Do you clean your micarta scales?

[vivi]

Never clean your scales. When they're sticky the grip is more positive and they can't just fall out of your pockets. It's like they're velcro'd in.

seems to depends on the users hands, because all my micarta knives grip much better after scrubbing them with BKF.

Never had a micarta knife fall out of my pocket either way. Sounds like a clip tension issue.

[Danke]

Also if you don't shower eventually you become waterproof.

[vivi]

Also if you don't shower eventually you become waterproof.

you also become lady proof

[Nate]

If they’re dirty, I wash ‘em up. Then wipe the blades down with a microfiber cloth and a dab of mineral oil. Really brings out a nice luster on the micarta for a while. These haven’t seen anything recently though.



Wait, where am I???

[endura3]

If they’re dirty, I wash ‘em up. Then wipe the blades down with a microfiber cloth and a dab of mineral oil. Really brings out a nice luster on the micarta for a while. These haven’t seen anything recently though.



Wait, where am I???

Hey, they all have Spydieholes! Nice collection.

I clean micarta scales occasionally only because I find the grip is usually better for me in use when they're dry/clean. I'm sure it depends to some degree on the type of micarta though, and also whether your hands are dry.

Like I'm sitting here fiddling with a delica that has dirty/oily linen micarta scales, my hands are dry, and the purchase on the scales feels great. But if I'm using a knife, my hands are usually at least a little sweaty, wet or dirty, and I've found in practice that I have a better grip on clean/dry scales then.

[raygixxer89]

before and after cleaning those same scales on the M4 manix. Though they've been dyed green since I made this thread.





Still think this is the way to go.

It's not a patina. It's accumulated dirt, oil, dead skin and other funk.

The scales of all my knives always grip better after a nice scrub down....micarta being no exception. FRN, G10...they always have a more sure grip for me after a quick scrub with bar keepers friend,hot water and a green scouring pad.

the colors pops more now too

I agree. I like the way they look after a good cleaning. Nice and fresh! Since I have access to spray bottles of IPA at work, I'll spritz the handles and let air dry.

That's crazy! Your IPA comes in a spray bottle? Six pack,12 pack or growler?

It's isopropyl alcohol. We use it at work, lol. I've brought some empty spray containers home and added my own alcohol in them because it's a pretty handy way to use it.

[vivi]

[Ocho]

before and after cleaning those same scales on the M4 manix. Though they've been dyed green since I made this thread.





Still think this is the way to go.

It's not a patina. It's accumulated dirt, oil, dead skin and other funk.

The scales of all my knives always grip better after a nice scrub down....micarta being no exception. FRN, G10...they always have a more sure grip for me after a quick scrub with bar keepers friend,hot water and a green scouring pad.

the colors pops more now too

I agree. I like the way they look after a good cleaning. Nice and fresh! Since I have access to spray bottles of IPA at work, I'll spritz the handles and let air dry.

That's crazy! Your IPA comes in a spray bottle? Six pack,12 pack or growler?

It's isopropyl alcohol. We use it at work, lol. I've brought some empty spray containers home and added my own alcohol in them because it's a pretty handy way to use it.

Copy that.. but back to the subject, I just swapped the Stormtrooper White frns on a mini bug out to some Micarta scales. And they look sooo much better after I wiped them down with an oil rag (mineral oil) I have for wiping down tools.

The colors popped and the grain was so much more accentuated. A Patina doesn't have to be dead skin, sweat and smegma as our friend mentioned. You can control the "funk" with regular cleaning and then just reapply the oils using mink oil, mineral oil or some other means of darkening and adding luster to the scales.
Furthermore, I would surmise that if the Micarta scales are already sufficiently impregnated with quote unquote "Clean Oils", they're probably less likely to soak up the other less favorable (and "traceable" for you serial killers)
body oils..
At the end of the day it all comes to a matter of preference. Do you like your scales clean and crispy with that new scale smell.. or do you like them broke in and comfy like an old pair of jeans. I would put to you that this is the "Pursuit of Happiness" envisioned by our forefathers... The freedom to choose what makes you happy.
So let your freak flag fly and Stay Sharp! I'm going to get me another IPA.. (spray bottle optional)

[Fireman]

I like to keep my micarta as clean as my mind

[Fireman]

I agree. I like the way they look after a good cleaning. Nice and fresh! Since I have access to spray bottles of IPA at work, I'll spritz the handles and let air dry.

That's crazy! Your IPA comes in a spray bottle? Six pack,12 pack or growler?

It's isopropyl alcohol. We use it at work, lol. I've brought some empty spray containers home and added my own alcohol in them because it's a pretty handy way to use it.

Copy that.. but back to the subject, I just swapped the Stormtrooper White frns on a mini bug out to some Micarta scales. And they look sooo much better after I wiped them down with an oil rag (mineral oil) I have for wiping down tools.
Screenshot_20250915-140252_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20250915-140311_Gallery.jpgThe colors popped and the grain was so much more accentuated. A Patina doesn't have to be dead skin, sweat and smegma as our friend mentioned. You can control the "funk" with regular cleaning and then just reapply the oils using mink oil, mineral oil or some other means of darkening and adding luster to the scales.
Furthermore, I would surmise that if the Micarta scales are already sufficiently impregnated with quote unquote "Clean Oils", they're probably less likely to soak up the other less favorable (and "traceable" for you serial killers)
body oils..
At the end of the day it all comes to a matter of preference. Do you like your scales clean and crispy with that new scale smell.. or do you like them broke in and comfy like an old pair of jeans. I would put to you that this is the "Pursuit of Happiness" envisioned by our forefathers... The freedom to choose what makes you happy.
So let your freak flag fly and Stay Sharp! I'm going to get me another IPA.. (spray bottle optional)

Have your micarta scales soak in melted beeswax to prevent DNA transmission and use essential oils if desired added to hot bees wax to make them a personal deadly air freshener it worked well with peanut oil too. Smelled like peanut butter for like a year!

