Handle material: G10, linen micarta, ironwood?

F

fishface

Joined
Oct 16, 1998
Messages
202
I bought a Genesis II, and I want to replace the plastic handle-scales with some other material, because the plastic they use is abominable to me - feels cheap, cheap, cheap and tacky. yuck! I was thinking green linen micarta but have heard that micarta is hard to work with, esp. compared to G-10. Any micarta-workers out there with words of advice on suppliers, and how to deal with this material? & is it stroger than G-10?
Alternately, what about ironwood or another hardwood, coated with epoxy? Would that be strong enough, esp. considering the Genesis II uses only one liner? I'm a complete novice here, any advice appreciated. Thanks - FF.



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The beatings will continue until morale improves.
 
Micarta is not at all difficult to work with. Jantz Supply and K&G Supply sell it as do virtually all knife suppliers. It's tough too, but I don't know of any comparison tests between it and G-10. I've never worked with G-10 myself.
If you're going to use the knife hard, and cary it everyday, I would reccomend micarta or G-10 over the ironwood. Not that desert ironwood isn't a very strong material, but why use something that expensive when it will surely get damaged.Tom Mayo would be the one to tell you about using desert ironwood, more than me though. Take care! Michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"
 
fishface,
Micarta is much easier to work than G-10.
You can cut micarta with a woodworkers bansaw, but not G-10 (metal cutting). Ironwood is great but it will probably cause you to not carry the knife too often because you will not want to damage it (because it looks so good).

 
Go with Micarta. It's not hard to work. If you don't have grinding equipment, you can work it down easily with a rasp.
Steve
 
Yes, try the Micarta. I re-scaled a Victorinox (not quite done yet) and the stuff is very easy to work with and polish.

Jon
 
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