Spyderco Forums

Assuming I want grippy denim micarta handles, what grit should I sand to?

Since grippy is subjective, it really depends on how grippy you want it to be. If you want very grippy and you want it to remain very grippy you'll need to touch it up from time to time because micarta will absorb hand oils and smooth out over time. I'd say that at about 400 grit you're getting very smooth. 320 grit might be considered grippy compared to 5000 grit polished, but 80 grit makes 320 grit seem slick. I'd say start at 80 grit and focus on getting everything nice and even. Then if you want it smoother, go to 120, 240, 320...until you like it. I don't know exactly how you want it to feel but my guess is you'll probably like 120 for mix of grippiness and a nice look.

Thanks. I finally got my g10 in, but unfortunately the 1.5” pre-cut scales are about 1/16” too small. I have to send them back and get more. Hopeful they’ll cut 2” scales and spacers for me.

Over the Christmas holiday I played around with making a few scales. 15 sets to be exact, funny thing is I only have 4 mules. :D I'll eventually get around to using woods but for now it's micarta and kirinite. Linen, paper, and canvas Micarta and various Kirinits including some glow in the dark. Messed up a few times but I don't mind...learning curve. My kids teamed up and bought me this PD#1 mule and it's my favorite so far:

legOFwhat? wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:36 am

Over the Christmas holiday I played around with making a few scales. 15 sets to be exact, funny thing is I only have 4 mules. :D I'll eventually get around to using woods but for now it's micarta and kirinite. Linen, paper, and canvas Micarta and various Kirinits including some glow in the dark. Messed up a few times but I don't mind...learning curve. My kids teamed up and bought me this PD#1 mule and it's my favorite so far:

Nice work! I like the R/W/B theme on the 2 I can see in the picture. Sounds like you must have had fun with it if you made 15 sets!

Xplorer wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 12, 2019 12:42 am

Nice work! I like the R/W/B theme on the 2 I can see in the picture. Sounds like you must have had fun with it if you made 15 sets!

Yep loads of fun! I have enough material to make another 10 or so sets just to practice and get a feel for what materials I like most, then maybe buy a few more mules for the scales I like best.

Finally got around to grabbing four more PD#1 mules (6 total) and fitting them to the scales I made over Christmas vacation.



Left to right: Sun spot kirinite/gitd, chocolate brown canvas micarta, red pearl kirinite, white Pearl Kirinite, red linen micarta, olive drab canvas micarta/ green gitd, textured g-10, black/red linen micarta.

Probably make about 8-10 more and pick up some mules other than the PD#1 and PMA11's. Thought I'd share...

Very Nice Lego, that red Pearl kirinite really pops, and is by far the most appealing to me.

Here is one I just finished for my son. PD#1 and Raffir spalted beech with dragon pin. He has a thing for dragons and I purchased this 3 headed dragon in Bangkok Thailand a few years ago, so I found a 1/4" dragon pin and thought it would fit in perfect.







This is my 1st pinned knife attempt and it got a little scary with the 5 min epoxy :eek:

5 minute epoxy = STRESS! :eek: :D . Good job getting it together in time. The handle looks beautiful!

CK

Love that sheath! Handle too!

Thanks for sharing

Im hoping to get my first Mule in Spy27,,,,,,will be watching,,,,

legOFwhat? wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:01 am

Love that sheath! Handle too!

Thanks (Finally worked out how to add slightly better pictures)

standy99 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:53 am

Thanks (Finally worked out how to add slightly better pictures)

Looking good! Really like the mosaic pin location too!

legOFwhat? wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:17 am

standy99 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:53 am

Thanks (Finally worked out how to add slightly better pictures)

Looking good! Really like the mosaic pin location too!

Few of your Spare scales I would like to pinch to use on another PD1
I kind of love how you have left most of yours interchangeable....

standy99 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:25 am

Few of your Spare scales I would like to pinch to use on another PD1
I kind of love how you have left most of yours interchangeable....

Having them interchangeable has really helped me find what I like and don't about shape, material and appearance. There is also an amount of insecurity on my part, in that if I mess up at least the knife can be reused with less work. That was my thinking in the beginning while just learning, but I've grown to really like the fact that I can maintain under the scales.

I didn't realize, with heavy use, how much sweat and water would wick underneath especially on a few PMA11's.

legOFwhat? wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 11:20 am

standy99 wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:25 am

Few of your Spare scales I would like to pinch to use on another PD1
I kind of love how you have left most of yours interchangeable....

I didn't realize, with heavy use, how much sweat and water would wick underneath especially on a few PMA11's.

Have used a thin layer of felt sprayed to damp with Inox (food grade) Placed under the scales stops most of the wicking effect.

This has become one of my favorite threads - quite a lot of skill and amazing work going on here.