Survey - Micarta over 3K?

Should Micarta be utilized on high-end Investment customs in the $3,000-$30,000 range

  • No Micarta for $3,000-$30,000 high-end customs.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Yes, Micarta is acceptable at any price if suits the knife.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
Kevin,
Based on your apparent disappointment in the poll, I feel it necessary to explain my vote for "yes" to micarta. I don't really like the stuff except in rare instances. And I would almost always opt for a different material given the choice.

When you started this poll, I was actually looking forward to seeing micarta go down in a big way. However, I think there are instances (like on the Loveless) where it is appropriate and that seemed to be the question.

I am not looking to see micarta take over other favorites (like stag, ivory, etc), because frankly I don't like it as much and I don't find it appropriate on knives from certain makers or on certain style knives. But I think it does have it's place-if rarely-even on 3k+ knives.

I guess what I am saying is that I find myself in your camp more than not, even though my vote and the poll doesn't show it.
Hopefully that gives you some consolation (perhaps others voted similarly and have similar views).

Great thread.
Nick

Nick, not so much disappointed as surprised. But if I have a view that I believe is widely shared, I'm glad to find out if it's in fact not.

I see where you are coming from though as polls can be confusing as often there's different ways to perceive the question thus affecting the results. Pollsters will tell you there's a lot of thought, research and science that goes into constructing the questions in a poll or survey to get the precise information they are looking for.

Anyway it's all just in fun and trying to learn a few things.

Thanks for the explanation.
 
I voted yes because I like man-made materials (micarta, CF, ...) and I think they are suited at any price level, if they suit the knife. There are knives on which I prefer top natural materials by far (stag, wood,...), especially the forged bowies and in general all narrow tang knives. On full tang I prefer materials that don't move at all.
 
I appreciate micarta for its simplicity, practicality, and durability. If I found a high-end custom that I loved, made by the appropriate maker, the presence of well-finished micarta would not only not deter me, but it would probably sway me to purchase even more. One of my criteria for buying any knife is, if I had to actually use it, could it withstand heavy use? Not that I've actually used any of my "high-end" knives yet. :o Just my $0.02.
 
On something as a Loveless knife, it is appropriate, because the maker is what is raising the value of the knife. On a knife that is made by most makers, we would be hard pressed to get that price if we put micarta on it. So, except for the knife which is made by one of the pillars of the knife making trade, no it wouldn't be a good idea.
 
On something as a Loveless knife, it is appropriate, because the maker is what is raising the value of the knife. On a knife that is made by most makers, we would be hard pressed to get that price if we put micarta on it. So, except for the knife which is made by one of the pillars of the knife making trade, no it wouldn't be a good idea.

My view on the subject is similar, however I have been noticing and appreciating micarta more though since these threads and reading everyone's impute.

Isn't it funny how forums tend to help you enjoy a wider view of things. :thumbup:;)
 
I do own a few in @$1000+ range... I also own a few in that range and down with Micarta, and I am quite pleased with that choice of handle material. So I can't really vote here...

However, I do believe the only validity in using Micarta on a knife is 'cause it's meant to be a user... And that's why Moran and company use it - they meant for their knives to be used. And the only reason their knives now bring such exorbitant prices is 'cause of hype, limited availability and true quality construction. (And I don't mean hype in a negative fashion - the work is quality and it gets talked up, coupled with the personalities involved - hence a Ferrari costs what it does on the secondary market! :D )

From my viewpoint, anybody buying a multithousand dollar knife isn't going to use it - they are buying art. And to me, art, in this instance, requires a much greater exploration of all the materials going into the knife's construction than mere utility, which is the strength of Micarta, (even though I do enjoy the look of sculpted canvas micarta, or well worn linen micarta!)

So, if ya wan't a Micarta handled multithousand dollar knife, buy it... But unless it's a rarity, scarce and in the vein of Kevin's threads, an investment piece, short of me winning the lotto, I won't be y'all's competition. :D
 
I do own a few in @$1000+ range... I also own a few in that range and down with Micarta, and I am quite pleased with that choice of handle material. So I can't really vote here...

However, I do believe the only validity in using Micarta on a knife is 'cause it's meant to be a user... And that's why Moran and company use it - they meant for their knives to be used. And the only reason their knives now bring such exorbitant prices is 'cause of hype, limited availability and true quality construction. (And I don't mean hype in a negative fashion - the work is quality and it gets talked up, coupled with the personalities involved - hence a Ferrari costs what it does on the secondary market! :D )

From my viewpoint, anybody buying a multithousand dollar knife isn't going to use it - they are buying art. And to me, art, in this instance, requires a much greater exploration of all the materials going into the knife's construction than mere utility, which is the strength of Micarta, (even though I do enjoy the look of sculpted canvas micarta, or well worn linen micarta!)

So, if ya wan't a Micarta handled multithousand dollar knife, buy it... But unless it's a rarity, scarce and in the vein of Kevin's threads, an investment piece, short of me winning the lotto, I won't be y'all's competition. :D

Good points and well said......:thumbup:
 
WWG, I would not even attemp to imply I know more about any aspect of the customs market than you.
But I do track the 3K+ sector on a dailey basics and there are more being made than most think especially including folders.

Bill Moran didn't like micarta on his knives, will y'all at lease give me that? ;) :D :D
BUT, Bill Moran primarily used what most of you serious collectors would considered to be another decidely downmarket handle material on most of his knives. Could we refer to curly maple as the "Micarta" of the natural handle material world? ;) I will say this. I prefer Micarta to some of the other synthetics like G10 by a WIDE margin.
 
BUT, Bill Moran primarily used what most of you serious collectors would considered to be another decidedly downmarket handle material on most of his knives. Could we refer to curly maple as the "Micarta" of the natural handle material world? ;) I will say this. I prefer Micarta to some of the other synthetics like G10 by a WIDE margin.

I see your point as curly maple is probably one of the lessor expensive handle materials. A good one though IMO.

Brings up a bigger question, as many will say wood handle material should not be utilized on a $3000 knife. I would probably agree except in the case of a very exceptional example of wood or a particularly style knife where wire inlay is to be used.

What are your opinions on this subject?
 
As much as I like wire inlay, I have never seen it done cleanly enough to have its place on a $3,000 knife (however, I have seen $3,000 knives with wire inlay sell, so Mr. Market disagrees with me).
 
As much as I like wire inlay, I have never seen it done cleanly enough to have its place on a $3,000 knife (however, I have seen $3,000 knives with wire inlay sell, so Mr. Market disagrees with me).

The ABS Auction Master's "D" Guard Bowie form the last Blade Show had extremely well executed wire inlay by Greg Neely. Many,many,many yards of it as a matter of fact and sold for about $15,000. And worth every penny of it IMO. But I agree, you do see quite a bit of poor executed wire inlay.
 
Thanks for the note, this is encouraging.

It seems that it is an inherently difficult embellishment to do.
 
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