micarta, carbon fiber, g10 wear?

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saylorbrand

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Jun 8, 2008
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How will folders hold up when the handles are these materials without liners? I am interested in the lion steel TM1, but I'm worried it can't hold up. ours a large hard use folder, but not sure about it. Any experience or knowledge on this?
 
Most makers will use Carbon Fiber on a liner-less, and many use G10 also. Carbon Fiber and G10 will be the strongest, but it will also chip the easiest if dropped on concrete(or similar). You don't see quite as many in Micarta, but Micarta is my favorite. I have a Moki liner-less with Micarta scales, and I don't think I could damage the scales unless I was really trying to.

I love the TM1 design, and have thought about getting one myself since I love Micarta and a linerless design.
The Carbon Fiber version seems a bit overpriced(IMO), but the Micarta version has a very fair price(IMO).

I don't think you would ever have a problem with the Micarta or CF version.
 
G10 is probably the most hard-use material. Strong, grippy wet or dry, and impervious to chemicals.

Micarta is pretty tough too being an epoxy-saturated fabric. But, it can stain if the fabric used is something like natural canvas. Of course, such a fabric could also be dyed to cover it up.
 
You do have to clean Micarta now and them unless you don't mind it getting darker. It's mainly hand oils that darken micarta. Very simple to keep clean though. Any dish soap with a degreaser works fine. I use a gun degreaser and q-tips to clean mine. Rubbing alcohol will also work well.
Nothing feels as good in hand as Micarta(to me), and it still has a pretty good grip when wet or bloody.
 
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