Difference..Micarta/G10

striker071 said:
Can someone explain to me the diffference betwwen the two and what the advantages are of both
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in short:

Canvas Micarta vs G10:

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Fabric-y vs Plastic-y

Grippy-er vs Hard-er-er

6 vs half-dozen

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I give a slight nod to Canvas for grip and a slight nod to G10 for durable.

But it's a subtle difference in either case, IMO.

(I've intentionally avoided the inclusion of Linen Micarta and Paper Micarta as the two above are most common)
 
durability is about the same.

colors in g10 will be more distinct.

grippiness will depend on the type of micarta, paper micarta and g10 feel about the same.
 
To add to the above, the basics:

Micarta is a phenolic (think epoxy) based product. Add various materials ie, canvass, burlap, linen, blue jean, paper, etc etc. The color is usually based upon the fabric, usually, not always.

G10 is also a phenolic with fiberglass as the fabric base, the color is based on the epoxy base.

Information is provided by a severely brain challenged leatherbender, please correct any mis statements. :)
 
I used to be a big proponent of canvas over g10, but that was before having used it on an edc knife. I have two knives that I've recently edc'd for more than a few months on end:

P1020523.jpg

-(top is a modded mini sus scrofa in pumpkin g10)
-customized sar5 that I made new slabs for out of black canvas micarta
-choiless boss jack le with tequila sunrise g10

There are a few things I'd point out from a users perspective when comparing the two of them.
- weight is negligible on smaller knives. You probably won't notice it until you get into fusion mag's or the swords.
- Grip is actually not as much of a 'grippy not grippy' issue as it's often said to be. Canvas is grippy because the fabric frays slightly at the surface which provides a texture. G10 doesn't fray but it does take up a grit pattern: you can sand it with 100 grit sand paper and it will feel like a 400 grit surface to the hand. I was afraid my boss jack was going to be too slick since it has the big spaces of non-machined g10, but that simply isn't the case. Having hit it with 100 grit sand paper, it feels like a rough ceramic surface - quite grippy.
- Canvas takes up water and oil. The custom sar5 above goes from that color to near black just from handling it a few times because of the oil from your hand. You can actually see how much darker the tops of the pattern are vs. the valleys - thats oil thats soaked up into the canvas. To me, that's kind of disturbing. I don't like the idea of whatever's on my hands at the time (garlic, metal powder, chicken fat) getting into my handle and staying there. G10 does not take up water/oil. That g10 color is just as I got it having carried and used it for a few months.
-G10 will get SHARP. If you leave the machined lines as they are they will bite into your hand. I've hit all of my g10 handles with a few swipes of sand paper just to knock off the sharp edges.


Having experienced both I'm pretty much all for g10. If I could rehandle all of my knives in it cheaply I would.
 
I want to thank all the folks that have chimmed in especially last visible canary for his insight and review of both handle systems. It will make me realize that i need to get what i want or have the handles changed at a premium

FFBM in G10 may be the way to go... Black coated black G10....
 
I had the opposite experience of LVC.

I used to be all G10 all the time.

Then I got a Canvas user (a G10 user was my first).

And now, after tons of use on a variety of knives... I'm all Canvas all the time.

And I'm in the process of having all of them changed to matching Black Canvas...

go figure.

;)
 
G10 feels too much like plastic for me in general. I prefer canvas and linen micarta in general... infact the absorption of canvas micarta is something I like. After I get some hand oils worked into canvas it feels great.

But I don't dislike G10, and it's certainly not a deal-breaker for me if I can't get micarta.
 
Most of my original Busse experience was with micarta since it's cheaper. I've since purchased a couple G10 handled knives and I have to say I really prefer it. Just feels a little better in the hand.
 
leatherman said:
To add to the above, the basics:

Micarta is a phenolic (NOT epoxy) based product. Add various materials ie, canvass, burlap, linen, blue jean, paper, etc etc. The color is usually based upon the fabric, usually, not always.

G10 is EPOXY with fiberglass as the fabric base, the color is based on the epoxy base.

Information is provided by a severely brain challenged leatherbender, please correct any mis statements. :)
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Done.
 
May have a black micarta handled Busse OTW.... just gotta get my funds together..... furnace needed attention... so I may have to find a G10 of my liking and then I can decide for myself ... :D
 
striker071 said:
May have a black micarta handled Busse OTW.... just gotta get my funds together..... furnace needed attention... so I may have to find a G10 of my liking and then I can decide for myself ... :D
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Atta boy, I prefer the feel and look of micarta, good choice.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
durability is about the same.

colors in g10 will be more distinct.

grippiness will depend on the type of micarta, paper micarta and g10 feel about the same.
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I would have to disagree with a few things here. Paper micarta is not nearly as durable as g-10 nor even canvas or linen micarta. Paper micarta also does not feel like g-10 at all to me. It is much softer and absorbs liquids much more than g-10. G-10 feels like straight plastic to me where as paper micarta is much softer and more "organic" feeling. That's just my $.02. :)
 
I own two blades with micarta handles. It feels great in the hand and you can easily wash off any stains or oils with soap and water.
 
oeser said:
I would have to disagree with a few things here. Paper micarta is not nearly as durable as g-10 nor even canvas or linen micarta. Paper micarta also does not feel like g-10 at all to me. It is much softer and absorbs liquids much more than g-10. G-10 feels like straight plastic to me where as paper micarta is much softer and more "organic" feeling. That's just my $.02. :)
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its possible both our experiences are only in our heads.

ive never had any micarta (canvas, linen, or paper) that felt soft, or even relatively soft compared to something else.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
its possible both our experiences are only in our heads.

ive never had any micarta (canvas, linen, or paper) that felt soft, or even relatively soft compared to something else.
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That must be the case, because handshaped tigerhide linen has a very soft texture in my hands and black paper feels so buttery smooth to me. I have also dropped black paper handles on concrete and seen the dents that were left and have never experienced that with g-10. Even though it is less durable I much prefer the micartas over g-10 on my fixed blade knives.
 
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