Micarta or G10?

Gov't Mule · May 17, 2008

I will be ordering an RC-4 once distributors get them in stock. I am really liking the look of the orange/od. What's the consensus on G10 scales on a hard-use knife? The G10-handled knives I have now (spydercos) eventually show pocket wear and clip wear; how much softer is g10 compared to micarta?

Granted the RC-4 is a fixed blade, and won't be going in and out of a pocket, is my concern legitimate, or am I just worrying too much?

Thanks

Keith_H · May 17, 2008

I think that g10 is plenty hard and strong, it is glass and glass is pretty hard on the mohs hardness scale.

rifon2 · May 17, 2008

G10 and Micarta are pretty much identical in their wear characteristics when used as knife handles.

The durability of G10 on a hard use knife is excellent.

chetmarks · May 17, 2008

I guess I'm partial to micarta. I have a bushcraft knife with g10 and it is cracking around the rivets, I have bookoo knives with micarta and they have held up to everything thrown at them. G10 is becoming more popular though and I probably have the one in a million that isn't holding up.

MikePerrin · May 17, 2008

The only thing I really have against G10 is I don't think it is as good for gripping when it gets wet. Micarta seems to grip well even when soaked with water, blood, etc..

rifon2 · May 18, 2008

MikePerrin said:
The only thing I really have against G10 is I don't think it is as good for gripping when it gets wet. Micarta seems to grip well even when soaked with water, blood, etc..

While their wear characteristics are pretty much identical, Micarta and G10 do feel different from each other.

Plus, with Micarta, you have a different feel between the paper, linen, and canvas types.

texastonydobbs · May 19, 2008

G10 can be slippery when wet....Micarta is great for wet application but other than that I like 'em both......

Beroya · May 19, 2008

MikePerrin said:
The only thing I really have against G10 is I don't think it is as good for gripping when it gets wet. Micarta seems to grip well even when soaked with water, blood, etc..

Mike summed it up! Micarta shows wear as well, especialy from sheathing that I have noticed with mine. But, get a rain shower or skin something and you will prefer it to G-10