Micarta as handlematerial.

N

NirreBosse

Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
1,131
I have a question for those who have seen and tried.
I,m waiting for one of my dreams come true, (Sort of). Its a Knutbuster and the thing I know from the real beginning is that it should be a micarta shadow.
I have seen lot of micarta qualitys on this forum but never seen any in real life. Im attrakted by the struktur in green or natural canvas micarta but can also be attrakted by more smoth materials as paper or linnen micarta, Who also can be jigged as I understand it.
I understand that all micartas make strong handlematerials for a EDC knife but my question is about the abilyity to take wear and tear on the surface in a pleasant way. My intention is to use my new knife extensivly as an EDC in town and nature, and I want a surface on my micarta that shows this in a pleasing way.
Tell me about your experiences.

Bosse
 
I think I have had six or seven knives, mostly fixed blades, with micarta handles both of canvas and linen.

If you need the handles to be grippy for wet jobs then micarta that is not buffed is very grippy but sort of gets "water stains" and they wear like old jeans.

On the other hand, I find buffed canvas micarta to be very attractive and it is tough stuff but not as grippy as the less finished stuff. I had a somewhat polished natural canvas micarta handle that got oil on it which made it darker for a while so it isn't an impervious material.

I am not sure I would use paper micarta for a hard use knife though. Probably for a gent's knife.
 
I would select canvas then as you may lightly sand this material from time to time and bring it back to life. The paper scratches quite easily. The linen would be my second choice for EDC.
 
Canvas has more of a three-dimensional look to it. More interesting for me in a knife handle material. It is a bit translucent and you can look into the material and see canvas under the surface. Green and butterscotch (yellow-tan) are my favorite colors.

The neat thing about micarta is that you can change it to suit your needs. Buff it smooth to increase translucency and overall look, or sand it rough to increase grip. Even when buffed, it grips, even when wet. It is so hard it will take a lot of sanding without wearing out.

I generally don't like man-made materials but I love micarta. It wears in a very similar way to natural materials.
 
Here's a black linen micarta Tony Bose trapper. It usually rides in my pocket with my keys. The stuff wears like iron and isn't slick when using it.
 
I would also talk to the maker about jigging the micarta...a couple examples

DSC00011.jpg


EricksonSwayback-1.jpg
 
As mentioned above, Micarta isn't impervious and will absorb liquids it comes into contact with (water, oil, etc.). G10 is another option to consider, which comes in quite a few color selections and is more resistant to liquids
 
I,m so impressed what happens when asking a question here, I have seen it many times but it still makes me truly pleased. This is a bunch of friendly people indeed.

Thank you for telling me about your experienses.
This absorbing of liquids that is talked about is it like wood or bone or does it absorb as the clouth its made of?
As I will use it on smallgame and fish so do you think blood will absorb and misscoulour it?

Some of you talks good about the canvas micarta and another shows some beautiful jigging. This aint getting easyer.

Bosse
 
cnas122 said:
As mentioned above, Micarta isn't impervious and will absorb liquids it comes into contact with (water, oil, etc.). G10 is another option to consider, which comes in quite a few color selections and is more resistant to liquids
Click to expand...

It is actually very impervious and that absorption is normally only on the top layer.
 
DSC00011.jpg


By the way, That was one impressing knife. That is a modell I sometimes play with the thought about. I will keep this new knife a oneblader as that is what I realy consider the best alternative for me.
Since last year I also love the medium stockman pattern but in a custom I then would want bone and bolsters and that would most probably make it so expensive I couldnt dare use it in the mountains or woods for its real intentions.

Im about to bye a knife for my needs in life.

About the advise on the micarta please keep some more thoughts and experienses comeif its anything to add.

Thank you

Bosse
 
I've been edc'ing a friction folder made from Micarta. very strong handle material and light. I don't have many knives with micarta handles, but those that I have, are good, very good. I like micarta more than many other handle material.
 
cnas122 said:
I would also talk to the maker about jigging the micarta...a couple examples

DSC00011.jpg


EricksonSwayback-1.jpg
Click to expand...

OK, I'll ask since I'm stumped. What is the white handled tool used for?
First thing that comes to mind is a pipe bowl cleaner, but that's strickly a guess.
BTW, nice looking knives.
 
Mick57 said:
OK, I'll ask since I'm stumped. What is the white handled tool used for?
First thing that comes to mind is a pipe bowl cleaner, but that's strickly a guess.
BTW, nice looking knives.
Click to expand...

Since I'm not english, I don't know the exact name for the tool, but I believe it's used to help get the blade out in knives with really strong backsprings. (nailpuller maybe...?)

On Mike's site they are called "knife picks".
 
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Knife picks are for knives with really strong backsprings, for people with arthritis in their hands, or in more recent days, for people with worn out fingernails attending back-to-back days at the Blade Show and trying out too many knives. :D
 
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