Micarta is a genericized trademark referring to a composite material made from layers of paper or fabric impregnated with thermosetting resin. It is rigid, tough, and electrically insulating, and has many applications ranging from power distribution equipment to countertops. It is also commonly used in knife, gun, and tool handles, where its laminated construction offers decorative effects ranging from subtle wood-grain-like patterns to out-and-out gaudy riots of color.
If you’ve ever bought a ceramic knife, it probably came with instructions, in the package, to return it to the manufacturer for resharpening instead of trying to do it yourself. This video is kind of a giant Kyocera commercial, but it does include some cool footage of what this process actually looks like, in case you’ve ever wondered.
I like these hand-forged oyster knives from Kirk Davis and Michael Waller of Carolina Shuckers enough to actually consider eating a raw oyster, so long as I got to use one to open it, first. Reminds me of the work of Tai Goo. [via Dude Craft] More:Railroad Spike Rope Dart
While on a trip to Mendoza, Argentina, I came across a man sharpening scissors using a bicycle to power his grinding wheel. It’s a clever lo-tech combination.
Joel Bukiewicz of Cut Brooklyn talks about the value of handmade, and how that extends to his line of kitchen knives that he builds in his studio in Brooklyn, New York. Joel was a writer by trade who, after taking a three month sabbatical, found the desire to make things instead. He worked with wood, made jewelry, and eventually ended up making hunting knives.
A bit of nail polish, a container of salt water, a 9V battery, a Q-tip, and some alligator leads. That’s pretty much it. Easy, inexpensive process from Instructables user lasersage appears to give impressive results.
A kukri is the incredibly large and heavy knife carried by Gurkha soldiers. Real kukri knives are handmade by knife smiths in primitive village forges in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal. I ordered mine from a knife maker in Kathmandu. Even with shipping, for a handmade item such as this, the cost was surprisingly reasonable (well under $100).
