Micarta Ferrule Grain

[meridianblades]

This picture has been posted here a few times, but it brings up a question I have in cutting material. Is there a reason why the micarta grain has to run the same direction as the shaft? Is there a reason why it couldn't be perpendicular to the shaft...?

Would you consider using it for joint material as well or is it too ugly?

 

[Tommy-D]

I'm not sure why,but believe it had to do with the way the stuff was manufactured,and I noticed this too.

In fact,I've never seen one that WASN'T like that.

I personally don't think it's ugly at all.

I don't see any reason to not use it for a joint collar,esp if you have it in large enough sections. It blends nicely with a lot of woods color-wise,and almost bullet-proof as far as durability.

One of my all-time fave Hoppe style cues had it for the ring in the butt sleeve. Tommy D.

 

[pdcue]

This picture has been posted here a few times, but it brings up a question I have in cutting material. Is there a reason why the micarta grain has to run the same direction as the shaft? Is there a reason why it couldn't be perpendicular to the shaft...?

Would you consider using it for joint material as well or is it too ugly?
QUOTE]

The pic is of one of the versions of Micarta used after the original material
was no longer available, and might not even be "real" Micarta at all.
The name Micarta was trademarked by Westinghouse.

The grain is actually the edge-on view of the lamminated sheets used to
build up the thickness. The original Micarta wasn't lamminated, and was a
totallly different resin. Though this later is preferred my many - YMMV.

Specifically, if made from sheet rod, one never cuts across the sheets
due to the risk of de-lammination. Even If made from rolled rod/tube,
the lines become visible once the material is turned down.

Joints - First off, good luck finding any of diameter big enough to use for
a joint. I have made a few cues with Micarta joints and they are great.

Ugly!!! Excuse me, but the reason for using Micarta in the first place was
it resembles aged Ivory - knife makers used it before cuemakers did.

IMHO - ugly would be taking a beautiful piece of exotic wood and
processing it into some tacky looking plastic. But who's counting?

Dale(de-ranting)

 

[meridianblades]

Thanks for your insight Tommy...

Hi Dale,
Yeah I read the thread...and all the nonsense about who has the "original" micarta...blah blah blah.....gotta love all the in-fighting. :thumbup: I am very familiar with the history. I am a knifemaker, synthetics are very popular, and have been for a very long time. Lots of guys making their own version of it in their shops. The de-lamination theory was what I was looking for. -Thanks.

As far as ugly goes...thats what others HERE have said. I own thousands of dollars of micarta (paper / linen / canvas) and other synthetics, especially layered G-10/11, burlap mycarta, glowing carbon fiber... the list goes on. I understand the benefits of using it.....

Not to go too far off topic but........
I could show you pics of many pieces of stabilized wood and natural wood of the same species, and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference, unless I told you which was processed....

I really don't need to argue the benefits of stabilization, there are entire industries that use it daily, and the results speak for themselves, and its been refined for over 50+ yrs now.

If you would've said "The dyed woods look tacky, and unnatural"...... Yeah, I can see someone not liking the looks of blue, green, black or purple burl....maybe they think it looks unnatural. Lots of people prefer traditional looking wood colors. It comes down to personal preference and what look you desire. People like what they like...simple as that. I'm not a huge fan of "fresh" ivories, but I see why and how it's used for cues.

Anyways, I appreciate your input on the delamination...

You know if I own this stuff, there's not much I think is UGLY. Psychedelics anyone?....