Micarta - When is it appropriate for use?

[Kevin Jones]

You know how I feel about Micarta! Same as Bob. Warm to the touch.,Tacky when wet. Even when highly polished. Pleasant look. Will last forever. Hot, cold. Blood, fish guts, It doesn't care. Fantastic stuff. They can't all be Mammoth. Nor should they be. We some times forget that knives are tools first. Some knives should be used, and used hard. Mike

Thought this subject deserved its own thread, so I brought it over from another. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=483094

I will concede that micarta may make sense on a fishing, shucking, kitchen or high use work knifes, but on customs that will sell in the $15,000-$30,000 range or even much less and never be used? That's crap IMO.

When I refer to natural materials, I'm not just referring to ivory.
There are many forms of natural material that will hold up to hard use and feel great in your hand but also add a little style and character to the knife. Stag, ramhorn and certain woods just to name a few.

What do you think of micarta and when it should be used?

What other handle materials do you like? For what reason? And for what purpose knife?

I fully expect to take on fire for this. So let's have it.

 

[lwrhea]

Kevin,
I use Micarta on SOME knives, but they are knives that I would expect to recieve hard use. All of my knives are made to use, but when I use Micarta, I am expecting the handle to also get some rough treatment. For instance this knife:

I call it my Subhilt Fighter. I realize that it is not what some would call a true subhilt and thats the reason for the Micarta. Micarta has reinforcement in both directions and throughout the material. This allows me to shape the finger groove without worry of it breaking off, while keeping the cost down for a knife that will be most likely used hard. It might be dropped, thrown, used for club etc. Some knife savvy customers buy with this in mind.
I sometimes (not often), use Micarta on an entry level knife for certain knife shows. This may be the only opportunity for a new buyer of custom knives to break into the game. At the same time I know the knife will take whatever punishement they can dish out. I keep it on hand, but by choice, use it sparingly. Its an option that I like having when I need it.

Lin

 

[lwrhea]

Sorry for the red X. I cant seem to get it right this morning. Here is the link.

http://http://www.rheaknives.com/GP_2006_03_FI_CS_0800.htm

Lin

 

[Win Heger]

Well, I don't think there is a better material for a using knife. G10 and Carbon Fiber are good but like Mike says Micarta has a lot of attributes.

I'm not sure that Bob Loveless pioneered the use of Micarta but he loves the material. He designed and built knives to be users and to last a long time. I have no hesitation ordering or purchasing a Loveless knife in Micarta. I took some heat in a post I had made with my Loveless Micarta knives. Loveless is probably not a good example because his knives are so sought after. Probably even sell with Giraffe Bone.

Conversation I had with Bob:

W: How about Stag on these?
B: Stag's hard to get, how about Micarta?
W: Well, OK, but I really like Stag
B: WTF, Win, when you take my knife out in the woods and lose it, 20 years from now someone will find it. With Stag the squirrels will have chewed off the handle, with Micarta there's still be a usable knife.

Bob, builds and designs knives intended to be used. He sure knows about knife collecting but that doesn't influence him one bit. Other than his pricing!

Lovett is staying true to the Loveless philsophy, cool.
As to other makers, I prefer Stag first and then we can talk about other handle materials, Micarta probably last.

How about a Fisk "Military" in black Micarta! works for me.

Win

 

[Kevin Jones]

Kevin,
I use Micarta on SOME knives, but they are knives that I would expect to recieve hard use. All of my knives are made to use, but when I use Micarta, I am expecting the handle to also get some rough treatment. For instance this knife:

I call it my Subhilt Fighter. I realize that it is not what some would call a true subhilt and thats the reason for the Micarta. Micarta has reinforcement in both directions and throughout the material. This allows me to shape the finger groove without worry of it breaking off, while keeping the cost down for a knife that will be most likely used hard. It might be dropped, thrown, used for club etc. Some knife savvy customers buy with this in mind.
I sometimes (not often), use Micarta on an entry level knife for certain knife shows. This may be the only opportunity for a new buyer of custom knives to break into the game. At the same time I know the knife will take whatever punishement they can dish out. I keep it on hand, but by choice, use it sparingly. Its an option that I like having when I need it.