[TkoK83Spy]

Looks better darker!

[Fireman]

Also if you don't shower eventually you become waterproof.

Well, you would be hydrophobic Ba dum tiss…

[Ocho]

That's crazy! Your IPA comes in a spray bottle? Six pack,12 pack or growler?

It's isopropyl alcohol. We use it at work, lol. I've brought some empty spray containers home and added my own alcohol in them because it's a pretty handy way to use it.

Copy that.. but back to the subject, I just swapped the Stormtrooper White frns on a mini bug out to some Micarta scales. And they look sooo much better after I wiped them down with an oil rag (mineral oil) I have for wiping down tools.
Screenshot_20250915-140252_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20250915-140311_Gallery.jpgThe colors popped and the grain was so much more accentuated. A Patina doesn't have to be dead skin, sweat and smegma as our friend mentioned. You can control the "funk" with regular cleaning and then just reapply the oils using mink oil, mineral oil or some other means of darkening and adding luster to the scales.
Furthermore, I would surmise that if the Micarta scales are already sufficiently impregnated with quote unquote "Clean Oils", they're probably less likely to soak up the other less favorable (and "traceable" for you serial killers)
body oils..
At the end of the day it all comes to a matter of preference. Do you like your scales clean and crispy with that new scale smell.. or do you like them broke in and comfy like an old pair of jeans. I would put to you that this is the "Pursuit of Happiness" envisioned by our forefathers... The freedom to choose what makes you happy.
So let your freak flag fly and Stay Sharp! I'm going to get me another IPA.. (spray bottle optional)

Have your micarta scales soak in melted beeswax to prevent DNA transmission and use essential oils if desired added to hot bees wax to make them a personal deadly air freshener it worked well with peanut oil too. Smelled like peanut butter for like a year!

okay.. bees, peanuts, and then what? Fill the epinephrine pen with fentanyl just to seal the deal?

[Fireman]

It's isopropyl alcohol. We use it at work, lol. I've brought some empty spray containers home and added my own alcohol in them because it's a pretty handy way to use it.

Copy that.. but back to the subject, I just swapped the Stormtrooper White frns on a mini bug out to some Micarta scales. And they look sooo much better after I wiped them down with an oil rag (mineral oil) I have for wiping down tools.
Screenshot_20250915-140252_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20250915-140311_Gallery.jpgThe colors popped and the grain was so much more accentuated. A Patina doesn't have to be dead skin, sweat and smegma as our friend mentioned. You can control the "funk" with regular cleaning and then just reapply the oils using mink oil, mineral oil or some other means of darkening and adding luster to the scales.
Furthermore, I would surmise that if the Micarta scales are already sufficiently impregnated with quote unquote "Clean Oils", they're probably less likely to soak up the other less favorable (and "traceable" for you serial killers)
body oils..
At the end of the day it all comes to a matter of preference. Do you like your scales clean and crispy with that new scale smell.. or do you like them broke in and comfy like an old pair of jeans. I would put to you that this is the "Pursuit of Happiness" envisioned by our forefathers... The freedom to choose what makes you happy.
So let your freak flag fly and Stay Sharp! I'm going to get me another IPA.. (spray bottle optional)

Have your micarta scales soak in melted beeswax to prevent DNA transmission and use essential oils if desired added to hot bees wax to make them a personal deadly air freshener it worked well with peanut oil too. Smelled like peanut butter for like a year!

okay.. bees, peanuts, and then what? Fill the epinephrine pen with fentanyl just to seal the deal?

[raygixxer89]

I agree. I like the way they look after a good cleaning. Nice and fresh! Since I have access to spray bottles of IPA at work, I'll spritz the handles and let air dry.

That's crazy! Your IPA comes in a spray bottle? Six pack,12 pack or growler?

It's isopropyl alcohol. We use it at work, lol. I've brought some empty spray containers home and added my own alcohol in them because it's a pretty handy way to use it.

Copy that.. but back to the subject, I just swapped the Stormtrooper White frns on a mini bug out to some Micarta scales. And they look sooo much better after I wiped them down with an oil rag (mineral oil) I have for wiping down tools.
Screenshot_20250915-140252_Gallery.jpgScreenshot_20250915-140311_Gallery.jpgThe colors popped and the grain was so much more accentuated. A Patina doesn't have to be dead skin, sweat and smegma as our friend mentioned. You can control the "funk" with regular cleaning and then just reapply the oils using mink oil, mineral oil or some other means of darkening and adding luster to the scales.
Furthermore, I would surmise that if the Micarta scales are already sufficiently impregnated with quote unquote "Clean Oils", they're probably less likely to soak up the other less favorable (and "traceable" for you serial killers)
body oils..
At the end of the day it all comes to a matter of preference. Do you like your scales clean and crispy with that new scale smell.. or do you like them broke in and comfy like an old pair of jeans. I would put to you that this is the "Pursuit of Happiness" envisioned by our forefathers... The freedom to choose what makes you happy.
So let your freak flag fly and Stay Sharp! I'm going to get me another IPA.. (spray bottle optional)

Wow, those are some really good looking scales! I'm kinda a clean need when it comes to my equipment but I understand the looks of dark micarta. It looks good.