Micarta or G10 pros cons

[parkertelmo]

Howdy fellow knife enthusiasts,
Wanted to know what your thoughts were on G10 handles vs. Canvas Micarta.

•Which one is better all around as far as durability in adverse conditions, Salt water for example

•Shock and wear resistant qualities including when chopping or batoning

•Hot spots and what not

Thanks for the input gentlemem

 

[neuron]

Both are excellent in terms of shock and wear resistance: you're not going to have a G-10 or micarta handle shatter or crack on you when using a knife for batoning/chopping. Same goes for durability in adverse conditions, although G-10 would be my pick since it won't absorb liquid, chemicals, etc. into its surface layers like micarta will. As for hot spots, it'll really depend more on the overall shape of the handle and the G-10/micarta scales than on the material itself, although many people do find micarta to have a slightly "softer" feel than G-10.

My favorite of the two is definitely G-10, but that's really just a matter of personal preference: both are excellent, very durable materials for a knife handle.

 

[lemmuhj]

I agree with Neuron. G-10 is the better choice. Micarta to me looks nice, but a whole handle/scale of it, shows dirt or hand oil marks way too much. I've sold really nice knives with micarta handles just because i was scared to use them and have something on my hands that might stain them. Also, whenever i went to wipe the blade with a tuf cloth or something similar, it left the micarta stained where it rubbed.

Now the micarta inlays on my sebenzas is a different story...i love 'em

 

[Buck_110]

Howdy fellow knife enthusiasts,
Wanted to know what your thoughts were on G10 handles vs. Canvas Micarta.

•Which one is better all around as far as durability in adverse conditions, Salt water for example

G-10 is essentially resin impregnated fiberglass; the same materials employed in the manfacture of non-cored, fiberglass boats.

...many people do find micarta to have a slightly "softer" feel than G-10.

As the surface layer of the resin degrades from use, the underlying substrate becomes more exposed. Fiberglass(G-10's core) will irritate, and sometimes inflame skin, while micarta's exposed cloth, be it linen, canvas, etc., will not.

 

[knarfeng]

Howdy fellow knife enthusiasts,
Wanted to know what your thoughts were on G10 handles vs. Canvas Micarta.

•Which one is better all around as far as durability in adverse conditions, Salt water for example

•Shock and wear resistant qualities including when chopping or batoning

•Hot spots and what not

Thanks for the input gentlemem

As far as resistance to salt water, there is no difference in the materials, themselves. Same also with shock resistance, or pretty much any other resistance.
Both are resin reinforced with fibers.
- G10 is, by definition, epoxy resin reinforced by glass fabric.
- "Micarta" is any of a number of resins reinforced by layers of any of several fabrics. Whether the fabric will absorb moisture in use will depend on how well impregnated with resin it is. If done properly, it will not absorb fluids.

As far as hot spots or what have you, that is more due to handle shape and surface finish than to the material itself. So it depends on how the individual maker shaped and finished the handle.

 

[parkertelmo]

Thanks for the input. Good to know, I always believed g10 was all around stronger but favored the feel of micarta.
This was very helpful. However, so if a knife is goin to be used in half maritime/ half land situations the choice would still be based on personal preferance?

 

[bada61265]

i think overall weight g10 is heavier than micarta. i like them both and dont fear using micarta handles for fear of getting them dirty. either way both are premium materials for knife handles where durability and stability is needed more than the looks of fine woods or bones.

 

[knarfeng]

Thanks for the input. Good to know, I always believed g10 was all around stronger but favored the feel of micarta.
This was very helpful. However, so if a knife is goin to be used in half maritime/ half land situations the choice would still be based on personal preferance?

IMO, it is personal preference and a knowledge of how well a specific knife maker does with each.

 

[Ken44]

This was very helpful. However, so if a knife is goin to be used in half maritime/ half land situations the choice would still be based on personal preferance?

It is a personal preferance thing, but I much prefer Micarta for its lighter weight, soft feel, and it also grips better when wet/bloody. G10 is a bit stronger, but both are plenty strong. G10 does look great, and can be had in about any color.

The canvas micarta will grip the best(more so if blasted, or not sanded as much). Since you will be using it wet make sure and get a textured G10 if you decide to go with G10. The smooth G10 can be slick when wet.

 

[David Martin]

Ken, You covered the points well on this subject. :thumbup: DM

 

[RussMo]

Both are excellent in terms of shock and wear resistance: you're not going to have a G-10 or micarta handle shatter or crack on you when using a knife for batoning/chopping. Same goes for durability in adverse conditions, although G-10 would be my pick since it won't absorb liquid, chemicals, etc. into its surface layers like micarta will. As for hot spots, it'll really depend more on the overall shape of the handle and the G-10/micarta scales than on the material itself, although many people do find micarta to have a slightly "softer" feel than G-10.

My favorite of the two is definitely G-10, but that's really just a matter of personal preference: both are excellent, very durable materials for a knife handle.

Well said Bro!!! I have and like both, but living where I do I need to know my hilts will stay together when banged on rocks, boat gunnels, planes, 4-wheelers, rifle or what ever. As far as that slick thing, I found you actually get more traction with a wet grip. Grips that have texture to them are best IMO. Up here we experience icing and micarta WILL get a freeze layer around it and IT WILL be slick. Just my .02!

 

[harlycarly]

Any ideas on cleaning these materials? Occasionally have gotten black smudges on Micarta from kydex sheath. I've been told that naptha or lighter fluid will work on these, but have not actually used them.

Thoughts?

 

[RussMo]

Any ideas on cleaning these materials? Occasionally have gotten black smudges on Micarta from kydex sheath. I've been told that naptha or lighter fluid will work on these, but have not actually used them.

Thoughts?

Used warm soapy water on Micarta and Hoppy's, alcohol, electra clean on G-10

 

[Ken44]

Any ideas on cleaning these materials? Occasionally have gotten black smudges on Micarta from kydex sheath. I've been told that naptha or lighter fluid will work on these, but have not actually used them.

Thoughts?

I use a gun degreaser or dish soap. I've never tried lighter fluid, but imagine it would work well.

 

[foxx]

Cleaning is not a problem, but don't boil or put micarta in the dishwasher, it will delaminate. I've never used either on micarta, but it shouldn't hurt the color, cloth, or resins.
When sanding the two, I've noticed that G-10 sands faster. This was a handle I have that is both, canvas micarta and orange G-10. Does that matter, only if you're knife will see abrasive materials, like sand.
Some G-10 handles are textured and have way more grip, but can also cause hot spots, just depends on what you want. I have a Tomahawk that has textured G-10, and hurts to go full on with bare hands, with gloves it's awesome.

 

[Tim616]

I prefer the look of linen micarta, to me G-10 just looks like plastic, I know it's not, but it still looks like it.

 

[Handwrecker]

When sanding the two, I've noticed that G-10 sands faster.

While I'm not a knife maker, I've read multiple times on here to make sure to wear some sort of mask when sanding or cutting G10, as the glass fibers will tear up your lungs in a very serious way.

But for the OP, in my experience it really is simply a personal preference thing. They've both never given me any problems when in use.