Black Canvas v Red Linen Micarta Inlays?

D

DC Kestrel

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Jun 3, 2017
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As I suspect many on these forums know, one online dealer has the Sebenzas in with "exclusive" red linen micarta inlays. I plan to pick up a small Sebenza with micarta inlays, but wanted to see if anyone has owned both (canvas, linen) and can compare them. I was going to go with the black micarta, because I felt that over time, they would look best (this will be a user), but I do like the appearance of the red linen micarta. If it's going to discolor over time, however, I'll pass. The main thing that seems to distinguish them is that the linen micarta should have a finer appearance because the cloth used is finer.

Many thanks in advance.
 
None of the micarta should materially change over time, it's like G-10 or other epoxy based synthetic materials. There might be some discoloring on ivory/linen lightly colored micarta but red/brown/black should stay the same forever.

As you mention the red linen is has a different texture than the canvas because of the base material being more fine. I prefer the canvas but that's just me. If you like the color go for it. It's a subtle red and could almost be mistaken for the natural canvas in the right light.
 
Josh K said:
None of the micarta should materially change over time, it's like G-10 or other epoxy based synthetic materials. There might be some discoloring on ivory/linen lightly colored micarta but red/brown/black should stay the same forever.

As you mention the red linen is has a different texture than the canvas because of the base material being more fine. I prefer the canvas but that's just me. If you like the color go for it. It's a subtle red and could almost be mistaken for the natural canvas in the right light.
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Many thanks for the feedback.
 
Whether or not it's on my knife or something that I have customized I always prefer canvas Micarta due to its softer look and texture.
 
I prefer the black over the red. Not a whole lot of difference in texture. And as posted above the natural canvas looks almost the same as the red after some use.
 
I've noticed that any of the micarta inlays will take on a darker color with use. You also have the option to wash it with a mild soap to clean it up. Can't say I've ever done that yet. I did read that the red will definitely get darker. I've got all three, never have used the red yet, so I can't say a whole lot on that one.
From the pic you can see the middle knife hasn't been handled much. The natural micarta has darkened up from when I first got it. It was more blonde, but it is aging rather nicely.

oRolBoK.jpg
 
As stated above, micarta will darken from oils and general usage. You can simply wash it with mild soap and return it to the original look.

Linen micarta has a finer texture than canvas if finished to a similar extent. Either could be polished to a smooth texture. The differences are largely aesthetic so I'd recommend picking up the one that appeals to you most.
 
Ajack60 said:
I've noticed that any of the micarta inlays will take on a darker color with use. You also have the option to wash it with a mild soap to clean it up. Can't say I've ever done that yet. I did read that the red will definitely get darker. I've got all three, never have used the red yet, so I can't say a whole lot on that one.
From the pic you can see the middle knife hasn't been handled much. The natural micarta has darkened up from when I first got it. It was more blonde, but it is aging rather nicely.
Click to expand...

Thanks for these pictures. If the top two are black, the 3rd (Dasmacus blade) is natural, and bottom is red, then I can see how they tend to look similar after some use. This is going to be for a small Sebenza, so I thought a material with a finer texture would be better, which is why I was leaning towards to the red. I wasn't a huge fan of the natural micarta, but if I have the colors right, looks pretty similar to the black after some use.
 
DC Kestrel said:
Thanks for these pictures. If the top two are black, the 3rd (Dasmacus blade) is natural, and bottom is red, then I can see how they tend to look similar after some use. This is going to be for a small Sebenza, so I thought a material with a finer texture would be better, which is why I was leaning towards to the red. I wasn't a huge fan of the natural micarta, but if I have the colors right, looks pretty similar to the black after some use.
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The top three are black canvas micarta, you can see how they darken with use. The bottom is a Inkosi with natural canvas micarta
 
Ajack60 said:
The top three are black canvas micarta, you can see how they darken with use. The bottom is a Inkosi with natural canvas micarta
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Thanks for the clarification. That pick is making me rethink not really liking the natural color...
 
DC Kestrel said:
Thanks for the clarification. That pick is making me rethink not really liking the natural color...
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Likely why they make several colors... I'm a big fan of natural as it has the look of a rich wood but the durability of resin infused canvas. When my 17 year old son first saw my natural micarta he commented on my "knife with wood accents". It is interesting that the most recent natural micarta's have a redish tone and the older ones were more tan/brown. I prefer the redish toned micarta.
 
My black micartas usually wear light and then take on an ashy-brown look from muck and dirt. The red appeals to me but I don’t own any. IMO micarta looks best on a worn CRK, but not a new spotless one.
 
I ended up ordering the red linen micarta Small Sebenza 21 Insingo, which arrived yesterday. Looks very similar to the natural micarta posted above, but definitely more red, which is what I wanted. (For some reason, I just like red and gray better than brown and gray.) The inlays hopefully will darken with use to more of a maroon color, which would be perfect. Compared to the unused black micarta posted above, the threads are much finer, so what you see is more the resin. In all, what I was looking for, although I did pay a premium considering I could have gotten the same knife in black micarta from an authorized dealer on eBay for 10% with the coupon it just announced. (I've learned, through hard experience, that it's cheaper to get what you really want.) As for the knife, centering is perfect, and lock-up is right at 50% with a smooth action. I'll post pictures when I get a chance.
 
Jaydud said:
I’m a little late to this thread but I’ve had a small red linen 21 for about a year that I didn’t carry too much. But I did carry it exclusively for about 2 weeks now and this is what it looks like.
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Thanks for the pic. Like others, this one will have to break into the rotation, but good to see how it should darken over time.
 
Jaydud said:
I’m a little late to this thread but I’ve had a small red linen 21 for about a year that I didn’t carry too much. But I did carry it exclusively for about 2 weeks now and this is what it looks like.

wQrUzlD.jpg
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My natural does not look a lot different than your red.

 
T Tseg I agree. When the micarta is cleaned off it looks very light. I compared it to a picture of one with natural micarta and had a hard time distinguishing the two.
 
I don't know, mine definitely looks redder than the natural micarta, but it's probably a combination of the resin color and the fact that the linen threads are not as prominent. But pictures can be deceiving, so impossible to know unless you have them side-by-side. I am happy with mine; I wanted redder.
 
DC Kestrel said:
I don't know, mine definitely looks redder than the natural micarta, but it's probably a combination of the resin color and the fact that the linen threads are not as prominent. But pictures can be deceiving, so impossible to know unless you have them side-by-side. I am happy with mine; I wanted redder.
Click to expand...

That’s very true. I sometimes see pictures of the two side by side and you can see the difference.
 
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