be a minimum of 55 KSI measured with the fabric
Water absorption.
Gxx variations
Grade CE Garolite: Compared to Grade XX Garolite, Grade CE offers higher impact strength. It's a cotton-cloth laminate with a phenolic resin binder.
Grade G-7 Garolite: A woven-glass-fabric laminate with silicone resin binder. It withstands high temperatures and is good for electrical applications.
Grade G-9 Garolite: This woven-glass fabric laminate has a melamine resin binder for superior strength. It retains its shape and size, plus is good for use in wet conditions.
Grade G-10 Garolite: A glass-cloth laminate with epoxy resin binder offering excellent strength and low water absorption.
Grade G-10/FR4 Garolite: A glass-cloth laminate with epoxy resin binder, this material is the flame-retardant version of standard G-10 Garolite. It offers excellent strength and low water absorption.
Grade G-11 Garolite: Similar to G-10 Garolite, except G-11 is stronger and can withstand higher temperatures. It's a glass-cloth laminate with epoxy resin binder.
Grade G-30 Glass Polyimide Garolite: Made of glass fabric with a polyimide resin binder.
I have made plenty of micarta, it is very easy . messy ,but easy. there are tutorals around. made some from denim which looks very cool .any linen is fine but the best stuff i found is the material hivis vests are made out of. and use epoxy rather than fibreglass resin,it is way better.
Attachment 148384
Check out this carbon/cloth stuff from Bestech
Awesome looking stuff....
Hiya,
I did the day at Barrytown in 2004, great day. Lots of fun and really good knife at the end of it. I am now a hobbyist the last few years. I have tried a number of suppliers, including gameco and aliexpress. For your money, you will be hard pressed to beat Jantz knife-making supplies for price and for customer service. I had a package lost so called them and they posted out replacements immediatly without question. There pricing is half of others and gets to NZ in about 2-3 weeks. They are https://knifemaking.com Have fun at Barrytown
