Micarta vs wood

golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
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I often wonder which material do knifemakers prefer for handles.

Wood has got its charm but micarta offers many possibilities.
Tell me your preferences.
 
Wood because it's more beautiful, and feels more natural.

Micartya because it's almost indestructible, water proof, and cheaper.
 
I don't know which one the makers prefer to work with, but I know I'm way more likely to buy a micarta handled knife if all other things are equal. I've seen some nice stabilized woods, but still they don't do as much for me as bone, stag, pearl or micarta.
 
Please explain why you would put micarta/phenolic in the same category of stag, bone, and pearl. Also why you put it ahead of premium woods?? Just curious as to your reasons or personal preference.

Ken Beatty
 
Micarta is the last on the list and I simply prefer the characteristics of micarta over wood. I know this is not everyone's opinion, but it is mine! Actually for collecting purposes I prefer stag and pearl about equal if the stag is good, but also have a fondness for gorgeous bone. For a using knife bone, and micarta are my choices. Micarta is very durable, almost indestructible, yet developes some character as it is used. Perhaps I just haven't seen the right combination. I own several Ray Cover customs and as much as I love his work and admire him, he himself says he doesn't think the stabilized woods would be all that great for use. He makes some nice knives with stabilized woods however.
 
I like the natural materials, but use micarta/g10/carbon fiber for users. The natural materials are more prone to shrinking, cracking, chipping, scratching, denting, etc. Most knifemakers will not warrentee natural materials either.

Thomas
 
I like wood or other natural materials for custom knives. I've seen some nice looking micarta, though.
 
I was mainly a wood guy, and still am for the most part. I hated micarta/g10 and would do most anything to not get a knife with it. But I am ashamed to admit, " I like micarta/g10." I've even seen some that looks pretty darn good.
 
Micarta is an excellent handle material, I really like it on users. On the knives that I collect, my preference would be wood. I like the way it is one of the traditional handle materials for bowies. Although, I would be willing to bet that if Micarta was available 160 years ago, knifemakers would have used it.
 
The choice of material is then tempered with the way that the maker uses it. I agree that Micarta and many other synthetics are there for durability primarily. However, there are many makers who can work some real art on these synthetic materials. You only need to look at the titanium handles on many modern folders to see that even "sterile" materials can be canvasses for the human imagination. I myself come from a position of the working knife, so Micarta scores high. So do many woods like Gidgee, Rosewood / African Blackwood, many stabilised woods etc. which can take a beating. However, if you think that there are woods and other natural materials that are relatively tough, it can't compare to synthetics like Micarta that are virtually indestructible. I'll stop rambling now... Jason.
 
For hidden tang knives, I love natural woods and stag. For full, exposed tangs, I like manmade materials like micarta, G10, carbon fiber. I just do not like shrinking handle materials that expose the tang.
 
Very interesting thread - Does carbon fiber rate as highly with you guys as Micarta for durability and wear character?

I have to say, I'm not a huge G10 fan, and after a few years of use the G10 on my Sere 2000 I don't really care for it's looks. I was musing about getting some carbon fiber replacements, but I've seen some micarta that's been very nice. I'm still going to use it daily.
 
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