Home Forums Gear Knives and Blades Homemade Scales

First off I want to mention that I have been lurking on the 'fire for some time and thanks to you all I now have a new appreciation for knives. I always enjoyed them for their usefulness, but I hadn't paid much attention to aesthetics until I stumbled onto this sub-forum.

Thats all I needed...another hobby.

I tried my hand at making a set of scales (micarta type) for a blank that I purchased, and although it came out fairly well for a first try, I want to learn how to refine the process.

The scales had some small pitting in them that showed up after sanding. There were not many, but they certainly detracted from the overall appearance of the knife. I realize that this could be solved by simply purchasing the scale material but I want to learn how to do this with some proficiency.

Could this be fixed with more pressure, or perhaps more care taken when stirring the fiberglass resin?

Thanks in advance!

I's all about the pics Chester.

Let's see it bud......

I know, I know.


The knife is not with me. I'll try to get a picture up when I can.

If you ever feel inlined, make up some nice Carhartt micarta and I'll trade you some nice hardwood scales for some...........

Just based on what you described it sounds like air bubbles which is all about the mixing. Frankly I never thought making imicarta was worth the trouble, but I've seen some decent stuff done that you can't generally buy.

I'd like to see these carhartt scales. Sounds interesting.

Here is a close up of the pitting on the handle.







I know that this is probably more work than it is worth, but I like being able to create the color combinations and give it a personal touch.

It also seems to be a good way to learn quite a bit without investing much more than time into the process.

Years ago, when I used a lot of linen micarta, especially maroon, and it would have pits in it, as those shown.

I shaped the scales on a Square Wheel, and after ruining a bunch of it, I finally figured that I was getting it too hot.

I found that by using a sharp belt and grinding very easy, I did not have the pitting any more. It also took very little heat and pressure to cause the pitting.

This may or may not be your problem, but it is a suggestion.

Thanks guys! For the next batch I will try to be careful when mixing the resin, and I will take it slow when shaping the handle. Hopefully these steps will resolve this issue.

having never made my own, I'm only guessing, but I'd also be real sure I was thoroughly coating each layer. It looks like it was too dry between layers to me, but that may also have been trapped air/bubbles. seems to me that is the key. Don't over stir the resin. Ensure that you thoroughly coat each layer and carefully get out all the air between layers. Like I said, just guessin' as I've never done it myself.