Micarta is Nice

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rowdy27

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I recently got a BM 610 Rukus and was immediately impressed with the warmth/feel of the Micarta handle.
Most of my other folders are Zytel or plastic.
I'll be looking for Micarta on my next knife now too!
 
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whats the main difference on the feel? never owned a micarta handled knife, curious if it has anything to do with the price tag.
 
Micarta being an airy material (imo) tends to have a warmth to it that solid polymer or metal handles don't have. It gives a dry feel too, to me it's got a almost soft dry feel to it, it's not an expensive material, but usually is reserved for more expensive knifes due to the fact that it has to be milled and can't be injection molded like most plastics can be.
 
I like Micarta.

The only negative to its use on the 610 I have is that it has been over finished, i.e. wish they had left is grippier.
 
Ya could scuff it up with sandpaper..I did! (My Vulcan too, I hate any sharp spots on my handles.)
 
Airy is not how I would describe micarta, it's an incredibly dense phenolic laminate. It does have a "soft" natural feel(it's not soft mind you, it's quite hard) compared to most other synthetics though.
 
I make custom knife handle replacements and Micarta is my favorite as well.

There is a lot of variation in the 'feel' of it depending on what grade you use, i.e. paper, linen or canvas Micarta.

And it can be finished to a gloss or a soft matte which also affects the feel / grip of it.

I prefer it to G-10 and other laminates, mostly because G-10 has few advantages and it is more of a health hazard to work with.
 
rowdy27 said:
Ya could scuff it up with sandpaper..I did! (My Vulcan too, I hate any sharp spots on my handles.)
Click to expand...

Yep, I just sanded my Perrin Street Beat a bit and it looks pretty cool. No problems either with dust because it is just epoxy and fabric. G-10 is what you should not mess with. Micarta is probably my favorite handle material.
 
Not to hijack the thread, but what are the health concerns with G10? I'm assuming it's only if it's sanded or otherwise modified and breathed in?
 
Yes, glass fibers in the lungs = bad mojo. Also if you're using a machine to shape it the resin gives off some fumes which are likely not good for you.
 
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