Has anyone tried the G-10 scales sold by The Knife Connection on their ESEE knives?

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Jan 24, 2010
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Hey everyone,
I have quite a few ESEE knives. One of my biggest gripes with them are the Micarta scales and trying to keep them clean.
I have seen the G-10 scales sold by The Knife Connection and have wondered if they are worth the money?
Has anyone here tried them? If so, how is the fit, the ergos?
 
G-10 gets dirty too ;)

I have never owned a knife with G-10. I was hoping that would solve the issue. Well NUTS! :(
I guess I could go solid black. At least they would not look quite as bad. I have very oily skin and I literally leave finger marks on my Micarta scales the minute I pick them up. Just bugs me.....
 
Hey everyone,
I have quite a few ESEE knives. One of my biggest gripes with them are the Micarta scales and trying to keep them clean.
I have seen the G-10 scales sold by The Knife Connection and have wondered if they are worth the money?
Has anyone here tried them? If so, how is the fit, the ergos?

I bought a set of the Blue/Black G10 for my sons Esee 4. The fit and finish is great and the ergos are fine. They are a little different shape than the original micarta andare contoured vs the flat originals.
The ergos comes down to personal preference, hand size, etc.
There is no question on the quality. They are well made and well finished.
I bought the set that covers the butt end of the knife. They increase the handle size a little which was ultimately more comfortable and enclosed the pommel. That made carrying the knife on the hip more comfortable since the pommel was not riding against the body.
I would recommend them.
 
I bought a set of the Blue/Black G10 for my sons Esee 4. The fit and finish is great and the ergos are fine. They are a little different shape than the original micarta andare contoured vs the flat originals.
The ergos comes down to personal preference, hand size, etc.
There is no question on the quality. They are well made and well finished.
I bought the set that covers the butt end of the knife. They increase the handle size a little which was ultimately more comfortable and enclosed the pommel. That made carrying the knife on the hip more comfortable since the pommel was not riding against the body.
I would recommend them.

One of the knives I want to get them for is an ESEE 4 because they do add a bit of length to the handle. I also like Palm swells on my working knives so the contour will most likely be quite welcome.
Thanks for the reply!
 
I've got an Esee 6 with TKC G10 scales - definite improvement over the micarta slabs.
 
I dont have any current pics but here is one I took a while back of my ESEE 3 with scales from TKC. I prefer them over the stock scales. They are more ergonomic and with the 3 it extends the grip slightly. I have used my 3 a few times cleaning fish and the G10 while not the most textured I had no issues with them.

 
I love mine... they aren't as porous as the micarta scales so they don't get as dirty... it gives the Izula some nice grip and a custom look without adding much to the weight or width.

This is my Damascus Izula with Midnight Tiger TKC scales... I was between this and the Blue/Black handle but settled on this.

image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 
I have never owned a knife with G-10. I was hoping that would solve the issue. Well NUTS! :(
I guess I could go solid black. At least they would not look quite as bad. I have very oily skin and I literally leave finger marks on my Micarta scales the minute I pick them up. Just bugs me.....

I hear that! with the TKC ones I only have the g10 for the izula now, but works great. Easy enough to clean when covered in blood, fat, guts, etc.
 
I have micarta scales in camo canvas from LMF. I find them to be a game changer for my Esee 6. They make long duration use dramatically more comfortable with no hot spots. In addition they really add to the looks of this knife! As far as keeping them clean, when mine get greasy/dirty I scrub them with liquid dish detergent and a toothbrush. Makes them look new again!
esee2a_zpsaf7c136d.jpg
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I have the G10 for my Izzy 2. I'm not a fan. It adds weight and the contours aren't right for my use. It's too narrow near the blade.

Have you tried oiling your micarta? I noticed that they tend to collect less grime when saturated with mineral oil. I tend to oil my micarta like I would a wood handled knife only it doesn't need the treatment as often as wood.
 
I dont have any current pics but here is one I took a while back of my ESEE 3 with scales from TKC. I prefer them over the stock scales. They are more ergonomic and with the 3 it extends the grip slightly. I have used my 3 a few times cleaning fish and the G10 while not the most textured I had no issues with them.

What are the top two knives in your pic?
 
I have never owned a knife with G-10. I was hoping that would solve the issue. Well NUTS! :(
I guess I could go solid black. At least they would not look quite as bad. I have very oily skin and I literally leave finger marks on my Micarta scales the minute I pick them up. Just bugs me.....

