EXPERT OPINIONS NEEDED.......handles: carbon fiber vs micarta vs G10

A

anonymous

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Aug 23, 2003
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what do you prefer & why? is there any durability/wear resistance/grippability advantage to any of them?

holler.. thanks
 
Maybe not an "expert" opinion, but mine none the less...

I prefer Micarta handles. If properly textured, they are very grippy. Get them wet, and they grip even better.

I rate G10 and carbon fiber as the same gripabilitiness.

As far as wear factor, I do not know. I have never worn out a knife handle, no matter what material it was made from.

(Yeah, it's a real word.) ;)
 
Canvas Micarta. My Camillus CUDA CQB-1 and Gerber Yari has that for the handle material, and I find it to be excellent, as it's "grippy" without being abrasive...It also "feels" good in the hand...(Not too hot or too cold).
 
My preference is for Canvas or Cinen Micarta, because I think it has the best combination of looks, durability and grip. I like the way Carbon Fiber looks and it is durable, but I find it is normally too slippery. G-10 is very durable and when textured has great grip, but it just doesn't look as good as Micarta to me.

My order of preference is: Canvas Micarta, Linen Micarta, G-10 then Carbon Fiber.
 
I am not expert but canvas micarta is tough to beat on a user. It is not my favorite for looks, but it should outlast the person who buys it.:D
 
Ditto what Keith said. G-10 technically is stronger, and I think there are some chemicals that can affect Micarta which do not affect g-10. For most of us mortals, any of the materials you listed will outlast us. And I too prefer micarta over CF and G-10. It has a grain effect that you don't get with g-10, unless it is multi-colored g-10.
Blasted micarta is indeed very grippy, but nto abrasibe like other surfaxe texturings. Also, I fond blasted micarta to be very grippy when wet. Canvas micarta is the grippiest version, though I think Linen looks better. Oh, and you never see rag g-10 do ya! Rag Micarta is stuff of the Gods. Green micarta too! drool.....
 
I like all of them but I too have a preference for micarta. G-10 can be grippy as in Spyderco knives like Police or Standard or smooth like in Kershaw Random Task (I thought it was micarta). Carbon Fiber has greater stiffness so can be thinner for same application assuming manufacturer needs that attribute such as when it serves without liners, like in recent Spyderco Delica CF, actually that knife has one metal liner but for the pocket clip attachment and not for stiffness. :cool:
 
thanks for the responses.....

can anyone link me to pictures of the various micartas such as linen & canvas micarta??

much appreciated.
 
I have compared the durability (by way of striking with a hammer) of G-10 and Zytel. I took a SERE 2000 with a broken tip and an old SOG Magnadot and hammered both handles to see which one would break first. The SERE 2000 handles were much thinner and they broke (cracked) in 8 hard strokes. The Magnadots handles are twice as thick as the SERE 2000. I could not break the handles even after 20 strikes with the hammer. Not a very scientific method, but never the less, a real world method. Personally, I like G-10 and Titanium.
 
I like G-10 because I prefer a more abrasive texture.
 
You've already gotten some good repies on the materials themselves, so I'd like to chime in with some other thoughts. I won't make a blanket statement or single out any given design, but I have noticed trends about how the makers *use* these synthetic materials. Generally speaking, I've noticed that many knives with G-10 and especially carbon fiber, have handles that are very flat, often with sharp corners. Even my Benchmade Ares handles are somewhat contoured and comfortable for light cutting, but if I whittle wood or do some heavy cutting, the edges of the handle really eat into my hands, even when I had tough farmer's hands. (one of these days when i get around to it, I'm gonna round them off, and regrind that blade.) With micarta, though, more often the makers will shape the handle with comfortable contours and palm swells. Maybe it's because they want to expose that pretty "grain", or because the available stock sizes are thicker?

I've also noticed that many makers who choose to work with these materials often let the tang exposed beyond the scales all around. And, often rather than fitting a proper guard, you will see knives where the blade/tang extends to form a rudimentary guard. (not saying all makers do this of course, just that it's rare to see a knife constucted in this manner sporting an ivory or stag handle) I hate this idea. I used to think it was fine as long as the edges of the steel were chamfered a little, until I used such a knife for an adrenalized thrust, and the "guard" ripped the skin right off my fingers. I still have the scars to prove it.

So, just don't get so concerned about carbon fiber vs. micarta or whatever that you forget to see if the handle is shaped in a comfortable design.
 
i'm not a big fan of micarta, but that's probably because of my bias seeing them not serving very well as parts on guitars..

i really like the feel of g10, though i haven't messed with canvas micarta. most of my EDC options have FRN handles.
 
What part of a guitar is made out of micarta??? I've been playing for years and don't remember ever seeing micarta on a guitar. Are you talking about the nut?
 
I have micarta handles on few blades, it's very dense, though stuff. Micarta absorbs water, that's why it's more grippier when wet, g10 doesn't. Out of all the handle material, I've found kraton to be very good, won't last as long as micarta but it's grippy and comfy.
 
G-10 is tougher than Micarta, wont soak up any fluids, and with the right treatment can have a much grippier texture than micarta by far..
Hope this helps ya..
 
You won't find a more ugly material than G-10, IMHO, but the stuff is functionally sensational. If I needed a knife handle that was as indestructible as possible, I’d choose G-10. Paper and linen Micarta looks much better and works as good under most circumstances. I personally found my canvas Micarta Busse handle to be a little too rough for my tastes.
 
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