G10 vs. micarta

sykes3170

sykes3170

Joined
Feb 18, 2010
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From what I understand G10 is a real bear to work with. It seems to be harder than the back of your head. It also wreaks havoc on cutting tools. Micarta on the other hand is quit pleasant to work with. Overall, it seems to be about all you could want in a grip/handle. Question is, why do so many companies/manufacturers use G10. Whats the advantage, if any?
 
G-10 is much more rigid and is also impervious to many chemicals/substances that would be harmful to Micarta. Also, the layers which make up Micarta can seperate. Even after saying all this, I have to admit that I prefer the look and feel of most varieties of Micarta to G-10.
 
I don't thing there is any practical advantage of one over the other. They bot are similarly durable handle materials. Both are fiber reinforced thermosetting plastics. The only significant difference as far as knives are concerned is that G-10 seems to use synthetic fibers as reinforcement, while micarta usually uses natural fibers. Even then, there are plenty exceptions.

It seems one major difference isn't really in the materials, but in how they are showcased on the finished knives. Micarta is often contoured to show off the layers of fiber, similar to the way one might contour a wooden handle to show off the grain. G-10 seems more often used in slab form, contoured only on the edges just to round things off. The flat slabs are often molded with a fabric-like texture, which is nice and grippy. Again, there are exceptions.
 
sykes3170 said:
From what I understand G10 is a real bear to work with. It seems to be harder than the back of your head. It also wreaks havoc on cutting tools. Micarta on the other hand is quit pleasant to work with. Overall, it seems to be about all you could want in a grip/handle. Question is, why do so many companies/manufacturers use G10. Whats the advantage, if any?
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G10 uses fiberglass in the laminate (emphasis on GLASS). I'm betting that's why it's so hard on tools. The Micarta laminates generally use paper, canvas, or linen.

As previously mentioned, G10 has a reputation for being impervious to absorption of chemicals/solvents/other liquids. Not always the case with Micarta, which is sometimes known for soaking up liquids, at least in the exposed surface fibers of the laminate. This makes sense, when you consider that the glass in G10 won't absorb liquids, whereas the natural fibers in the micarta will.

I also like the finished appearance of Micarta, when polished. That being said, I think G10 has the edge on toughness and/or durability.
 
Micarta absorbs sweat and darkens. G-10 doesn't. I like the grain of micarta but G-10 is hard to beat in terms of durability.
 
that's assuming one could functionaly wear a micarta handle in a lifetime of normal use
 
Both came from the electrical/electronics trade. Micarta was/is used for heavy current/high voltage manual switch bases & insulators. In it's thinnest form, and laminated with paper, it was used for early circuit boards - and later, cheaper printed circuit boards - as 'Bakelite'. G10 is actually a thin fiberglass - intially used for military/industrial electronics - but now used for most printed circuit boards. It is harder on tooling - but dimensionally more stable, thermally more tolerant, and stronger. Most of the G10 CB material looks green, although the epoxy resin binder can be colored.

Dymondwood is a commercial 'marriage' of the two - paper is replaced with dyed beech/birch veneers - epoxy resin for a binder. The result is a dimensionally stable and sealed end product. It can be worked with wood-type tools - or sanded & polished to a high gloss - no finish or wax needed. Great handle material. And... I've never seen a circuit board made of it...

Stainz
 
I'll go for either one depending on the knife, and vastly prefer them both over Valox, Zytel, or any other "plastic-y" handles. I tend to favor G10 for folding knives and Micarta for fixed blades, but the difference is really negligible.
 
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Worked with both. Micarta was pretty good to work with. However G-10 was a b****.

It's fine as long as you attack the layers from the top. but if you try to dremel teh stuff from the side all it does is get smoking hot.

Also, layers coming apart on Micarta also happends on G-10. It's all dependant on the quality of the stuff.

I'd say that at high quality G-10 and micarta the only real difference is the looks and feel really. They're just about as good as each other.
 
Well I think there are many different variants of g10 just as there are variants of micarta. The g10 on the ZT 0350 is different then the G10 on the CS Lawman. I have seen g10 with coarse patterns that can destroy a pocket in a week or two. And then I have seen some smooth ones. Just like Micarta...canvas or linen, plain or waxed. I dont like the waxed micarta on Barks but I do love the canvas micarta on the RC5 and the RC4.
 
DallasSTB said:
I'll go for either one depending on the knife, and vastly prefer them both over Valox, Zytel, or any other "plastic-y" handles. I tend to favor G10 for folding knives and Micarta for fixed blades, but the difference is really negligible.
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couldnt agree more!
 
JAB said:
G-10 is much more rigid and is also impervious to many chemicals/substances that would be harmful to Micarta. Also, the layers which make up Micarta can seperate. Even after saying all this, I have to admit that I prefer the look and feel of most varieties of Micarta to G-10.
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I think I mostly prefer the look of micarta, but it really depends on the knife. I think micarta and CF are a great combo, but G10 on its own is probably the strongest. with that said, anything that would damage micarta would probably maim you, and damage the G10 also
 
Sitting here with my RTAK II and Benchmade 890 Torrent in front of me, the Torrent has the more attractive handle. Both are smoother than I prefer, but the G10 on the Benchmade feels better in the hand.
 
For a knife handle, either one is a good choice. I don't see how anyone could wear either out.

Between the two, I pick whichever material has the color/pattern I want.
 
I don't about other manufacturers , but after I disassembled my BM 710 few days ago , I wasn't impressed at all with those G10 scales

I could easily break those scales with absolute ease

This is irrelevant though , because the G10 scales are sitting on very strong steel liners , so there is no issue with this specific knife , but in general , I would NEVER buy any knife with G10 handle with no liners , like the Military
 
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