G10 is nowhere near as porous as most micarta. The TKC handles would be a huge improvement for you.

G10 is made from fiberglass and epoxy, while canvas micarta is made from layers of canvas and epoxy. The exposed canvas fibers soak up oil and attract dirt and whatever. Exposed fiberglass (or whatever) in G10 cannot soak up oil or water, so it stays cleaner and is easy to clean and keep clean. Additionally, ESEE leaves their handles rough so there are more fibers exposed. Chris Reeve fixed blades, at least the Pacific and Green Beret, are bead blasted so they're the same way.

I have oily skin as well and dislike most rough micarta. There are makers who polish micarta which makes it much easier to keep clean but it also isn't as grippy. If the knife was designed properly in the first place, the contour of the handle alone will keep the knife in your hand and it doesn't need a special fuzzy handle texture to stay put.

If you have the money for an ESEE plus the cost of the upgraded handles, consider upgrading to a Bark River, they have a huge variety of models to choose from. Try their canvas or linen micarta, it's polished smooth and works great. Otherwise they have a bazillion different handle materials to choose from, all different kinds of G10 and micarta that do not react to environmental changes. There are several online sellers offering Bravo 1s for right around $150, it would be a great one to try out in smooth canvas micarta. Also look at LT Wright and Battlehorse Knives, they make great polished micarta handled knives.
 
I have the G10 for my Izzy 2. I'm not a fan. It adds weight and the contours aren't right for my use. It's too narrow near the blade.

Have you tried oiling your micarta? I noticed that they tend to collect less grime when saturated with mineral oil. I tend to oil my micarta like I would a wood handled knife only it doesn't need the treatment as often as wood.

I have never tried oiling the micarta. I might try that.
 
I have had the scales for the 5/6. They were of great quality. They made the handles just a bit bigger than I liked.

As for dirty Micarta, yes G-10 will get dirty as well. When my Micarta handles get dirty I just remove them and scrub them down with soap and water. They look like new again. Further, you can dye them. I have done this for my 5 and Junglas. Dark Green. It should hide the dirt and skin oil a bit better. Dye them black and it should hide stuff quite well.

It is hard to tell in this picture but the 5 and Junglas are much darker:

20150220_132304.jpg
 
G10 is nowhere near as porous as most micarta. The TKC handles would be a huge improvement for you.

G10 is made from fiberglass and epoxy, while canvas micarta is made from layers of canvas and epoxy. The exposed canvas fibers soak up oil and attract dirt and whatever. Exposed fiberglass (or whatever) in G10 cannot soak up oil or water, so it stays cleaner and is easy to clean and keep clean. Additionally, ESEE leaves their handles rough so there are more fibers exposed. Chris Reeve fixed blades, at least the Pacific and Green Beret, are bead blasted so they're the same way.

I have oily skin as well and dislike most rough micarta. There are makers who polish micarta which makes it much easier to keep clean but it also isn't as grippy. If the knife was designed properly in the first place, the contour of the handle alone will keep the knife in your hand and it doesn't need a special fuzzy handle texture to stay put.

If you have the money for an ESEE plus the cost of the upgraded handles, consider upgrading to a Bark River, they have a huge variety of models to choose from. Try their canvas or linen micarta, it's polished smooth and works great. Otherwise they have a bazillion different handle materials to choose from, all different kinds of G10 and micarta that do not react to environmental changes. There are several online sellers offering Bravo 1s for right around $150, it would be a great one to try out in smooth canvas micarta. Also look at LT Wright and Battlehorse Knives, they make great polished micarta handled knives.

I used to own a Bark River Liten Bror. Did not like it very much mainly due to the size being a bit small. I have since got a custom Bushlore style Scandi I use for most woods work. It has contoured Birdseye Maple scales on it and it is awesome! I like my ESEE's except the scales. That is why I am looking to replace them.
 
I have had the scales for the 5/6. They were of great quality. They made the handles just a bit bigger than I liked.

As for dirty Micarta, yes G-10 will get dirty as well. When my Micarta handles get dirty I just remove them and scrub them down with soap and water. They look like new again. Further, you can dye them. I have done this for my 5 and Junglas. Dark Green. It should hide the dirt and skin oil a bit better. Dye them black and it should hide stuff quite well.

It is hard to tell in this picture but the 5 and Junglas are much darker:

20150220_132304.jpg

I do take mine off and clean them with Dawn each time I use them hard. It is just a pain in the rear.
 
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