Almar Shrike question.....G10 or Micarta?

basko152

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Continuing to learn as I go.....

I really like the looks of the Shrike. I've not handled one and I've read some mixed reviews about Almar here.

My question is really.....Which would be a better selection? G10 or Micarta? I have a g10 scaled knife and I like it. How does the Micarta measure up. Is there any real difference in performance or durability or is it just a matter of preference?

Thanks all...
 
I have a Shrike in micarta and a Benchmade 905 in G-10. I prefer the micarta. It feels smoother and more organic. The G-10 feels more light and plastic-like. I believe people have mentioned here that G-10 is stronger and more impervious to liquids . . but I've never had a problem with it. Micarta usually stays grippy when wet.

I also built a set of steak knives with black linen micarta and a carving set with green canvas micarta with a high polish. I love the stuff. I think it's my favorite handle material.

IMG_0770.jpg
 
Hey thanks for the pic. How do you like the Shrike overall. Does it still lock tight? etc.

Thanks
 
Brew - nice collection there. What's that CF-handled beauty to the right of the shrike? By chance do you have any shots of it open?
 
I have a micarta Shrike and I prefer it to G-10 which I have on several other folders. Naturally the textured G-10 is going to be grippier especially when wet but that is not really an issue for me. I just like Micarta better overall. The Shrike is one sleek, strong and lightweight knife.
 
I have lots of micarta handles, and only a couple of G10 handles. I prefer the way that micarta (all three varieties) feels, and the way it’s weight often contributes to good balance on knives.

G10 is tougher, but I’m yet to see any advantage in that additional toughness.

I’ve always been impressed with Al Mars fit and finish, and am very happy with my SERE 2K and SERE Operator.
 
TorzJohnson said:
I have a micarta Shrike and I prefer it to G-10 which I have on several other folders. Naturally the textured G-10 is going to be grippier especially when wet but that is not really an issue for me. I just like Micarta better overall. The Shrike is one sleek, strong and lightweight knife.

The part about grippier when wet might not be as true as you think. The exposed ends of the fibers in micarta, especially linen and canvas micarta actually swell a bit when wet making the handle grippier than when dry. As far as toughness goes, Micarta is pretty near indestructable.
 
Murky Depth said:
Brew - nice collection there. What's that CF-handled beauty to the right of the shrike? By chance do you have any shots of it open?

Its one of the knifekits.com DDR2s i believe. If i remember right he sanded them smooth and had a few other upgrades. Brew correct me if Im wrong.
 
jmxcpter said:
The part about grippier when wet might not be as true as you think. The exposed ends of the fibers in micarta, especially linen and canvas micarta actually swell a bit when wet making the handle grippier than when dry.
I guess I'll have to take your word for it that glass-smooth micarta with swollen wet tiny fibers is grippier than pocket-ripping sandpaper-like textured G-10. :)
 
I would prefer the G10 since there's no choil or guard, the extra grip would make me feel a little better.
 
You're probably right, teh textured G10 might be grippier, but the smooth Micarta is grippier than it appears once wetted.
 
The difference between Micarta n g10 is when u accidently drop ur folder!!! G10 will have a bit of impact dicoloration which will dissapear with a bit of oil rub, but micarta MAY split between the layers or even have chunks break off if dropped on tarmac. G10 from BM710, Micarata from Spydie Calypso Serrated. Wanna know how I know? :(
 
Murky Depth said:
Brew - nice collection there. What's that CF-handled beauty to the right of the shrike? By chance do you have any shots of it open?


AcesAndEights called it pretty close - it's a DDR3 from knife kits. I actually bought it from texasknife.com. I'll try to take some pics of it open (although my wife makes fun of me every time she catches me taking pictures of my toys).

The silver one on the upper right is a Nemesis Imp. That one is pretty cool, too.

basko152 said:
Hey thanks for the pic. How do you like the Shrike overall. Does it still lock tight? etc.

The shrike is a great knife. It's pretty big - the blade is 4" and the handle is thicker than you would think. It's a little thick for office carry - I usually only carry it on the weekends. Once you get used to the "persian" look of the design, you'll realize that it fits your hand pretty well. I emailed Kirk Rexroat, the designer, and he said the shrike is his EDC.

The lockup is flawless and the blade opens with a snap with a very light flick of the thumb tip. After about 200 openings the action was extremely smooth.
 
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