Micarta & G-10- collector (& maker) desirability question(s)....

J. Doyle

J. Doyle

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Feb 17, 2008
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*I hope this doesn't get moved to 'Shop Talk' as I specifically posted it here in hopes of getting input from collectors!*

A recent post brought this to my mind, and rather than derail that thread, I thought I'd start a new one.

I saw several people in that thread mention they'd prefer the knife to have micarta scales, specifically.

It got me wondering, did you guys mean micarta OR g-10? I know some use the two interchangeably as they're so similar.

Or did you mean specifically micarta, distinctly in preference over g-10?


I'm pretty sure, g-10 is stronger and more dimensionally stable than micarta, *** though I'd like to note right now that I am probably REALLY splitting hairs here***.

Yes, on a few rare occasions, I have personally seen micarta move a tiny little bit.

I know for a fact that g-10 is stronger than paper micarta and linen micarta, especially in thin sections. I'm not absolutely sure about canvas micarta but If I were a betting man, I think g-10 would edge out canvas micarta in strength too, though the difference would certainly be negligible.

I think both materials are pretty much bulletproof and rock solid choices for worry free handles. Personally I prefer g-10 all the way around. It works and machines and finishes easier, I think it looks nicer, and again, in thin sections at least, it's stronger. And the color seems deeper and more consistent, piece to piece and batch to batch.

So what about you guys? I'd like to hear from collectors and makers alike. Do you prefer one over the other? Do you use the terms interchangeably?

Micarta gets mentioned a lot more for scales than g-10. Do you guys that mean 'micarta' specifically have an aversion to g-10?
 
I prefer the look of Micarta over G-10, but also really like G-10. I personally do not interchange the terms. To me G-10 is G-10, and true Micarta is only made by Westinghouse and production was discontinued in 1995. Today's "Micarta" looks very similar, but since Micarta is brand name used by Westinghouse, today's products are technically called phenolic materials.
 
Thanks for the input so far guys.

M.FREEZE said:
Today's "Micarta" looks very similar, but since Micarta is brand name used by Westinghouse, today's products are technically called phenolic materials.
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Mr. Freeze brings up a good point that I should clarify. While the above quote is true, most (not all) end users are probably unaware, and don't mind other 'brands' even if they were aware. So for the sake of this discussion, 'micarta' would include all of the modern stuff, or all phenolics.

Thanks for bringing that up.
 
I like and use both materials, and love G10 for its strength, but for some odd reason I've always preferred the feel of micarta. If you were to ask me to tell you why or how I honestly wouldn't be able to do so, but it somehow feels just a bit warmer and more comfortable in my hand.

By the way, I should mention that I recently made my first knife with a G10 guard, largely inspired by your work, John. Thanks for that :) And I will also add that I chose G10 over micarta for the guard due to its strength.

But now a question for you: have you observed any notable difference in brittleness between the two? My own casual observations suggest micarta is a bit tougher in this regard, but this is based on only a limited number of observations and there were probably other variables in play as well. Curious what your (and others') experience has been...
 
I much prefer micarta over G10. I like the grain it tends to have in looks, but more importantly it always feels better in hand, provided the maker doesn't polish it too much. G10 even without a heavy polish always feels plasticy to me. Also G10 tends to be heavier than micarta, and generally I prefer tapered tangs and distal taper and such to reduce weight so I don't like to resort to a heavier handle material in the end anyway.

More than micarta though, I now prefer tero-tuf...but this is all for use. If it's a collector piece I still prefer micarta because of the grain it can look to have, but g10 does have bolder colors.
 
For a lot of uses that we see in the knife biz, the superiority of the resins and laminate materials used in G10 compared to Micarta is not really going to be an issue. If you were building a boat, then yes, but not for most knife handles. i think the difference boils down to the type of knife and customer preference/taste. Guys who buy tactical folders will oft times have a different opinion on what looks good than guys who buy a knife like the ones that Nick Wheeler made for Joe Paranee.
 
Wulf said:
By the way, I should mention that I recently made my first knife with a G10 guard, largely inspired by your work, John. Thanks for that :) And I will also add that I chose G10 over micarta for the guard due to its strength.
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Hey, no problem. :) Wouldn't mind seeing the knife you used it on sometime.

