Help!

[Don Robinson]

I found an old set of blanks for scales in a drawer. I've forgotten buying them.

I think they are paper micarta. White.

This flipper hasn't been finished anywhere yet. Everything is just roughed out.

I'm about ready to sand and finish the scales and can't find any info about it.

If you've used paper micarta in the past please tell me what kind of stuff will work to seal it.

As you can see, my hand prints are all over it now.

I included a piece of the original blocks in the photo.

Believe it or not, this is lying on the top of my solid oak work bench. This is what happens to a nice finish after 25 years or so of knifemaking.

[argel55]

If they are the white (chalky looking ) micarta, the best I have done is hand sand them using windex. Windex keeps the black in solution to wipe off.

[Don Robinson]

Thanks for that, Argel.

Do you know how to seal them?

[argel55]

Just polished them with pink no scratch.

[Don Robinson]

OK, thanks.

I thought they would stain and show fingerprints.

[Don Robinson]

Well, I know now why people don't use white paper micarta!!

I guess there's no way to seal it to keep it from staining.

[GHNorfleet]

Don, I just go through the steps of sanding and stop at 400 grit. After that I get a high polish by just using the white buffing compound and it turns out great every time. I have never had a problem with straight white paper micarta. Canvas and linen I treat a little differently as they will pick up any black spec on the wheel if you are not careful.

[Don Robinson]

Thanks, Gil.

How do you treat the linen? I don't know whether this is paper or linen.

[Don Robinson]

Well, it didn't turn out too bad, I guess.

Flipper blade of ATS34 is flat ground on one side only.

Anodized Ti bolsters and liners.

White micarta scales.

The scales don't show marks, just as Gil says.

[GHNorfleet]

The main thing with the paper micarta is to buff the heck out of it and it will be great.

[R. Yates]

Don,

It can be engraved, carved or scrimshawed. Easy to cut, To finish simply sand smooth up to 1000 to 2500 grit ( or desired finish) then polish to a brilliant shine using white or pink rouge on a soft buffing wheel. I do white over pink first and then finish with White as a final to keep things as clean as possible. remember to tape off the metals so it does not bleed on the Buffing wheel and into the scales .

The knife turned out Awesome by the way .

Sam

[Craigb]

Turned out great Don!

[Don Robinson]

Thanks for the help and compliments, guys.