Chopper handle suggestions?

[jawilder]

I need advice on choosing handle material.

THE KNIFE:
My brother has a United Cutlery Hibben Pro Hunter and loves the design, but not the cheap steel and Chineese quality. My solution was to make him one bigger and better.

This is the Hibben

I ground one from 5/32" ATS-34 that has a 6" recurved full convex blade. He loves the deep finger choils on it, so I couldn't talk him out of it.... I don't like them, but he does and it's his knife.

My question is about the handle. The tight radius on the choils make unstabilized wood out of the question. I'm thinking G10 or Micarta. What are the pros and cons to either one? I would think G10 doesn't have enough grip for a chopper like Micarta would... but would linen micarta get dirty?

I'll post pics of the blade when it comes back from HT this week
Thanks,
Jason

 

[JatMat]

Use some G-11 (ghost or margarita green) that I USE to sell, it was grippier when wet and nearly indestructible. Will not stain or discolor. Tracy still has some of mine on his site. Ask Matt Bailey, Allen Newberry or Tad Lynch about how tough it is.
Jim
Realize that I am prejudiced though.

 

[jawilder]

Use some G-11 (ghost or margarita green) that I USE to sell, it was grippier when wet and nearly indestructible. Will not stain or discolor. Tracy still has some of mine on his site. Ask Matt Bailey, Allen Newberry or Tad Lynch about how tough it is.
Jim
Realize that I am prejudiced though.

I actually have some of it that I got from a maker who went out of business. I hadn't really thought of it, but I might give it a shot.

 

[Sean Cochran]

Use some G-11 (ghost or margarita green) that I USE to sell, it was grippier when wet and nearly indestructible. Will not stain or discolor. Tracy still has some of mine on his site. Ask Matt Bailey, Allen Newberry or Tad Lynch about how tough it is.
Jim
Realize that I am prejudiced though.

+1
It is almost undestructable. And the grip is very good.

Thanks again Jim.

 

[james terrio]

I've found G-10 to be "grippier" than canvas micarta. Both work very well, though. Mostly the choice comes down to what color you want and how fine you sand it.

 

[JatMat]

I know you are making a larger knife, but if you ever make some kitchen knives, it will withstand the heat in the dishwasher. I have two knives that I had made for my wife with the G-11 and they get washed most every day. No change in color or movement. That material was made for high heat applications. Really hard to cut, BUT easy to grind. Good Luck
Jim

 

[jawilder]

I know you are making a larger knife, but if you ever make some kitchen knives, it will withstand the heat in the dishwasher. I have two knives that I had made for my wife with the G-11 and they get washed most every day. No change in color or movement. That material was made for high heat applications. Really hard to cut, BUT easy to grind. Good Luck
Jim

I have tried to cut the above mentioned g10 with a bandsaw and it took forever. I was hoping it was easier to grind

 

[jonnymac44]

I hear some people complain about cutting G-10 on a bandsaw, but I wonder if it's the setup that's the problem. I've been doing it on the metal cutting band saw this past week at 80 FPM blade speed with a 10/14 TPI bi metal blade and it's the easiest time I've ever had cutting G-10. It goes through it like butter.