Micarta or G-10?

I love Micarta but I believe G10 works better for grip and Micarta is prettier. That's my short answer. If you like a smoother texture then Micarta is great
 
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Micarta for sure. Lighter and much better grip, even when wet or bloody.

G-10 does look great, but feels heavy, slick and cold compared to micarta. G-10 is a bit tougher, but micarta is as tough as you will ever need.
 
There are two different types of micarta: linen and canvas?
Anyway one is shiny, the other dull. The micarta scales on my
Lone Wolf Harsey Tactical T3 are really dull and grippy.
As compared to the micarta on an Al Mar Sere III Attack, which are really glossy and slippery.

I like the dull grippy micarta for use, the shiny stuff for looks only on a knife in a display case.

G10 is usually dull and grippy. But there have been some instances of polished G10, which is slippery. Kershaw Random Task knife comes to mind as the first to use polished G10. Don't like it, to slick.

So I get you need to specify which type of G10 or Micarta you are talking about.
 
micarta is understated and classic, g10 is tactical and modern. so they simply suit different knives imo.
 
cbxer55 said:
There are two different types of micarta: linen and canvas?
Anyway one is shiny, the other dull.

I like the dull grippy micarta for use, the shiny stuff for looks only on a knife in a display case.

G10 is usually dull and grippy.
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3 types of micarta. Paper, Linen, and Canvas. The paper will have the best(darkest color), and Canvas has the least color but is the toughest. Linen in the middle.

The shine you speak of has nothing to do with what type micarta, but how much it was polished/sanded. Some makers even bead blast the micarta for a rough grip. It will even grip well when polished shiny, esp when wet.

G10 is not grippy at all IMO. Micarta is VERY grippy, even more so when wet. G10 is a bit slippery when wet.

Like I said before, g10 is the toughest out there and the color's can't be matched for looks. But micarta is as tough as you will ever need at a much lighter weight, and much better feel and grip.
 
I don't know man! That Al MAr Sere III I once had was as slippery as a wet fishwhen wet. It had shiny micarta scales. I sold it, not due to said eeliness, just a desire to offload some of the way too many knives I had at the time.
 
I really like both, but if I had to pick one over the other it would be Micarta. G10 can have a bit of plastic feeling at times, but still it performs very well.
 
I use more canvas than any other handle material, Depending on the customers request it can be polished slick as glass or left at 60 grit and bead blasted. Overall I would say it's the best of both worlds.
 
I am a g10 fan. Gris depends a lot on the finish. Both can be grippy or slippery. I think g10 looks nicer
 
Aesthetically, micarta for sure. I like micarta even on folders but G-10 is, depending on the structure, OK too. I prefer micarta for fixed blades for reasons already mentioned, but I really like the G-10 handles on Busse and Swamprat knives.
 
Between canvas micarta (I don't have experience with paper or linen) or G10 I slightly prefer the G10.

Micarta is a bit lighter, and feels somehow slightly softer. But the difference isn't that great. G10's biggest advantage for me is it doesn't absorb liquids, which canvas micarta can.

G10 can be made as grippy as you could possibly want, it just needs to be textured. I have a G10 handled knife that I complain about being too grippy (the scales are seriously abrasive).
 
GregY said:
Between canvas micarta (I don't have experience with paper or linen) or G10 I slightly prefer the G10.

Micarta is a bit lighter, and feels somehow slightly softer. But the difference isn't that great. G10's biggest advantage for me is it doesn't absorb liquids, which canvas micarta can.

G10 can be made as grippy as you could possibly want, it just needs to be textured. I have a G10 handled knife that I complain about being too grippy (the scales are seriously abrasive).
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Micarta won't absorb liquid.

Both G-10 and Micarta can be textured as rough as you like or polished incredibly smooth. It depends on the intended use of the knife and the preference of the user.

I prefer Micarta on fixed blade knives and G-10 on folders.
 
Ken44 said:
G10 is not grippy at all IMO. Micarta is VERY grippy, even more so when wet. G10 is a bit slippery when wet.
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A big +1

GregY said:
G10 can be made as grippy as you could possibly want, it just needs to be textured. I have a G10 handled knife that I complain about being too grippy (the scales are seriously abrasive).
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I've heard many people say that but I've yet to experience it. I have owned several knives with G10 and no matter what the texture, checkering, shape, pattern, etc. they never felt as secure as G10 to me. I've reached the point I won't even consider a knife with G10 anymore.

I guess it all depends on what works for your hand.
 
Josh K said:
Micarta won't absorb liquid.
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Tell that to my Harsey Tactical T3! When the scales get wet, they get a darker, almost glossy look that lasts for about ten minutes. If I put something like WD40 on the scales, they will appear the same for about three hours. If I use Break-Free, it will last a couple of days.

Also the scale that rides against my body is darker in color than the opposite, especially on humid days. Applying WD40 or Break-Free darkens both of them, and since it darkens the scales, prevents the dissimilarity for a few days. Once the darkness goes away ,the scales return to the factory shade until carried on a humid day.

If that is not absorption, what exactly is it?
 
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