Cord wrap v. micarta scales on your Izula

NixKustoms

NixKustoms

Sheath and Knife Maker
Joined
Dec 30, 2010
Messages
5,883
Hey guys I was wondering what your thoughts are on your favorite handle type on your Izula. I did some heavy carving recently with my ESKabar and it was wrapped with 550 cord, and it wasn't very comfortable for heavy use. My Izula is also wrapped and I'm finding I get the same issue with that wrap.

So what do you use, and why? If you have your's wrapped in 550 cord and like it like that for heavy use, and carving, post a pic of the wrap and please explain why. Also if you could say if you've ever had scales on your Izzy or not.

I'm trying to get as much feed back as possible before I pull the trigger on some micarta.


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I personally love the feel of the micarta handles way better than paracord.
You will probably find that everyone has their own personal preference on this tho.
You can pick up the handles for about $20. I'd say give it a try. Cant really go wrong.
 
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I've not used the micarta, but I really like the wrap on mine. I don't use it for very long periods of time, other then when I used it to clean a deer, which I found it adequate, although I needed to replace the paracord after using it. Although I would not hesitate to get the scales if I were expecting to use the Izula for longer periods of time.
 
TheGame said:
I've not used the micarta, but I really like the wrap on mine. I don't use it for very long periods of time, other then when I used it to clean a deer, which I found it adequate, although I needed to replace the paracord after using it. Although I would not hesitate to get the scales if I were expecting to use the Izula for longer periods of time.
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That was one of my main concerns. i would think blood, dirt, grime, etc would be harder to clean off/out of the paracord. With the scales you could just pop them off and rinse them clean.
 
Harker said:
I personally love the feel of the micarta handles way better than paracord.
You will probably find that everyone has their own personal preference on this tho.
You can pick up the handles for about $20. I'd say give it a try. Cant really go wrong.l]
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I know, but $20 is still $20. When 550 cord is $6 for 150'. So if there is an awesome wrap that I just don't know about yet or if I'd just be better off getting the micarta I'd like to know.
 
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i have the micarta on mine and really like the feel.

you also have a lower chance of cutting yourself putting the scales on vs the cord wrap :D
 
You could try a Strider wrap, the wrap is a little thicker, Google it. Or just make your own scales. If its the size of the handle that is uncomfortable, maybe try an izula II.
 
Scales changed the feel of the Izula for me . . . .for the better! I carve and whittle with my Izzy all the time. The scales are well worth it.
 
Inkedshooter said:
You could try a Strider wrap, the wrap is a little thicker, Google it. Or just make your own scales. If its the size of the handle that is uncomfortable, maybe try an izula II.
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It's not the handle size. I like the size. I just want to to fill my hand a little better than it does, and still be comfortable to work with.
 
I've made some micarta scales for mine and recently wrapped it and I prefer the wrap. I think it give you just enough to grip on to while keeping it light enough and slim enough. I carry just in my pocket though. If you do belt carry, the scales I made are much more comfortable, and it wouldn't be as big of an issue. I usually just wear basketball short and with the extra handle weight, it'd fall out once in a while.

I'm not suggesting I make you scales, they really aren't anything special, but those are the only scales I have experience with.
 
JoeyB posted a great, thick wrap here (hope that worked). I've put it on my EDC Izzy and love it - very comfortable, plenty of meat to wrap the hand around, and "cushion-y" to boot.

I've also got some micarta scales that I dyed black for an orange Izzy - sure is a purdy thing! - and, frankly, I find that thick wrap of JoeyB's more comfortable, even for my small hands.
 
I Sam said:
JoeyB posted a great, thick wrap here (hope that worked). I've put it on my EDC Izzy and love it - very comfortable, plenty of meat to wrap the hand around, and "cushion-y" to boot.

I've also got some micarta scales that I dyed black for an orange Izzy - sure is a purdy thing! - and, frankly, I find that thick wrap of JoeyB's more comfortable, even for my small hands.
Click to expand...

I actually have that one on my Izzy right now.

Is there anything about that wrap that stands out making it more comfortable for you compared to the scales?
 
I also wrapped my izula at first and... I didn't really like the idea of dirt and liquids and stuff getting into it so I was pretty careful not to get it really dirty... (probably too careful and it's probably not a big deal, but... that was just my thinking ;)).
I did like the thinness and the feel of a wrap (except the knot) - that it was thinner in the center of the handle but I bought the scales eventually. Now i sometimes miss that it's not THAT thin anymore but i enjoy not worrying about anything :)
Plus knife and scales are about as thick as the sheath.
 
I love the micarta scales. I never liked the cord wrap and preferred to use it without it before they sold the micarta scales. I use my Izula more than ever now in part to the grip from the micarta scales.
 
I really, really liked the looked of my Izula cord wrapped. The problem I ran into was that I use the knife hard and I was always changing to cord. I know it isn't hard to do, but it is when there is blood, fat, and guts all over your wrap and you don't have any extra cord to change it. We were in the bush for 2 weeks. I was lucky enough to get my deer right off the bat, which was cleaned with the Izula. Yeah, that cord was beyond nasty.

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I think it was a bit drippier with cord wrap. Depending on the wrap, you can make the handle feel pretty thick, and then the texture didn't let it go anywhere.

I like the scales because they're a bit more comfortable, and they're easy to take off and clean. I actually have both the scales and paracord wrapped on mine to cover the hole in the butt.
 
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