Difference between g10 and micarta?

F

FenrirReturns

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Jul 10, 2006
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Hey guys, got a question for you. I've searched around and found a little bit of info on how each is made, nothing that really tells me the advantages/disadvantages of each, so whats the difference between G10 and Micarta? :confused:


Thanks!
 
Both are made by bonding layers of fabric in essentially the same stuff as Formica countertops. In micarta the fabric is linen or canvas; in G10, it's fiberglass cloth.
 
Thanks for the reply, I knew that they were similar and that regard and a bit about how their made, but how does that affect their performance, durability or strength for example?
 
Part of that answer would depend on who's G-10 you are talking about. Spyderco has their G-10 custom made with extra layers of fiberglass to increase strength and allow for inletting nested liners and such. Not every company is that conscientious.

The bonding agents and processes are also different between Micarta and G-10, which gives them different "feels" in hand. If I recall correctly, most G-10 falls between linen and canvas Micarta for breaking strength, but I could be wrong on that.
 
I've run into a few manufacturer's sites while searching for the answer and they seem to be more confusing, they keep referring to G10 as Micarta G10 :confused: . As far as the manufacturer, I'm curious in general as I've seen a few makers that give you choices, but more specifically I've been shopping for a Busse.


Thanks
 
Check out this thread is all G-10 of same quality? . Particularly knarfeng's response and the link he provides.

I just noticed that knarfeng's link in that thread is not working, I'm sure he"ll respond to this thread soon enough.
 
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Ach! I'm busted.
G10 and micarta are both composites. They consist of reinforcements encapsulated in resin. Both are very strong.

The term "Micarta" is a bit more generic than the term "G10". G10 is specifically layers of glass fabric embedded in epoxy resin. Micarta can be made of one of several materials embedded in any of several resins. Both are relatively impervious to water or chemicals.

Here is some information on the properties of G10 and why it is called G10:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4245397#post4245397
markksr quoted some other info as well.

G10, being layers of glass cloth, has its strength in the direction of the fibers because it is the fibers that provide the strength of G10. Since G10 is usually laid up as flat sheets, that means the greatest strength will be parallel to the flat. G10 was designed as material for circuit boards. The specification that defines it is pretty open as to physical properties that knife folks are interested in. G10, being made of epoxy will degrade on the surface if it were left in direct outside sunlight for a few weeks. (surface turns chalky. That would be the resin starting to break down from ultraviolet radiation exposure.)

The reinforcements in Micarta are cloth or paper (and their variants) instead of the glass fabric found in G10. Micarta can have more strength in the other directions aside from that of the fibers because of the nature and of the reinforcement fibers. Micarta may or may not be sensitive to UV depending on what resin was used. It's somewhat denser than G10. Micarta covers a lot of materials, so it's hard to give specific data.

For knife handles, either material is stronger than any force you are going to apply to the blade and the difference is more in texture and appearance than anything else.
 
Technically, G10 falls within the definition of Micarta although it is mostly separated out nowadays because glass is not an organic material like paper, linen or cloth/canvass which is what people generally think is in Micarta.
 
OK, so their both equally strong then. I wonder why I see G10 being more expensive? Can anyone elaborate on how they differ in grip and feel?
 
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