Are micarta scales kind of gross?

C

Calier

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I'm thinking of purchasing a Crucarta PM2, which would be my first micarta knife. Some of the videos/pics I've seen online feature "patina-ed"scales that have absorbed oil and dirt (?) from the user's hands. Anyone think this might be kind of gross? I know you can wash the scales, but seems kind of weird to carry something around that acts like a sponge...no? Nevertheless, I am intrigued and have read good things about the Crucarta PM2s. Tempted to purchase one. What has been your experience?
 
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Not at all. They are classic, feel wonderful and come in tons of colors and textures. Canvas soaks up oils and gets more and more special. My paper sets don't. They have a non porous, lacquer type finish. It can all be etched. Strong and versatile with limitless configurations. I'm a fan if you didn't notice.
 
If handle scales are considered gross, this might be the wrong hobby for some. I think more about all the gunk and grime caught up in the action of my folders than the handles. Some Dawn or an alcohol wipe down will clean it up enough to not be a Petri dish.

Micarta patinas well. It's fine as long as you don't try and eat off of it. It's one of my favorite hard use handle materials.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
If handle scales are considered gross, this might be the wrong hobby for some. I think more about all the gunk and grime caught up in the action of my folders than the handles. Some Dawn or an alcohol wipe down will clean it up enough to not be a Petri dish.

Micarta patinas well. It's fine as long as you don't try and eat off of it. It's one of my favorite hard use handle materials.
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I think I'm way too deep in this hobby for it to not be for me. :)
 
Calier said:
I'm thinking of purchasing a Crucarta PM2, which would be my first micarta knife. Some of the videos/pics I've seen online feature "patina-ed"scales that have absorbed oil and dirt (?) from the user's hands. Anyone think this might be kind of gross? I know you can wash the scales, but seems kind of weird to carry something around that acts like a sponge...no? Nevertheless, I am intrigued and have read good things about the Crucarta PM2s. Tempted to purchase one. What has been your experience?
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I will say that the first time I showed a micarta handled knife to my closest coworker (who has been known to buy the occasional decent knife ) his face did this amusing multi take that seemed to say :
Oh , what's this then
You brute ; why did you abuse a knife like that ! Do you store it in bleach water or what ? ? ?
Oh maybe that's the way it's supposed to look
Imagine someone wanting one like that

Then after he regained his composure :
Thats . . .
nice.
Anyone think this might be kind of gross?
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Personally every time I see someone post a photo with their knife laying open / handle across their food I have that reaction. Micarta or not.
Must be a carry over from covid .
What do I know ? I still scratch my nose with the ear piece on my glasses rather than my dirty hands.

Bottom line Micarta is too "slick" for me even though it looks like it is all grippy.
It is only grippy when your hands are damp or wet.
If you have sweaty hands I say go for it !
But don't lick the handle .
Unless you get something on it you like.

Reminds me of an old Dennis The Menace quote :
After watching a little(er) kid suck his thumb for a while he asks his mom : What's he got on his thumb that's so darned GOOD ?

EDIT : apparently my spell checker has never heard of the word : Menace
 
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Well since the base material is impregnated with phenolic resin at a high heat it is unlikely that there is any real saturation of anything else. All just surface grime. Even when I have dyed phenolic before it is just a little below the surface and takes a long time of boiling to get it there, it is not dyed completely through otherwise it would destroy the resin bond.
 
I use to like G10 because people said it was tougher and more hygienic.
Thing is, to me G10 feels plasticy and lifeless. Micarta barely absorbs much and when it does, it can be cleaned up.
Someone proved how little it absorbs on here I believe, by soaking it in gasoline and trying to light it.

Micarta is grippier, more comfy, more lifelike and more interesting imo.

Micarta>G10
 
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The Crucarta PM2 has scales that aren't like any other micarta I have. The texture is like cloth. Any of the others have a feel that's more like G10.

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scorpnsnake said:
Not at all. They are classic, feel wonderful and come in tons of colors and textures. Canvas soaks up oils and gets more and more special. My paper sets don't. They have a non porous, lacquer type finish. It can all be etched. Strong and versatile with limitless configurations. I'm a fan if you didn't notice.
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“Canvas soaks up oils and gets more and more special.”

Really seals in the flavor, mmm.

I’m more of a G10 and kraton man myself. “Added texture should your hands get… wet.” —The Sommelier
 
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