G-10 v. micarta

Knave

Knave

Joined
Dec 29, 1999
Messages
796
Greetings, everyone. It's time once again to reveal the depths of my ignorance. Could someone please briefly explain the differences and advantages/disadvantages of G-10 and micarta? Thanks in advance.
 
G-10 is usually more slip resistent and more scratch resistent and is considered to be somewhat stronger.

Micarta is classier,IMHO, and any scratches it gets can be buffed out.

I like both as handle materials. Both are stable and strong and scratch resistant.

Others can do a better job describing material makeup.

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Roger Blake
 
G-10 is actually a type of micarta. G-10's layers are made of glass. Different types of micarta include paper, linen, and canvas. G-10 has a higher tensil strength then the other micarta's. They are all so strong though that it is almost a moot point when used for knife handles. Linen micarta does seem to have a warmer feel to it then the G-10. One nice thing about G-10 being woven glass based is that it can give it an almost transluscent effect, espescially on the colored G-10's. You usually see G-10 pretty square on knife handles, but it can be contoured, and look even nicer if it is.

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Lynn Griffith-Knifemaker

BG-42 is now an option

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My vote has to go to G10 because of its slip resistant availability because I cut myself, I like Micarta kinda but I have always been favorable to G10.

ITS JUST AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
 
I've always heard that G-10 is stronger than micarta, which I believe. I wonder though, just how much stronger is it? Does anyone have some examples or specific data?

I also wonder if carbon fiber is stronger than G-10 and, if so, how much stronger. And since I'm already headed off topic: How much stronger is micarta when compared to Zytel?
 
As to G-10 being more slip-resistant, I have heard different.

Kit Carson reported that when testing the U2 dive knife that he made knives with both G-10 and canvas micarta and he felt along with the divers, that canvas micarta offered a better grip, especially when wet.

Also, I like the look of canvas micarta better, a grain that shows really well.

And since strength wise it is moot, given the forces a human hand can exert.

And micarta does not wick like some have claimed.

I have black canvas micarta handled TOPS Talonite Shadow Hunter and am expecting a od green canvas micarta MEUK, I am a happy man.

In addition, G-10 given it's fiberglass base is -slightly- less natural, so canvas micarta will feel warmer.

One thing to remember is that production knives with G-10 are textured by a machine, that topography is pretty good, but put a bead blasted handle of G-10 against a beadblasted handle of canvas micarta and I think that most will agree the canvas micarta is nicer.

One thing that may contribute to the canvas micarta is the ends of the canvas threads being exposed and providing a sort of cats tongue feel, that is a hypothesis by the way, no empirical data, just a good bit of handling.

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Bead Blasted Micarta is the best average working knive material I have found. When bead blasted, it provides a secure material to grip that isn't overly agressive on your hand. It also has a "wicking" action to pull moisture away to maintain the secure grip.

Whether G-10 is stronger or not really isn't an issue for me since I haven't broken a grip made from either. Micarta does seem warmer to me (visually) but, that's a personal preferance based on nothing scientific or measurable.

Carbon Fiber just doesn't do much for me since it is generally very slick (notice a trend here
smile.gif
) Carbon Fiber usually is very high on the eye appeal, has very lightweight and, is very strong if sheer strength for strength's sake matters to you. I will note that the new Columbia River "Carson" M-16's have a nice textured finish on their new Carbon Fiber knives.

Stay Sharp,
Sid
 
Originally posted by Lynn Grififth Knives:
Different types of micarta include paper, linen, and canvas. G-10 has a higher tensil strength then the other micarta's. They are all so strong though that it is almost a moot point when used for knife handles.
Click to expand...

Linen Micarta is really cotton, usually, isn't it?

Aside from strength, does it have any significance G-10 is made of epoxy instead of phenolic (like temperature resistance or somesuch)?

Originally posted by cerulean:
I've always heard that G-10 is stronger than micarta, which I believe. I wonder though, just how much stronger is it?
I also wonder if carbon fiber is stronger than G-10 and, if so, how much stronger.
Click to expand...

Since Micarta isn't a single material, it differs, but you can expect G-10 to be twice or more stronger. Carbon fibre is not dramatically stronger than G-10 (which is a single material with defined properties), measured by weight, perhaps 25% or so.


To me, it seems that Micarta would be safer if it breaks than G-10 or carbon fibre, what happens if one of the latter against expectation would break?

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Urban Fredriksson
www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
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- How to make knives, Richard W. Barney and Robert W. Loveless
 
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