Micarta or G10 for Survival EDC Knife

[Wild Willie]

Another vote for micarta here. Black canvas is my favorite, with natural canvas and burlap tied for a close second.

 

[AntDog]

G10 is structurally stronger and non-porous .

Better on a survival knife , IMO .

Maybe G10 could have saved this knife ?:

Micarta wouldn’t have saved that. A properly heat treated tang would.

I vastly prefer micarta. It just feels better. Don’t mind how it absorbs hand oil and discolors either - that’s one of the things I like most about it. G10 feels grippy but “dead”.

 

[DocJD]

Micarta wouldn’t have saved that. A properly heat treated tang would.

I vastly prefer micarta. It just feels better. Don’t mind how it absorbs hand oil and discolors either - that’s one of the things I like most about it. G10 feels grippy but “dead”.

Actually, it took a lot of terrible abuse to break that thing considering (most here claim ) its Pakistani made .

I, too, like the feel of Micarta better ,but I have several very sturdy Cold Steel folders with solid, linerless G10 handle/ frames .

I don't think Micarta could be properly used ,structurally , that way . Never seen one like that .

IMO , if you were to make a stressed skin construction , with decent thick slabs G10 epoxied to a handle , it would definitely add at least some strength (compared to Micarta) .

 

[AntDog]

Actually, it took a lot of terrible abuse to break that thing considering (most here claim ) its Pakistani made .

I, too, like the feel of Micarta better ,but I have several very sturdy Cold Steel folders with solid, linerless G10 handle/ frames .

I don't think Micarta could be properly used ,structurally , that way . Never seen one like that .

IMO , if you were to make a stressed skin construction , with decent thick slabs G10 epoxied to a handle , it would definitely add at least some strength (compared to Micarta) .

Nope. The handle isn’t going to save the tang, no matter how you slice it.

I’d count myself as one of the members who think it’s Pakistani made. The instant I saw that Damascus I thought “made in Pakistan”.

See if you can break a Busse with a micarta (or G10) handle with the same level of abuse. Betcha can’t.

 

[DocJD]

Nope. The handle isn’t going to save the tang, no matter how you slice it.

I’d count myself as one of the members who think it’s Pakistani made. The instant I saw that Damascus I thought “made in Pakistan”.

See if you can break a Busse with a micarta (or G10) handle with the same level of abuse. Betcha can’t.

Send me your Busse ...and I will try !

But no bets !

 

[19-3ben]

Micarta wouldn’t have saved that. A properly heat treated tang would.

I vastly prefer micarta. It just feels better. Don’t mind how it absorbs hand oil and discolors either - that’s one of the things I like most about it. G10 feels grippy but “dead”.

This, exactly. Micarta has a nice organic feel for me. G10 is definitely “dead.” I did just buy a set of TKC scales in G10 but mostly because I wanted to check out the way it changes the feel of a BK16. I’d have preferred micarta.

Actually, it took a lot of terrible abuse to break that thing considering (most here claim ) its Pakistani made .

I, too, like the feel of Micarta better ,but I have several very sturdy Cold Steel folders with solid, linerless G10 handle/ frames .

I don't think Micarta could be properly used ,structurally , that way . Never seen one like that .

It absolutely can. I had a Buck Spitfire C&C exclusive with linerless linen micarta scales.

 

[jux t]

Most replies here are about which material is personally preferred, when the original question asks which is more preferable for long term durability against the elements. I too usually prefer micarta because it feels better, but G10 is more durable all around, if only slightly.

 

[raindog308]

Here's a thought: I bought an Adamas fixed knife, which is a skeletonized handle intended to wrap in paracord. I added third-party G10 scales.

If I was in some kind of desperate survival situation and my G10 was damaged, I could easily wrap the knife handle in paracord (since that was the original idea). You can do this many knives, of course, though in this case the scales are designed to be removable and the handle was specifically designed for a paracord wrap.

Of course, this assumes I have either a Torx screwdriver or a piece of metal that will let me pry off the scales, plus paracord...

Truthfully, I just like the Adamas fixed and really like it with the scales I bought, so this capability is rather theoretical...but then, aren't many survival conversations. I mean, what are the odds that I'm going to be in any situation with only one knife?

 

[DocJD]

Buck Spitfire C&C exclusive with linerless linen micarta scales.

Cool !

But I still haven't seen one , until someone posts a pic .

Still : G10 is substantially harder and superior in tensile strength .
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According to Accurate PlasticsOpens in a new tab., below are the tensile and compressive strength numbers for both G-10 and Micarta. For those unfamiliar or who just need a refresher, tensile strength is a material’s strength when pullout outwards, and compressive strength is when it’s compressed inwards.

Material Lengthwise Tensile Strength (PSI) Crosswise Tensile Strength (PSI) Flatwise Compressive Strength (PSI) Edgewise Compressive Strength (PSI)
G-10 40,000 35,000 60,000 35,000
Canvas Micarta 9,000 7,000 39,000 24,500
Linen Micarta 12,500 8,750 37,000 25,000
While the data shows that G-10 is stronger than Micarta in every category, you should not wholly write Micarta off as a knife handle material. For most situations and people, both materials offer more than enough durability.

G-10 has a Rockwell Hardness rating of 110, while Micarta has a 100 RC.

The fiberglass cloth material used in G-10 creates a weaving pattern that gives it incredible strength and durability. The more natural and softer linen and canvas used to create Micarta simply doesn’t have the same level of strength.

Both materials are extremely strong, hard to scratch, and super durable, but G-10 is usually the favored one if durability and strength are primary factors in your decision.

Water Resistance
Micarta is more natural, and its linen, canvas, burlap, or paper ingredients are susceptible to moisture absorption. Sometimes the phenolic resin in Micarta has microscopic cracks and holes, which allows a small amount of water to seep into the outer layers of the material.

Dents, scratches, and regular wear and tear can increase water absorption, but barring a large crack or gouge in the Micarta, it isn’t much of a concern.

G-10, made from epoxy resin and fiberglass, has fewer microscopic holes where water can seep inside. Any moisture that does make it into the material is confined to the outer layers and evaporates quite quickly.

While they’re not entirely waterproof, G-10 and Micarta are both extremely water-resistant materials. As long as you let them properly dry out afterward, you should have no problem getting either material wet.

In fact, the natural ingredients in Micarta gain enhanced texture and are easier to grip and hold onto when wet. The same goes for G-10, but to a much lesser extent in most cases.

 

[19-3ben]

Cool !

But I still haven't seen one , until someone posts a pic .

I gave it to my cousin a few years ago, but here are some old pics of it. It looks like C&C no longer offers it, which is a damn shame. It was a great knife.

It was very light and thin. The S30v blade with Bos HT was awesome, and the linen micarta felt really nice in the hand.