Lin

 

[jdm61]

personally, I prefer a tough wood anytime. I guess that issue it is like the old wood vs. composite gunstock argument. About the only time I ever replaced a set of wood pistol grips was on a Browning HP because i never liked the square shap of the factory grips and wanted 1911 style panls and couldn't really find any, so I used Pachmyrs.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Well, I don't think there is a better material for a using knife. G10 and Carbon Fiber are good but like Mike says Micarta has a lot of attributes.

I'm not sure that Bob Loveless pioneered the use of Micarta but he loves the material. He designed and built knives to be users and to last a long time. I have no hesitation ordering or purchasing a Loveless knife in Micarta. I took some heat in a post I had made with my Loveless Micarta knives. Loveless is probably not a good example because his knives are so sought after. Probably even sell with Giraffe Bone.

Conversation I had with Bob:

W: How about Stag on these?
B: Stag's hard to get, how about Micarta?
W: Well, OK, but I really like Stag
B: WTF, Win, when you take my knife out in the woods and lose it, 20 years from now someone will find it. With Stag the squirrels will have chewed off the handle, with Micarta there's still be a usable knife.

Bob, builds and designs knives intended to be used. He sure knows about knife collecting but that doesn't influence him one bit. Other than his pricing!

Lovett is staying true to the Loveless philsophy, cool.
As to other makers, I prefer Stag first and then we can talk about other handle materials, Micarta probably last.

How about a Fisk "Military" in black Micarta! works for me.

Win

Win, very good post. But I still stick to my opinion that an expensive collector/investment grade custom should not utilize a micarta handle and it's an insult IMO for a maker to offer such.

In regard to the Fisk, I'm quite sure Jerry has used micarta for that particular model. Believe Bob Neal had one on his site about 24 months ago. Peter G also has an older Fisk Southern Bowie with a micarta handle (quite rare; I must add). Perhaps he will post it here.

Knowing Jerry, I believe he would share Lin and my opinion (I totally agree with Lin's post above). IMO, a Fisk Military as you describe would be great for one of our deployed servicemen (and every one of them deserves one IMO).

I prefer the handle material below for a Fisk "Military".

I would however, really like to have the simplest of an oyster shucking knife with a micarta handle.

And Win, please don't lose one of your beautiful Loveless pieces in the woods.

Seriously, and related to the above Fisk Military Model Servicemen point, Daniel Winkler is working on a project to get his approved "Breaching Axe" into the hands of the remaining 42 member US Army's Elite Counter Terrorism Unit's members that don't already have them. The goverment has only budgeted for 10 a year for them.
Daniel is suppling these at cost, so contact him for more information or if you would to help out.

 

[ptgdvc]

I pride myself on being extremely picky about handle materials. Sometimes a knife almost seems to select the right material for itself. I know that may seem kooky and weird, but I think there is an element of truth to it. I think the micarta works perfectly on this one.

Micarta Bowie by Jerry Fisk, MS

 

[Kevin Jones]

I pride myself on being extremely picky about handle materials. Sometimes a knife almost seems to select the right material for itself. I know that may seem kooky and weird, but I think there is an element of truth to it. I think the micarta works perfectly on this one.

Peter, I would disagree that micarta "works" on a Classic Arkansas Southern Bowie, however as I stated previously its makes this one a rare and wonderful piece for any collection.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[SharpByCoop]

I like micarta and understand hesitancy in it's collectible status. Regardless, it has a visual characteristic that is unmistakable and delightful as well as natural materials. (My own preference is ivory micarta on folders these days.)

Here's a look at the 'best of the best' in black cloth micarta knives.

Coop

 

[ptgdvc]

Kevin,

Fair enough, but remember if Micarta had existed in the 19th Century everyone would have been paying extra and demanding to have it on their knife.

P

 

[Kevin Jones]

I like micarta and understand hesitancy in it's collectible status. Regardless, it has a visual characteristic that is unmistakable and delightful as well as natural materials. (My own preference is ivory micarta on folders these days.)

Coop

Coop, you could make old rags wrapped as a handle look good.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

Peter, I would disagree that micarta "works" on a Classic Arkansas Southern Bowie, however as I stared previously its makes this one a rare and wonderful piece for any collection.

