Micarta vs wood and bone

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
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I have been carrying my Remington peanut from Carl in delrin, and my Case Tribal Spear in ebony as my EDC. Both have held up pretty well, I carry a flashlight in the pocket with my peanut and my frame lock in the back pocket with my Tribal Spear. I've been carrying my Viper as an alternative to the Tribal here and there, and I like the micarta more. I've had a few micarta handled customs, but right now it's just my Oeser Zulu. I know it's sacrilege, but I'm beginning to prefer micarta and delrin over traditional materials for covers, like bone and wood. For use primarily. Don't get me wrong, real pocket worn bone is my favorite material and probably will be for eternity. I just prefer micarta on a working knife these days. Must be a holdover from my one hand wonder days. Or from using fixed blades with micarta.
 
Why do you prefer micarta? Is it the durability? Looks? The way it feels?

I'm the opposite. A big draw for me with traditional knives is the use of natural handle materials. Jigged bone for slipjoints, wood for fixed blades. Stag looks good on both. If I wanted synthetics I would've stuck with more modern designs.

- Christian
 
I am very fond of wood for covers but I have an old Buck 500 that my dad gave me years ago with micarta covers that has been around the world with me when I was still in the U.S.A.F. Micarta is great stuff for a working knife. I am considering
a Northwoods Fremont Jack from the next run of them because of the micarta covers.
 
It's funny you mentioned that micarta is drawing you to it more lately as compared to bone or wood. I have always like bone above all and I am liking wood handled knives more.
There is nothing wrong with micarta on a traditional, it is plastic resin based. Just think of it as super durable celluloid which has been on traditionals for years. :D
 
I am also a big fan of micarta on my traditionals. Love the looks and the durability. I know it will probably not happen but a TC Barlow with Westinghouse or ivory micarta would be a must have for me! Matter of fact I will take 2 Charlie!😄
 
I particularly like the fine grained linen and paper Micarta. Especially in Antique Ivory.

Here's a few examples. I don't think this detracts from a traditional pattern knife in any way. As was mentioned earlier by Mark, Micarta, or similar resins have been used on traditional knives for a long time now.
IMG_1224r1.jpg

DSC02380.jpg
 
I really like most of the handle materials on traditionals, I currently have examples of bone, wood, micarta, stag, and delrin in my small collection. I love small micarta shadow pattern knives, they just carry so easily and make great users. This is a favorite carry of mine.

C23ED98E-C769-4940-B9BD-4C1CDF10ADDB.jpg
 
Sacrilege....not at all! This one's in my pocket more that any other, I think because of the micarta more than any other reason.
 
Just carry what you want. Not everything has to be a "this versus that" discussion.
 
Versus wasn't meant to portray one is better than the other. Most of my collection is bone, wood and delrin. For EDC purposes my tastes have changed. I know what you mean John, but it's a discussion board. I think it has to do with my seeing most customs out there, at least in my price range, 500 or less, having micarta covers. Overall, I will always prefer pocket worn bone as the best handle material out there, but I prefer micarta right now. I'm a fickle knife nut, my tastes may change. I hope that others do not see my opinion as a be all end all.

Keep the pics coming.
 
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Micarta is a very nice material for sure. I like paper/linen for slipjoints, and canvas for fixed blades.
I never really loved bone, cause I prefer smooth scales. Jigged bone looks good, but feels good (to me) only when it's well worn. Smooth bone, on the other hand, looks "trivial" quite often.
But no other handle material beats wood for me :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
My Halfrich Baby Rounder is jigged paper black micarta.

4ec95ce2693991f1006311a25a448f0d_zps8c6a8609.jpg


Couldn't ask for a more durable material that shows very little wear in the pocket.
 
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quattromori said:
Micarta is a very nice material for sure. I like paper/linen for slipjoints, and canvas for fixed blades.
I never really loved bone, cause I prefer smooth scales. Jigged bone looks good, but feels good (to me) only when it's well worn. Smooth bone, on the other hand, looks "trivial" quite often.
But no other handle material beats wood for me :)

Fausto
:cool:
Click to expand...

I love the look of wood on a fixed blade. Being able to contour the handle to the overall design is very appealing.
 
The antique ivory Westinghouse micarta is very attractive. All of the above posted look great.
 
JB in SC said:
My Halfrich Baby Rounder is jigged paper black micarta.

4ec95ce2693991f1006311a25a448f0d_zps8c6a8609.jpg


Couldn't ask for a more durable material that shows very little wear in the pocket.
Click to expand...
I have never seen micarta jigged like this. That is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
 
I'm with Perchjerk, that jigged micarta looks nice.

Hey you got your traditional construction on my modern materials. No you got your modern materials in my traditional construction. Wait this is really good together almost like peanut butter and chocolate.
 
I have knives with micarta, wood, and bone. All have held up well to any situation when the knife I'm using has been put to work. I don't really have a favorite but it's hard to beat a nicely figured jigged bone but then again wood takes on a nice look after it has been used for awhile.
 
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