The types of Micarta

Hello!

Could somebody explain me what is the difference between linen and canvas micarta,appart from the fact they look different-I think linen micarta looks much better. Is this the only difference? Which type of the two is a better handle material?

Thank you
 
Mike Hull

Mike Hull

Joined
Nov 25, 2000
Messages
5,548
Like the name implies,linen micarta uses a linen like matl., in its construction,and canvas,a courser canvas like matl.Which one is better all depends on your likes/dislikes.Linen can usually be brought to a higher state of polish.Canvas can be left in a rough state for a better grip when wet etc.Both a equally tough,imo.

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MJH
 
Canvis Micarta will give you a wider wood grain pattern when finished than linen and linen a wider pattern than paper based Micarta

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Member--Texas Knife Makers and Collectors Association
 
Micarta is similar to fiber glass. It is basically highly compressed layers of resin and material (paper, linen, canvas, etc). Paper micarta gives the smoothest finish, linen is next, and canvas is the roughest. This is because of the size and density of fibers in these different materials. Color can be added to the resin, or come from the color of the material used. The strength and durability of different micarta formulations should be very similar. Any micarta will make a great knife handle material. The difference is in the color, finish and texture.

Paracelsus

[This message has been edited by Paracelsus (edited 01-24-2001).]
 
Thank you all for quick and informative responses.They are appreciated. I have one more question,if you don't mind. Are there significant price differences between paper,linen and canvas micarta? Which type of micarta is more costly to produce?
 
If there is a price difference,it is not significant.I dont mean to preach,but wear a respirator when you work with this stuff,the dust & fumes are very dangerous.

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MJH
 
I'd just like to add that while canvas micarta is more coarse than linen, that doesn't mean it has a less desirable feel. I mention this because the micarta handles on my LCC (which I believe are canvas AFIK) have a very soft, almost blue jean denim feel to them.

This contrasts the feel of the linen micarta handles I have on some other models- like the Spyderco Viele- which are less coarse, but feel more like a smooth plastic.

I think both are nice, though. This LCC is my first experience with canvas micarta- and
I'm surprised that it feels the way it does- pretty nice actually. Just figured I'd toss that out there, FWIW.

Firebat

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Name's Ash......Housewares.
 
Here is a micarta that you don't see much of any more, I had a set of scales and sent my Dozier knife back to Bob and asked him to replace the ones that were on it for these, it's call Rag Micarta, by name you would infer that it has rags in it and you would be correct...they take old rags, along with the resin compound and soak and put under pressure, then cut them out in blocks, very pretty designs within the material as you cut through and form the handle shape;

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The reason I asked to have the scales changed was because the wood that was on there seemed to move with the weather and that drove me crazy...short drive but a drive none the less!
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G2
G2

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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...
 
Good one, Gary. I've got that rag micarta on a miniHawksbill Neil Blackwood made for me. Unfortunately, they don't make this stuff anymore and it is very hard to find.
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My Hossom Millennium Black also has rag micarta scales. Very beautiful...you can go to www.hossom.com/gallery , page three, I think, to see it. I'd post the pic here, but I'm 'puter illiterate!
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[This message has been edited by MrG (edited 01-25-2001).]

[This message has been edited by MrG (edited 01-25-2001).]
 
Gary, That is absolutely beautiful! I've never seen anything like it. Thanks for the pic.

Dean
 
MIHKNIVES,thank you for that advice/warning regarding dangerous dust when working with micarta,I wasn't aware of this. Although I don't have such intentions at the moment, it's good to know this ,just in case I do some work on micarta handles in future.
 
The practical difference in grip between linen and canvas micarta is largely dependent upon the maker and the type of finish he used on the scales.

In general, linen micarta feels smoother than canvas micarta and yields a less secure grip, but this is not always the case. In the picture are three knives, the top one is an Emerson Custom CQC6 with canvas micarta scales. The middle knife is a Kit Carson small Talonite (r) U2 dive knife with linen micarta scales. The bottom knife is a Tom Mayo 5" drop point hunter also with Talonite (r) blade and linen micarta scales.

The Mayo knife is finished (and feels) very smooth; you can probably tell this from the highlights. The Carson knife is finished rough, and has the most secure grip of the three. The Emerson which would be expected to be roughest (thus most secure), is actually somewhat slick (although not as slick as the Mayo knife) to the grip.

The linen micarta is much superior to canvas in appearance, IMHO.

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Grip is also important in football. My kittens have been practicing 'piling on' in preparation for the Super Bowl. Notice that the player on the bottom, 'Bandit', has his right paw firmly flexed around the (not seen) football. Look just under the topmost gray cat/player's ('Andrea de la Gata') nose to see this.
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Walt ('sleeps with cats')
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[This message has been edited by Walt Welch (edited 01-26-2001).]
 
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