Quoted:
I was under the impression that real Bakelite had asbestos in it so they stopped making it?
The formula for Bakelite does not include asbestos nor do most products made from it.
Fillers and colorants are added for strength, appearance or additional heat resistance.
Micarta was originally manufactured with a phenolic resin of Dr. Leo Baekeland's invention and paper, linen or fiberglass as the filler.
The Russians used an asbestos filled Bakelite for the nose cones of their ICBM warheads and as an ablative heat shield on their spacecraft.
Asbestos, along with other mineral powders was used as a filler depending on the desired properties.
I do not know if asbestos is present in AK furniture but It may be.
Bakelite is inherently non flammable without it.
Billiard balls, dominos, chess pieces and dice are all still commonly made from the Bakelite.
Along with pan handles, electrical insulators and all sorts of other things.
Raw Bakelite is often described as looking like amber.
If it's cast (Catalin) it can be clear or translucently colored as it usually contains no filler.