Making your own Denim Micarta for knife scales at home.

Custom Knife Making: DIY Denim Micarta
Thank you for joining me on my channel. Today, we will be making our own Denim Micarta to use as knife scales. You can use the same procedure and play around with different materials to create your own custom handle scales. Don’t forget to like and subscribe.
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided on this channel is for entertainment purposes only. Any action you as the viewer takes upon the information on this channel is strictly at your own risk, and Zeeman Knives will not be liable for any losses, damages, or personal injuries in connection with the use of this content (including losses, damages, or injuries sustained while you were trying to emulate the actions and projects on this channel).
Always wear the appropriate safety clothing.

[@random_eskimo_in_the_rockies]

One recommendation: Instead of using waxed paper, use cooking parchment instead. They sell parchment in the grocery store right alongside the waxed paper, and while it's a little more expensive, it works significantly better than waxed paper does.

[@zeemanknives]

Thank you for the tip...Ill keep an eye out for it when I'm out to buy more paper.

[@Psymon_Psays]

I’m probably not the only one that would love to see you create a finished knife using your DIY “Micarta”. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and techniques. Good information. 👍

[@zeemanknives]

Thank you, i actually used it in the "EDC tanto" video. Thanks for watching!

[@Psymon_Psays]

@@zeemanknives I’ll check that vid out - thanks again.

[@henkzeeman1955]

Thanks for tutoring us in the basics. 😎

[@zeemanknives]

Anytime! Thank you for watching!

[@marlizekruger5168]

Love it

[@zeemanknives]

Thank you for watching!

[@tylerparker3024]

Pretty cool

[@zeemanknives]

Thank you for watching

[@rynoalberts813]

Well done man awesome vid

[@zeemanknives]

Thank you for watching. Happy you enjoyed it.

[@Sahtzor]

Yay a voiceover video :) gj thanks for sharing. Maybe ill try this out at some point. Currently im kind of purist that works with wood, metal and leather only :p

[@zeemanknives]

Well im glad you enjoy the voiceovers...im not getting used to hearing myself talk on the vids...:). Yes, each definitly has its own merits. There is however some joy in knowing that you can create your own custom scales...i've seen some really cool textures, patterns and ideas from other knife makers. And...micarta is indestructable...well mostly anyway...

[@TheGarner77]

Always a man with a plan

[@zeemanknives]

We always try to make a plan...right? :)

[@holgerpresents]

Hello,
I've been making micarta myself for a while now.
Your video is inspirational - great job!
I leave a subscription - so keep it up!
Holger

[@zeemanknives]

Thank you, appreciate the subscription!

[@cr1172]

Do you have to do any other prep of the cured slab other than roughing out the outline before you attach to a blade? I wonder if your steel plates are better in that regard than some of the wooden presses I have seen online. Do I understand correctly that the thickness is for one side of the knife so you don't have to split it into two thinner slabs with a bandsaw? Thanks for the helpful video!

[@zeemanknives]

If your metal plates are clean and straight, then the only other prep is to ensure that your surfaces are completely flat and roughened up to give the epoxy a better hold. The idea is not to have the press plates bend under the pressure of clamping. If your wood is thick enough, that will be sufficient, but 6mm plate works good for me. It does bend a little bit under extreme clamping pressure, so just check that you apply even pressure. Yes, making thinner slabs is easier as its less time consuming, easier to clamp, and you cut a piece for either side of the handle. Hope this answers your questions!

[@gregs7519]

Nuts make great spacers. They are available in a variety of sizes, are available at every hardware store, and cost pennies each

[@zeemanknives]

That is a good tip, thank you for sharing!

[@christopherskipp1525]

Groovy.

[@zeemanknives]

It is indeed! Looks beautiful on a knife!

[@Anticvar.]

Очень хорошо получалось, возьму на заметку

[@zeemanknives]

Спасибо!

[@leokonge4624]

Nothing on earth could have prepared me for his accent but impressive work non the less

[@zeemanknives]

How so?

[@Torquemada71.]

​@@zeemanknivesi think he was expecting a typical loud American accent because that's what you normally hear on videos like this

[@stephangrobler5524]

Enjoying the vids thanks. Stupid question. Could one try this with leather?

[@zeemanknives]

I dont think it wil work...because leather is too dense. You need the epoxy to soak into the material to harden it. However, having said that, i see many guys resin cast all sorts interesting material with casting resin to make custom scales, so maybe thats something worth looking into.

[@theprojectproject01]

I think you could, but you'd need a thin and soft leather. No more than maybe .8mm thick. Deerskin or chamois might work.

