Buffed on/off a few layers on some linen micarta handles earlier today. Brought out the color real nice, holding the handle will leave your hands with the fresh and minty odor of paint thinner! Anyone else do the same? Think wax along the blade profile helps improve material splitting?

I like that it brings out the color of the micarta, but I don't know about the fresh and minty odor of paint thinner! I think wax may cause more friction when cutting light things like paper, but I don't think it makes much of a difference in chopping.

i put a light coat of mineral oil my AD every once in awhile

I use mineral oil on handles, 3-1 oil on blades.

I first apply RenWax to the blade, then wipe the handles down with the cloth. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I only have two blades so far with micarta, my HCLE and my Crash Axe. I use a little mineral oil on them to keep them clean and prevent rust. I don't think I'd put wax on them, as I'd fear it might make the handle too slippery when doing fine work, like when I was skinning a couple jackrabbits with the HCLE.

I use a Marine Tuff Cloth on the blade to keep rust at bay and leave the handles naked. I have tried using mineral oil on the handles and loved the look but hated how they felt. I like the "grippy" feel of micarta, do you lose that feel with the Ren-wax?

Hey VoxHog, did you wait a few days before handling the knive again after applying the mineral oil to the handle? Mine felt pretty good still, really no change, but man they looked totally different.

If buffed off well, very little diff in tactile grip. BTW, the solvent evaporated within a few hours, leaving no noticeable odor after a while. Also, Ren Wax did not appear to waterproof the micarta. Drops of water continued to penetrate and darken the surface upon contact. Good stuff, I like it, though it is a bear to buff off if applied too thick and allowed to dry.

Yep, the micarta felt too slick to me even after a few days. I like my micarta dry and grippy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'll test it again someday. The nice thing about the mineral oil treatment is that soap and water will strip it off.

I like my handles with bite as well, though I will be Ren Waxing the handles on NMFBM #45 tonight. My tiger hide looks ashy gray, gotta bring out some bling.