G-10 vs. Micarta for Handle Scales

J

jryan76

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Nov 20, 2005
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I'd like to get everyones input on what would make the better handle material. I'm mosltly interested in the rigidness, strength, and gripping ability of these two. I think this would be a comparison of g-10 vs. linen or canvas micarta in the gripping area. Obviously polished micarta would be slicker...I guess. Anyhow, I was hoping to get some input on this issue.

Many Thanks
 
Depends on what kind of knife...
If it's a pocket knife, then G-10 would provide extra grip.
If it's a chopper, micarta might be easier on your hands.

D
 
G-10 and Micarta are practically the same material. As I said in another post, the choice of handle materials is mostly personal preference. You will generally find the more decorative handles made in some form of Micarta. G-10, colored or not, is usually given a rough finish for better grip. Polished G-10 still looks pretty good, though. They're very similar materials, so it comes down to what you like in appearance and grip. I doubt that you will be disappointed in either material (unless you just don't like synthetics).
 
jryan76 said:
I'd like to get everyones input on what would make the better handle material. I'm mosltly interested in the rigidness, strength, and gripping ability of these two. I think this would be a comparison of g-10 vs. linen or canvas micarta in the gripping area. Obviously polished micarta would be slicker...I guess. Anyhow, I was hoping to get some input on this issue.

Many Thanks
Click to expand...

The fibers in micarta, (linen or canvas) are exposed on the surface when you shape the material. They absorb a small amount of moisture from your hand and swell up making the handle very grippy even when wet.

G10 uses glass fiber, It's non absorbent, it must be left rough or be textured to be grippy.
 
thanks for the replys. I forgot to mention and thanks for pointing it out...the knife is of the tactical folder variety. And I do like synthetic materials for handles so it may be a win-win situation.

Thanks, keep em coming
 
Ilovetoolsteel said:
The fibers in micarta, (linen or canvas) are exposed on the surface when you shape the material. They absorb a small amount of moisture from your hand and swell up making the handle very grippy even when wet.

G10 uses glass fiber, It's non absorbent, it must be left rough or be textured to be grippy.
Click to expand...

Ah...thats some of the good information I was looking for...Thanks
 
Think of it this way... in order of coarseness and toughness, there's paper micarta, linen micarta, canvas micarta, then G-10, which is essentially fiberglass micarta.
 
yes theyre all high pressure laminates, carbon fiber too

personally i like g10, its alot grippier than micarta will ever be, and it feels somewhat indestructable
 
I like Micarta better for a number of reasons. One being its not as hard on equipment when you work it and two its safer to work with. G10 dust is particularly problematic especially if you are asthma prone. Micarta is bad enough but not a real safety hazard like G10 is. Cutting G10 on your band saw is almost like cutting a sheet of glass depending on the thickness. Its harder on blades for sure and usually calls for a good bi metal one at the least if you plan on making a habit of using it.

Bead blasted canvas or linen Micarta is my favorite handle material for both grip and looks. My favorite colors are the turquoise and green canvas and next would be the natural or brown in both canvas and linen. The Antique linier paper in the mastadon ivory color is also quite nice to work with and I find it to be quite strong and durable also compared to the other paper Micartas.

Micarta is even more grippy when wet which is why a lot of people like it on their field and tactical knives. In my own tests on Micarta I've soaked it in acetone and gasoline for over 12 days and saw no visible effects to the material. Then I lit up the ones soaked in gasoline and the gas burned off and the material was unharmed proving it does't absorb much of anything even over time. Micarta is still the steel of plastics IMO but G10 is too to a large extent.

G10 is probably more popular now and some say stronger but I think it is very close there to be honest. I think G10 is availalble in more trendy bright colors also which accounts for some of its popularity over the more subdued color choices found in Micarta.

STR
 
What I don't understand is why companies never checkered Micarta that much like they do the G10 scales. Many guys like G10 over Micarta just because they have that grippy texture not knowing that this is added in. When you buy a sheet or block of G10 its smooth just like Micarta is. I would think Micarta would be just as nice for dry grip if it was checkered as the G10 is but you hardly ever see it that way. Spyderco makes both Micarta handled knives and G10 and yet their black Micarta knives are smooth as glass while the black G10 has that great texture on it like you see on the Manix and Para Military as well as others. I've often wondered about that regarding Micarta.

STR
 
STR said:
What I don't understand is why companies never checkered Micarta that much like they do the G10 scales. STR
Click to expand...

I agree and this is partly why I posted the question in the first place. The knife I am looking at can be made with a checkered Micarta scale much like G-10, so I am leaning toward the Micarta because I like the look and feel of it. For some reason it just dosnt seem like it will be as rigid a handle material as the G-10, but I could be strongly mistaken. All of the G-10 handle knives I have used seemed very sturdy, I have never had a handle scale of pure Micarta, I did have a Sebenza with Micarta inlays, but I dont think I could say how rigid the handle was due to the fact they were only inlays and it wasnt a handle scale made of Micarta alone. I guess my reasoning for this is the Micarta just seems like a softer material and I imagine it having some flex to it. Again, I could be very wrong on that.

Thanks
 
I've worked with both materials and have knives of just G10 by itself and just Micarta by itself. If I had to choose one for flex resistance I would go with G10 in thin like 1/8" or thinner thicknesses because I have made knives with Micarta in that thickness and it does seem to be easier to make bend although both bend. Make no mistake. In the thinner scales both will have some give to them but the G10 takes more to make it move. Once they are sufficiently thick the Micarta holds its own and the difference is not noticed. On my Dick Atkinson folder that is just green canvas Micarta by itself for the body you can't bend the scales in any way and its a tough handle.

As for scratch and ding or compressive strength, G10 probably has a slight edge over Micarta there but both can be dinged and scratched so its not like one is immune and one is not. In my experience its easier to cover or mask the dings in Micarta though vs G10 particularly when the G10 has a texture or grip to it.

STR
 
I actually like smooth G10, I have a knife with it and it's not any more slippery than paper micarta. It's definitely less grippy than some of my textured canvas micarta and texture G10 though.
 
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