Custom noob: educate me on G10 vs. Canvas/linen micarta

[Chadilac]

I have knives in G10, and I like them, but I do not have any with scales in canvas micarta or linen micarta. I was thinking of getting some custom BM 550 handle scales made by a guy who works with G10, wood, and linen/canvas micarta.

What can you guys tell me about how linen and canvas micarta compare to each other (texture, "grippy-ness," durability, etc) and how they each compare to G10?

I want the "grippiest/stickiest" scales I can get, but I want them to be durable and last a long time w/o chipping, warping, or whatever may happen to them. These faults may not even be an issue with micarta--I have no idea!

So how would you rate G10 vs. Canvas Micarta vs. Linen Micarta in terms of grip, durability, overall feel, and aesthetics?

Thanks.

 

[Phillip Patton]

Howdy,
G10 is, as I understand it, fiberglass cloth impregnated with resin, whereas the canvas and linen are, obviously, canvas and linen. Of the three, G10 is the toughest, then linen, then canvas. Even though the canvas is "weakest", it's stronger than most people will ever need.
As far as grippiness, I think the canvas is at the top, because of it's coarser texture. Even better if you get it bead blasted. I haven't had much experience with linen, and none with G10. I just bought my first piece of G10 off of ebay. It was advertised as micarta, but when I tried to cut it with my bandsaw, it rounded the teeth off. That's how I found out it's G10.
As far as aesthetics go, it's different for everyone. I prefer the canvas myself, with my favorite colors being black, maroon, and turquoise.
You didn't ask about paper micarta, but I'll mention it anyway. It's weaker than canvas, though still good enough for just about anything. It's a little more difficult to work with, also.

Hope this helps,

Phillip

 

[bluejaunte]

IMHO the G10-handled knives that I have are by far the grippiest, but they tend to have some fine texturing machined into them--texturing at tiny dimensions that I haven't seen done on any Micarta handles. That doesn't mean it can't be done with Micarta, just that I haven't seen it in my limited experience.

 

[rbmcmjr]

Phillip,

I think you are mistaken with respect to the canvas/linen thing. From what I have read, increasing strength of micarta goes from paper to linen to canvas:

There are three types of micarta and several grades of these three types. They all consist of layers of either paper, linen, or canvas. Paper is the most decorative of the three. I have seen paper micarta handles that are 20-30 years old that continue to look great and perform like the day the were made. Linen micarta is the middle grade when it comes to toughness and durability. I used linen exclusively throughout the 80's and very early 90's. It is very attractive when smoothed out and very strong. Canvas is the toughest of the three grades. It surpasses linen micarta by a large margin for strength and durability. Canvas also offers the best overall texture for slip resistance.

Rick

 

[Phillip Patton]

Phillip,

I think you are mistaken with respect to the canvas/linen thing. From what I have read, increasing strength of micarta goes from paper to linen to canvas:



Rick

I had the data sheets for both types at one time, and they showed the linen as stronger. That's what I'm going by. I don't have any anecdotal evidence for either of them being stronger. In use, I really don't think you'd see a difference.

 

[Keith Montgomery]

Linen Micarta is actually not made with linen. It is made with a fine weave cotton.

Micarta seems to get a little tacky when it gets wet. This is a good thing. I have never found this to be the case with G-10. G-10 is stronger than Micarta, but I have never had a Micarta handle break, so I don't think I would appreciate the difference. To me, Micarta looks better than G-10 and is my favorite synthetic material used for knife handles.

Canvas Micarta has better mechanical strength, and linen Micarta is easier to machine. Either one makes a great handle.

I personally prefer the grainier look of canvas Micarta.

 

[KellyGlanzer]

Ahh the Canvas Micarta tree is deciduous and has very tight grain but not as tight as the Micarta Burl commonly known as "Linen".
G10 is actually the root of a bush not a tree. A common misconception.

 

[NDallyn]

Ahh the Canvas Micarta tree is deciduous and has very tight grain but not as tight as the Micarta Burl commonly known as "Linen".
G10 is actually the root of a bush not a tree. A common misconception.

ROTFLMAO


I personally find that G10 is a bit cleaner to work with (this could be due to my own methods of working it though). I also find that it takes a polish easier on the buffer and that the compound or rouge doesn't impregnate the material as easily as on micarta. I do find that micarta is both faster and easier to work than G10 and a slight bit "grippier" especially when it isn't polished. It's also less expensive (at least from my supplier) in the common varieties. Some of the old, rarer micarta can get pretty pricey though. Right now I'm expirementing with black paper micarta as a synthetic substitute for ebony (which I have had some troubles with).