G10 Grips - How do they hold up?

K

KC8QVO

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Apr 7, 2011
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How well do the G10 grips hold up? I am specifically after the daily wear, and not "durability" (such as using the grips to pound tent stakes or anything).

My question stems from grips on my EDC blade that are Micarta - in comparison to the G10's the Micartas are quite slick. Do the G10's keep their grip in comparison? Right now the G10 grips feel rough and grippy. That knife isn't my EDC, but I like the way the grips feel so I may switch to that for EDC but if they wear down just like the Micarta is now then it wouldn't be worth it.
 
They will get slightly less grippy over time, but will still be more grippy than micarta. Just clean them with some dish soap and a tooth brush and you're good to go. G10 is a very durable material.
 
Does anyone have a picture of G10 grips after a year or more of every day carry? Maybe even a picture of them new to compare?
 
Only help I can offer is that I've seen pictures of well used g10 knives and the only thing I've seen bad is some chipped g10. May be some scrapes. Seems to hold up well.

Worst case, some light sanding may help. Probably something that'd help micarta.
 
My Paramilitary2 is my most used and carried knife and it' s been that way for almost 2 years now. The G10 held up really well. The texturing lost some of its grippiness but other than that it' s just perfect.
 
The main difference between G-10 and micarta is that G10 uses glass fibers while micarta uses linen, paper or cloth to bond with the resin.

I would imagine that they wear the same, and you wouldn't see any after just a year unless you make a point to abrade the material and leave it baking in the sun. They both will get scuffed from carry and use, but will outlast your lifetime.
 
My every day knife is slid in and out of a pocket and through the time I've had it the handle has almost been "polished". It is canvas Micarta. I have another knife with a linin Micarta grip that has seen very little use, its only been in my backpack once or twice, and compared to the G10 it is still not as grippy, but a ton more than my EDC. I will try to rough it up a bit with sand paper and see how that does. Worst case if I screw it up it will just get buffed back down in the next month or so of use.

I'm thinking of buying a custom ESEE 3, all the custom grips are G10 but they're shaped unlike my standard 3 series (blaze orange G10, which I like I just don't want blaze orange for EDC).

On a side note - does anyone know if the ESEE 3 and 4 custom grips are the same? Unless the pictures are not correct that I saw (the-knife-connection.com) it appears they are identical and also fully enclose the tang.
 
I sanded down my Izula II scales this evening. I will have to fix the links, these will take you to them but for some reason I can't get the pictures to insert here.

http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/...pening Misc/?action=view&current=IMG_9319.jpg

The darker one is before I sanded and the lighter one is after sanding.

http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/...pening Misc/?action=view&current=IMG_9321.jpg

The sanding did bring the roughness back, but it still isn't "grippy" like the G10 is. I used 120 grit sand paper first and thought it wasn't rough enough so I used some, what I think is, 80 grit though it was worn down, not a new sheet.
 
20+ years as a very successful handle material. It's very durable and wear resistant.
 
I carried this knife every day for a number of years and now it is about 10 years old. The G10 has held up well but it discolors slightly. The black G10 seems to oxidize and turn a lighter color. It still maintained a good texture.

DSC_6667b.jpg


DSC_6668b.jpg



I cleaned the G10 with a toothbrush and soap and it came out a little darker

IMG_2597b.jpg



I've read where people used a Mr. Clean magic eraser to clean G10 and it would restore the grippy texture.
 
Keep in mind that the grippier it was in the beginning, the more it will wear.

My 710 has zero discernable wear, but my CS G10 offerings have all worn down a bit
 
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