Compare and Contrast G-10 and Micarta?

grease-man

grease-man

Joined
Apr 9, 2006
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Could someone please give me a rundown on the working characteristics between G-10 and Micarta?
What I'm looking for are things like how they cut on a bandsaw, how they grind, ease of finishing etc. Also I'd like to hear which one you prefer and why?
I've never worked G-10, and only recently completed one knife with micarta. I was pleased with the results. I have about 4 knives I need to complete with pink and orange G-10, and I am at a loss for working info for it. Thanks guys! -Matt-
 
There are lots of folks here with much more experience/better advice than me but I'll give my .02 cents.

I think they both work similarly. Sharp belts, lower speeds, don't overheat and they work fine for me. G10 seems a little harder but the biggest difference I've noticed is in the dust.

Micarta dust seems just really messy. G10 dust is glass. I would very highly ricommend the use of a respirator with either one but especially with the G10.

If you have used micarta you can work G10 fine. I use my metal cutting bandsaw to cut either one. Some people use diamond tile cutting saws for G10.

Hope this helps a little.
SDS
 
It's my understanding that both G10 and Micarta are thermoset composites.

Micarta consists of multiple layers of material - paper, cotton, or canvas - impregnated with phenolic resins
and laminated under heat and pressure to produce a thermoset composite.

G10, specifically, uses glass woven fabric impregnated with an epoxy resin binder
laminated under heat and pressure to produce a thermoset composite.
 
I agree with Al 100% .

I don't mind drilling & shaping G10 , but I dislike working with micarta. Sharp belts is the key , otherwise you just burn the micarta ( then it really stinks ). However I am a sucker for the way green micarta looks :)
 
I think G10 is slightly easier to work than micarta, but one thing you need to watch out for is chipping the material where the drill punches through when drilling pin holes. Take your time, clamp it down on a piece of hard wood to support the material when the drill exits.
 
Thank you very mych gents! This was exactly kind of information I was looking for! :thumbup:

If anyone else wants to chime in, I'm all ears! -Matt-
 
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