Wulf said:
But now a question for you: have you observed any notable difference in brittleness between the two? My own casual observations suggest micarta is a bit tougher in this regard, but this is based on only a limited number of observations and there were probably other variables in play as well. Curious what your (and others') experience has been...
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I've definitely noticed a difference, at least as far as paper and linen micarta. Micarta is more brittle than g-10. The first time I ever used black synthetic for a guard, I used paper micarta due to it's pure black color. It was a hunter with a pouch sheath that I made for a show. One day before the show, I was checking all the sheath fits and I put that knife down in the sheath and snapped the tip off the guard. Oops! :)

That's when I did a bunch of testing and came to the conclusion that g-10 was the clear winner going forward. I had to get g-10 a LOT thinner, like 1/16" or under before it would snap like paper and linen micarta in thicker pieces. I think the knife I mentioned above would have been okay with a canvas micarta guard but personally, I don't think canvas micarta looks very good in that application.
 
Camber said:
I much prefer micarta over G10. I like the grain it tends to have in looks, but more importantly it always feels better in hand, provided the maker doesn't polish it too much. G10 even without a heavy polish always feels plasticy to me. Also G10 tends to be heavier than micarta, and generally I prefer tapered tangs and distal taper and such to reduce weight so I don't like to resort to a heavier handle material in the end anyway.

More than micarta though, I now prefer tero-tuf...but this is all for use. If it's a collector piece I still prefer micarta because of the grain it can look to have, but g10 does have bolder colors.
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Feel is one thing I didn't think much of, but I know what you mean. Micarta, as long as it's not too slick, does feel pretty good in hand. It's been awhile since I've used it.
 
jdm61 said:
For a lot of uses that we see in the knife biz, the superiority of the resins and laminate materials used in G10 compared to Micarta is not really going to be an issue. If you were building a boat, then yes, but not for most knife handles. i think the difference boils down to the type of knife and customer preference/taste. Guys who buy tactical folders will oft times have a different opinion on what looks good than guys who buy a knife like the ones that Nick Wheeler made for Joe Paranee.
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I totally agree and that's the message I was hoping to convey in my original post.....really splitting hairs for knives.

The only exception would be using it for thin guards, like mentioned above.
 
Very interesting subject, I like finishing and working g10 much better than micarta. The only micarta I like to use would be canvas type, either Dark Green or natrual Brown.

Over all micarta looks more "Classic" to me

DR...
 
i collect and make, i do not have any preference over either. i suppose someone could take two 1/16" pieces and bend them to see which one snaps first, to see which one is less brittle, but in a knife application it wont ever bend that far so it wouldent mean much. maybe one might chip easier than the other. is g10 perfectly stable ? meaning it wont shrink or move ?
 
I think micarta looks much better on a custom knife, especiallly maroon micarta.
 
Woodster- In my experiences, I've never had g-10 move....not even a little. Nor have I ever heard of it moving. But to be clear, I wouldn't say micarta is 'prone' to moving.

Maroon linen micarta is pretty classy looking stuff.
 
good info, thanks. i like the maroon too. i just finished a loveless styled utility in maroon. i thought it would clash with the red liners, but it goes well together. i do favor linen over canvas, just for the look of it. who were the first makers to use g10 ? i am not certain how long it has been around.
 
I'm guessing that G-10 is probably less healthy to work with, since it's constituted of glass cloth, as opposed to linen, canvas or whatever.
Personally, I find that G-10 is a little less interesting since it's so ubiquitous and generic looking, whereas micarta, (what we consider to be micarta, at any rate) is a little more dynamic and variable in its construction.
But, I don't see it as a preference thing, personally. Both have their uses. To my way of thinking, it's up to the cutler to make the best choice wrt what they are aiming to achieve with their knife, and if they're thoughtful in their choice then either is good.
 
Lorien, health might be a toss up. The fibers in g-10 are probably worse but the fumes from grinding and sanding micarta are (or are very akin to) formaldehyde.
 
Jason Knight made this G-10 for Joe's Brut de Forge Combat Fighters look nice.

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Doug
 
I do like G10, but I prefer micarta for the lower density. Since most of the stuff I make is for the kitchen, where it won't be bashed around and stuff, the weight of the handle matters more for me than strength.
 
I have several g-10 custom knives as well as micarta that I use fishing. I find that G-10 is more slippery when wet, even when handle is contoured. I have no issue with g10 appearance. classic green micarta (like loveless) still my favorite look
 
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