Bakelite and Catalin

Bakelite and Catalin are both made Phenol Formaldehyde resin, just like the paper/linen/canvas Micartas that we all know and love.  

The difference is that Bakelite has a wood flour filler for strength, instead of fabric like Micarta...  While Catalin contains no filler at all.  The vast majority of Bakelite is brown or black, while Catalin comes in many vibrant colors.  Most of the material known as Bakelite by makers these days is actually Catalin (which tends to be more valuable).

Both Bakelite and Catalin will take on a patina as time goes by, just like Micarta.  Because Bakelite and Catalin have little to no fillers, they take an absolutely INCREDIBLE polish!