Canvas micarta or stabilized wood questions

[NJBillK]

I am curious as to which material would be more water resistant and better for usage where water would be encountered; fishing, hiking along a river/waterfalls, more impervious to sweat, things of that nature.

Aside from that, would it be safe to assume that due to the wide spread in fibers due to the micarta being canvas, it could stain more easily than a stabilized wood?

Do different stabilized woods handle moisture better than others due to having a tighter grain structure, is ironwood any different than a regular stabilized wood, is it any better?

Thanks in advance,
Bill K.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Micarta and G-10 are waterproof. Stabilized woods will absorb some water, but it won't soak into the wood fibers. On hard and wet use, Micarta and G-10 are the champs.
I like canvas Micarta for fillet knives.

 

[KYenglish]

Interesting question, I know some woods offer more moisture resistance then others, don't know that stabilization would change that.

Stacy E. Apelt has already said the rest better then I could.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

Micarta and g10 will both dye well. With g10 you have to be aggressive. I use powder (although liquid does work) Rit dye with boiling water and some vinegar. Some substrates don't require a full boil and long soak, which you should avoid anyway if possible unless you are sure the material can withstand the process without deforming (or other unwanted results).

My stabilized wood experience has been that they are fine with regard to hygroscopy, but I'm still careful when using a kitchen knife with stabilized wood. Micarta/g10 I don't worry for a second that it'll be just fine.

 

[NJBillK]

Great, thanks for the info guys!

 

[rustyrazor]

Micarta and G-10 are waterproof. Stabilized woods will absorb some water, but it won't soak into the wood fibers. On hard and wet use, Micarta and G-10 are the champs.
I like canvas Micarta for fillet knives.

+1 on the canvas Micarta for around the water. expecially if left rougher (or sand blasted) the canvas fibers make the handle very grippy when wet.

 

[Fiddleback]

I am curious as to which material would be more water resistant and better for usage where water would be encountered; fishing, hiking along a river/waterfalls, more impervious to sweat, things of that nature.

Aside from that, would it be safe to assume that due to the wide spread in fibers due to the micarta being canvas, it could stain more easily than a stabilized wood?

Do different stabilized woods handle moisture better than others due to having a tighter grain structure, is ironwood any different than a regular stabilized wood, is it any better?

Thanks in advance,
Bill K.

Stabilized wood will move warp and crack just like regular wood. Less so than unstabilized wood, but it still happens. In addition it is heavy, and slippery as ice when it is wet.