[@matiasuribeescobar7559]

Hello, could you show me how to polish the micarta so that it looks and feels like the texture of denim? What specific instruments or sandpapers are used? thank you!!

[@zeemanknives]

You can check out the "EDC Tanto" video on my channel. I used this piece for the handles on that knife.

[@robertd6925]

Money wise is it significantly cheaper?

[@zeemanknives]

Yes it is...also it allows you to play around with different combinations of material.

[@waynelocklear6013]

Awesome 👌

[@zeemanknives]

Thank you!

[@tylerparker3024]

What type of resin did you use

[@zeemanknives]

I used fibreglass resin

[@tango-bravo]

@@zeemanknives what brand?

[@yashpanchal2184]

What is the final thickness of finished product ?

[@zeemanknives]

About 12mm...it all depends how many layers you use and how tight you clamp it down

[@oguzkorkmaz8426]

Why it was not required vacum process?

[@zeemanknives]

The steel plates are clamped down tight enough to compress the fabric and squeeze out all the air.

[@Jesse_Ghost_]

ha my surname is Ziman 😉

[@zeemanknives]

Pleased to meet you Mr. Ziman!

[@mailfisherblade101]

Can u tell me what kind of chemical that u use..

[@zeemanknives]

I use Polyester Resin (Fibreglass resin). You can use Epoxy based resin as well, but that is more expensive.

[@mailfisherblade101]

Tq bro

[@Jesse_Ghost_]

you South African too ?

[@zeemanknives]

Hi Jesse. Yes I am.

[@Gevorgyan1983]

hello can you write in what liquid dipped?

[@zeemanknives]

It is Fibre Glass resin...

[@andrewparsons1869]

Make a guitar out of some , baby different colors

[@zeemanknives]

Interesting idea for a guitar...however probably a bit out of my skillset...:)

[@michaelsimms7396]

What type of resin

[@zeemanknives]

I use fibre glass resin.

[@percival23]

That is a lot of expensive Resin wasted.

[@zeemanknives]

Its fibreglass resin, not epoxy resin...its actually so cheap...i can make enough for 6 knive handles for the same price as a single piece of store bought G10 / micarta for one knife.

[@squattingturtle7976]

this video hurt my brain...

[@zeemanknives]

Why so?

[@Rockhound2001]

please, cut the intro to max 5 seconds it is too long...

[@TheOneAndOnlySame]

Micarta is cured under pressure and high temp for hours and it uses phenolic resin. This is not micarta.
This is "something" and it maybe a nice something. But not micarta.
Your something does look nice anyway

[@zeemanknives]

Probable not the same as original Micarta yes...but the idea is show that you can achieve similar results at home. Lets call it "Resin cured denim" then.

[@Psymon_Psays]

Micarta is actually a brand name, so anyone making a resin-based, layered material like this isn’t making Micarta. Comments like this aren’t really necessary or helpful. Z is sharing his knowledge and techniques to help the community in a positive way.

[@TheOneAndOnlySame]

@@Psymon_Psays oooh dude. You can say what you want about brand name or not, if I show a tutorial to make coca cola and I use strictly the same recipe, I am making coca cola and not something else. I really feel that your comment is the one out of place

[@TheOneAndOnlySame]

@@Psymon_Psays addendum: I did make some "home made micarta* myself , with two different brands of epoxy : it's crap. It starts to goes soft/wobbly at 35°c/95F , even at lower temperature it's not very strong. and it smells . It is very clear that the lack of high temp curing and high pressures makes it something else entirely . Something crappy.
I do not recommend using this "technique" , just buy stock micarta from professional suppliers .

[@zeemanknives]

I'm sorry to hear that your DIY micarta did not work out. I too have had failures to cure on two occasions...one was in cold weather, and the other was not adding enough catalyst to the mix. Having said that, i use fibreglass resin, and have had very good success over the years. Some of my first knives i ever made i used my own "micarta" and it still holds up perfectly. I used this exact same block for my EDC tanto knive video and it worked perfectly...i mean here in South Africa we easily reach 35-40 degrees celcius daily temps, and none of my handle scales went soft ever. Its like everything else in life, some ideas work, some dont. I agree there are better products on the market, and it will make your life easier, but not everyone has access to those products...materials like canvas micarta and g10 was almost impossible to get here 5 years ago, im simply trying to show people that there is a plan B. "Micarta" is sort of a loving term we use to describe a resin laminated product, even though it might not be the genuine "Micarta"...So having all that said, theres no need to argue about the topic. The beauty of knivemaking is that you can express creativity in many different ways...and this is one of those ways for me...you can really apply this method and make your own custom handle scales. Keep well!