Thread: Trouble Polishing/Finishing G-10 Scales

I've got a few sets of G-10 scales nearly completed. The firstset in the pic is the set I'm trying to finish right now. I've tried smoothing out the surface with a coarse sanding pad until it looked uniform, but white/grey areas are still there when I go to higher grits. The first set is sanded to about 1k-1,500 grit.
The third scale in the pic has the unfinished side up. It just has scratches from the concrete I put it on before sawing. My goal was to get them back to that slick, solid black look when I was done with them.
Do they need work with a coarse sanding pad, or is there something else I should do?

Thanks. I appreciate the advice I've gotten so far and it has been really helpful while working on my SR's.

G-10 is a beast because the thread is harder than the plastic matrix. Best I ever was able to do was get it very close with sand wet dry papers and finish with CA and sand it back to a polish. Some of the guys just sand as fine as possible and let that show the G-10 as it is. In industry we used bondo and body putty to finish the stuff and that don't fly for razors
~Geezer.

If the thread is harder than the plastic base, would it be a good idea to use less pressure when I'm sanding?

Is Micarta easier to polish?

I will let you in on the secret, as soon as I get a set that I really like. I too have had issues with G10. I have found that I go back and forth in the grit a lot. What I have not tried but will the next time I am playing around in the shop, is to use the buffer and keep wetting my material. I have no idea how it will work but it is super tough stuff and can take it, the question in my mind is will it finish out the way I hope. Time will tell.

I've seen some pics of G10 on here that looked completely uniform in color. Hopefully one of the members with success working with the material will chime in.

Posted on another forum and it turns out I'm working with canvas micarta. That is why I'm having so much trouble getting the results I want.

Originally Posted by JP5

Posted on another forum and it turns out I'm working with canvas micarta. That is why I'm having so much trouble getting the results I want.

That's very funny.

Here's an example of how G10 looks after buffing on a polishing machine and a compound called Vonax - it's not the best photo but you can get an idea. You can get almost to the original finish but I would not like to attempt that without the polishing mop and compounds.

Originally Posted by UKRob

That's very funny.

Here's an example of how G10 looks after buffing on a polishing machine and a compound called Vonax - it's not the best photo but you can get an idea. You can get almost to the original finish but I would not like to attempt that without the polishing mop and compounds.

I think my sense of humor is a bit different than yours. jk

Thanks for posting the pics. Those look great. That is definitely the how I wanted the finished product to look. Yeah, I'm probably going to order some G10 from UsaKnifeMaker. I wanted to order some ivory colored G10 too, but I'm having trouble finding any in 6" x 1/8" pieces. I've read that the ivory micarta can be a pain as well.
I looked on Masecraft Supply, but they have a $50 minimum for orders.

[QUOTE=UKRob;1524194]That's very funny.

Here's an example of how G10 looks after buffing on a polishing machine and a compound called Vonax - it's not the best photo but you can get an idea. QUOTE]

Sweet looking blades, all three styles of smiles.

[QUOTE=MikeB52;1525231]

Originally Posted by UKRob

That's very funny.

Here's an example of how G10 looks after buffing on a polishing machine and a compound called Vonax - it's not the best photo but you can get an idea. QUOTE]

Sweet looking blades, all three styles of smiles.

Thanks Mike. They are a set of the three Saito blades that I was asked to make scales for. Since then I managed to get the two more extreme shapes for my own collection - they are very different when it comes to honing - and even stranger to shave with. You need to use a swooping action because there is so little blade touching the skin.

I have to say that I love having them in my collection but they are not the first razor I reach for.