Just my opinion, of course

Kevin,

All of Jerry's patterns are more modern than you give them credit for. They are classically styled, but are really byproducts of the tactical knife craze of the 80's, like the works of Dean, Crowell and others. There is nothing "old fashioned" about any of their patterns, except for the manner in which they are made. In my opinion, Micarta is a classic handle material for a using knife, which Peter's certainly is. If anything, that sheath is slightly out of place as the tooling is beautiful, but purely "decramental" (My own word..).

Unlike the traditional, antique bowies that inspired the current makers, the new generation of bowies have been well thought out regarding all aspects of performance. It is only fitting that a high performance blade deserves a high performance handle in some cases.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Kevin,

All of Jerry's patterns are more modern than you give them credit for. They are classically styled, but are really byproducts of the tactical knife craze of the 80's, like the works of Dean, Crowell and others. There is nothing "old fashioned" about any of their patterns, except for the manner in which they are made. In my opinion, Micarta is a classic handle material for a using knife, which Peter's certainly is. If anything, that sheath is slightly out of place as the tooling is beautiful, but purely "decramental" (My own word..).

Unlike the traditional, antique bowies that inspired the current makers, the new generation of bowies have been well thought out regarding all aspects of performance. It is only fitting that a high performance blade deserves a high performance handle in some cases.

Quite to the contrary Anthony, as I view Jerry's, Harvey's, Tim's, Steve's and other ABS maker's designs as modern classics for which they should take credit for, not necessarily modeled after the traditional antique pieces of the past.
No doubt they draw inspiration from the past makers, however the beautiful Southern and Southwest Bowies these makers create today demonstrate the best of both worlds.
As to micarta handles for these large bowies, I know Jerry only uses it for these examples if specially ordered by owner and I would be willing to bet the other makers I mentioned above take the same approach.

But thanks for the lesson on Jerry's knives, as I’m very new at this compared to you and some others here. And I do learn or at least broaden my thinking as you challenge my post and I hope others do.

 

[Bladeandbarrel]

I wasn't trying to give any lessons. Just my opinion only.

I think the "modern classics" make a better transition to micarta than Mastodon in some cases as their roots are steeped in performance, not wall hanging.

 

[RogerP]

Micarta is fine on a user. I don't see much controversy - customer orders micarta because they want it - or buys the knife already made that way 'cause they like it. Personally, I have no use for it whatsoever. Even on a hard user, I'd rather have wood. Every time. My choice.

Roger

 

[Kevin Jones]

I wasn't trying to give any lessons. Just my opinion only.

I think the "modern classics" make a better transition to micarta than Mastodon in some cases as their roots are steeped in performance, not wall hanging.

Perhaps not a lesson, however there's a lot of teaching and learning on this forum as the result of views and opinions being presented and kicked around. :thumbup:

These makers are mostly able to get thousands for their work as a result of the aesthetic look, style, execution and feel (wall hangings) rather than performance, even though we all know they perform to the highest of standards.

I didn't start this thread to debate whether ivory was as good a handle material as macarta, but rather to state my opposition to makers using a cheap man-made material to make very expensive collector/investor grade knives when other more aesthetic, durable, comfortable natural materials are available.

 

[Grapevine]

I think micarta can look quite good on clean, non-embellished knives. And those types of knives can be collectors grade in and of themselves if their fit and finish are as perfect as can be. When paired with damascus, engravings, etc, micarta has no place.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

..........................When paired with damascus, engravings, etc, micarta has no place.

Unless that's what the customer wants.
And he has every right to design his knife the way he wants it.
And he is entitled to his opinion just like everyone else.
And his opinion is just as valid.

 

[Joss]

Contrary to some here, I like Micarta a lot, and I think it is actually very elegant. It's not walrus ivory of course, but short of that I think it has some of the nicest appearance if you're looking for a solid color. I think it can be a good alternative to blackwood. I think it can be a great material if you want some major carving on the handle.

I'd take micarta anyday over a boring DI or walnut - not over the really fancy grades, but I have seen many a knife made with oh-hum natural material (anywhere from wood to stag), which would have looked better with a nicely finished micarta handle.