Did some maintenance to my M4 Manix XL today. Cleaned the scales and pivot, re-lubed, tightened down all body screws, and gave it a fresh edge.
I've seen some folks talk about building up a patina on their micarta scales.
I've always been in the opposite camp. I think it's kind of gross not cleaning them, same as any other scale material. I also find the scales grippier and better feeling overall when they're fresh.
What do you do with your micarta?
Is the way you treat your micarta scales similar or different to how you treat an FRN, G10, Ti or wood scaled knife?
I’ve only dealt with micarta with a pretty high polish finish like on the street beat, which don’t track a lot of dirt or grime as much as say a canvas micarta with a more bare finish. Manix looks good vivi
I don't clean micarta scales, except for cleaning the inside of lint and debris every so often. When I have a task that requires getting the knife very dirty, I reach for something in FRN or Ti as I find those easier to thoroughly clean.
I've never thought of micarta with my sweat and bodily oils as gross. I don't use folders for food prep so it's not a big deal to me.
I'd only clean em if I maybe got something sticky on them. I use them for food etc and don't think twice. I'm not much of a germaphobe. Rub some dirt in that cut and get back to work!
i never clean any of my scales, but they also don't really get very dirty. if i had gunk in frn, id definitely clean it out with a brush though because it would affect grip. i don't find micarta gross when it takes on oils though, and it doesn't seem to hinder my grip either.
i wouldn't group micarta in with other grip materials though... because it can take on oils and 'patina' to me, it looks like it's supposed to when it's 'dirty'.
The porous nature of Micarta makes it a great medium for harbouring all sorts of microrganisms, but unless you're immunocompromised (or live/work with people who are); or you use your knife in particularly unsanitary conditions or in situations where it can come into contact & absorb bodily fluids that can potentially be infectious, I don't think you need to go to any great lengths to sanitize Micarta scales beyond what you would normally do with FRN or G10 scales, like maybe wiping it down with isopropyl alcohol.
The porous nature of Micarta makes it a great medium for harbouring all sorts of microrganisms, but unless you're immunocompromised (or live/work with people who are); or you use your knife in particularly unsanitary conditions or in situations where it can come into contact & absorb bodily fluids that can potentially be infectious, I don't think you need to go to any great lengths to sanitize Micarta scales beyond what you would normally do with FRN or G10 scales, like maybe wiping it down with isopropyl alcohol.
that's all I did with these. toothbrush + rubbing alcohol. Same thing I do with all my other scales.
I just find it interesting there's no real debate about cleaning other types of scales, but looking at the replies here it seems about 50/50 whether people clean micarta.
I'm not particularly grossed out by an accumulation of body oils, dead skin and lint on my knife scales. I just think they're grippier after cleaning, which makes the tool more functional for me. G10, micarta, FRN....all grip better for me after cleaning.
I voted only if very dirty . I did clean my Crucarta once after forcing it to darken . It now only has darkened from use from my hands . I do brush/ wipe down FRN as needed . Same with G10 , over time black G10 seems to get a white glaze from sweaty hands which I clean and wipe down with baby oil . Dan
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I just think they're grippier after cleaning, which makes the tool more functional for me. G10, micarta, FRN....all grip better for me after cleaning.
maybe this would be more noticeable if spyderco didn't have such great ergonomics. my only micarta spydercos are two manixes, a military 2, and a mule team. they're all so comfortable in my grip that it wouldn't matter if they had polished scales.
I think the best way to clean them especially if you're going to RIT dye them is to soak them in 5050 bleech hot water and rinse them off with dawn and hot water before you soak them. They come out perfectly clean and ready for whatever you're going to do. I've done this half a dozen times probably.
I'll only clean mine if very dirty. I think anyone would do this. Who would want blood, guts, and other stuff on their knife? On the other hand, the so called "patina" is simply the Micarta absorbing oils from a person's hands and etc. I like the way it looks, so I won't clean the scales if that is all that is going on.
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Micarta darkens when it absorbs body oil. Dark micarta = dirty micarta.
My knives get sweaty just from being in my pocket. They get even worse if I use them for something like cutting up bait or in the kitchen. Whatever I'm carrying gets washed twice a month or so or more. Again, like my hat.
Depends on the knife and what got them stained. When I do I just do a couple rub downs with alcohol. For the most part I like the hand oiled look and feel.
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