Westinghouse Micarta Block non-slotted Randall Knife Scales Handles (1" x 1.5)

Description

Please Note:
We purchased all the remaining inventory from a South Carolina supplier who just sold out to us. This material is limited, scarce and rarely offered. Order with confidence.
Thank you for looking!
Please email with any questions.
Remember, why pay more when you don't have to.
There may be others who purport to have similar material at higher pricing but in fact all they're doing is gouging you.
This is vintage (late 1980's or early 1990's) Westinghouse bleached linen micarta which was heat pressed into sheets.
This is the real deal.
The block you see is 1" x 1.5" x 5  5/8" long (almost 6 inches long).
This is ideal for Duck or Goose Calls and knife handles or scales as you see fit.
It cuts easily and polishes to a high shine.
This is a rare and high quality material that is very hard but easy to form and work with.
You will not be disappointed.
We're here to assist you with your Game calls or knife making hobby or profession.
We can custom cut to any desired thickness, width and length; inquires are welcome.
Your satisfaction is guaranteed
We offer a complete refund if you are not 100% satisfied.
Micarta And Its Many Myths
What is micarta? The actual word and definition has become diluted through the decades since its invention in and around 1911 by Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
Micarta was actually produced as an industrial laminate for electrical insulation.
Soon afterwards it was started to be used as a decorative laminate and thus Formica was born.
Both products were marketed under the trade name 'micarta'.
As such, it became used generically.
Micarta today has been used by any laminated composite material including glass epoxy otherwise known as G10.
Westinghouse produced what is called 'antique ivory', better known as a grade FR-2 laminate.
This was comprised of paper sheets which were soaked in epoxy resin and then baked and pressed into huge sheets.
The color was incidental as it was an industrial product.
Color was really never a goal of any industrial laminate.
In fact, the color from run to run varied greatly.
The purpose of the FT-2 was to be an electrical insulator with different characteristics than the much more common paper grades which were manufactured with phenolic resins.
As for the asbestos laminates we hear so much about, there were actually two grades.
We believe neither of these two grades have been produced in the
USA
since the mid 1960's or so.
They were indeed manufactured in
Europe
during the 1970's.
This material was for industrial use as an electrical insulator as well.
This material is extremely dangerous as it is asbestos based.
Fortunately, little remains today.
The Westinghouse micarta division was eventually sold to International Paper (IP) in 1995 and was run for several years.
They manufactured these micarta laminates for decorative purposes while based in
South Carolina
.
Eventually IP sold the facility and it was subsequently sold again.
It was eventually liquidated and sold off around 2004 or thereabouts.