Blue Jean Micarta (home made)

[canders]

I got the idea after doing a google search and found a guy on bladeforums who did a tutorial on it. I used 15 layers about 1.5in wide and around 10in long. He shows an example of how it looks on a finished knife and its beautiful. I just got it cut today tomorrow ill finish it up and ill post pics as i go for anyone who might be interested. Id also like to see some of yalls micarta and what you used to make it.
 
 

[Scott Roush]

Very interesting. I guess I didn't know that folks made Micarta. Keep us(me?) tuned in.

[R H Clark]

What kind of epoxy do you use to glue the layers together and what kind of press.

[UMLarcher]

I'm with Mossanimal on this one. Keep us posted. I'm very interested to see how it turns out

[skullworks]

I've seen a lot of guys that do it. Pretty neat end products! Especially when you use burlap! Love to see the finished results.

[canders]

I found a guy on blade forums after doing a "how to make micarta" search who had an excellent post on the how to side of it and his finished product was beautiful. For whatever reason i cant post the link here but if you use my same search words on google he will be the first link. I used the normal bondo fiberglass resin and a spatula to spread it liberally on the layers. My high tech clamping system (c clamps and plywood) works good and like the guy mentions in the article make sure you have a drain pan cuz when u clamp it it will squeeze some resin out. I used wax paper to keep it from sticking. I hope mine turns out as pretty as the guy's in the link did.
 
 
 

[imskippy]

I too have just been wanting to try this. So I went out and bought the resin and some felt material from walmart in black and orange. First problem was my board snapped as I was clamping it so I scrambled for a new one. The biggest problem I ended up with was the golden color of the epoxy darkened the orange too much for my liking. I'll have to get a pic up tonight if I can. I put a pair of my work jeans in the wash this weekend so I could cut them up for just that purpose too. I think the search is on for a truely clear epoxy. Skippy

[Scott Roush]

burlap eh? I can see that making a nice natural looking 'burl'....

great. another project to think about. There just isn't enough time....

[craig1955]

Great info. I'm going to give it a try.

[canders]

Here are some pics of finish product.  As the original article says make sure you place it in an area at around 70deg so that it can fully dry. I got a little antsy and cut a small strip off the end of my blank to see what it looks like sanded down and i ended up with still uncured resin on my hands and sand paper so make sure it is dry.  The knife blank will be my swap knife and i hope it has some cool jeancarta scales for who ever gets it.
 
 
 

[kuch]

i can't wait to see how this turns out. keep up the pics.