Waki G10 vs Waki Micarta

md02geist

md02geist

Joined
Feb 8, 2010
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Hello all!

Quick question: Does anyone have experience with either/both g10 or/and micarta handles on their waki?

I ask because I have preordered a waki with tan micarta and muddy blade, but I really love the black/tan g10 with the muddy look (same one Eric posted in here earlier, very much my style). However, I worry about the added weight of the G10 and the "slip" factor.

I have very little experience with either G10 or micarta. I understand they are basically both very very strong and understand the formation of each, but I want actual hands-on as to how each performs on the waki in particular.

The few discussions I've had seem to hint at the G10 being slicker and heavier, which is not something I'm sure I want in a blade that I will be taking home-run swings with (because of course I've got to repeat the tree hack test.
 
In theory the G10 should have given a different balance, but in practical application, the balance of my two (orange/black g10 and black canvas micarta) was almost identical. This was confirmed by placing pens under each to find the exact balance points.

The micarta WAS grippier and more comfortable in hand, though, but I ended up keeping the G10 and selling the micarta. On something as ridiculous as a sword, I'm not going to be using it for eight hours at a time, so the comfort factor of the handles wasn't enough to sway me away from the cool looking G10
 
That is good to know.

The reason I am concerned with the grip is because I fully intend for myself and my three brothers/brothers-in-law to take "home run" swings with it this summer on our camping trips, to try and duplicate the tree chopping action I saw in the video.

I don't want the g10 to slip and slide if we start getting sweaty hands.
 
When you said "home-run" it made me think of batting gloves-rosin and pine tar,all make a grippy bat or waki.
 
lol I mean "put some weight into it" swings at a tree trunk. But yes, I suppose wrapping the handle of my waki in sticky tape could do it LOL :)
 
md02geist said:
That is good to know.

The reason I am concerned with the grip is because I fully intend for myself and my three brothers/brothers-in-law to take "home run" swings with it this summer on our camping trips, to try and duplicate the tree chopping action I saw in the video.

I don't want the g10 to slip and slide if we start getting sweaty hands.
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You're going to love it. I've put all my weight into my Waki wihile chopping three super hard 5" thick maples and my Waki is just begging for more. :eek: The edge holds up great as well. I think that the micarta is definitely the way to go for better grip :thumbup:
 
Which handle type does yours have? :)

I figured that while the price tag seems steep, it's no steeper than most well-made similar swords and hardly any of them boast the strength (and the warranty) of the waki.

I'm looking at this as the "last sword I'll ever need to buy" lol.
 
The G-10 you talk about some people do complain about slickness. I have never had this problem, and I have swung machettes,AK-47's, Waki's, and a couple of Paul Chens blades.
IMHO, if I'm going out into the bush I'd take the G-10. Stronger and more durable than Micarta. If I'm doing lite work close to home, I would use my Micarta. Do yourself a favor a get both, then your covered. Now to tell the truth. Either material is exceptional, but if slick bothers you go get your self a pair of neoprene ice fishing gloves and you want have a slip problem. Also even in hot weather you would be surprised at how hot they DON'T get. The gloves will give some impact cushion as well.
 
md02geist said:
Which handle type does yours have? :)

I figured that while the price tag seems steep, it's no steeper than most well-made similar swords and hardly any of them boast the strength (and the warranty) of the waki.

I'm looking at this as the "last sword I'll ever need to buy" lol.
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LOL...I edited my post after you posted your question to talk about handle material. I have the micarta scales and I think that they work great for this blade. In my experience micarta is almost always grippier than g-10
 
Good input. Function is more important to me than looks but when I see that black and tank G10 with the muddy blade I just drool. But really though I'm not going to buy two -- while I wish I could, I'm already needing to dump a little bit of extra stuff just to cover ONE of these bad boys.

I tell myself "well get two and decide which you like better and sell the other" but I KNOW that will turn into "buy two and pretend you're going to sell one and never sell it."

I wish they offered an ivory colored micarta, I wouldn't mind paying a few dollars more for it. Or at least something similar to the black and tan G10.
 
Since you are going to be using the blade it is not going to look pretty forever (although well used knives are the most beautiful to me). Also the coating will eventually wear off, at which point you will be left with a pretty handle. ;) And yes I do agree that the muddy/black and tan is a really nice looking combo...but I didn't order it and I don't regret it.
 
Yeah fair enough. Function vs. aesthetics, and for me function is more important. I'm not going to be using it day in and day out but I'm not going to just hang it on the wall either.


How do you think a tan micarta w/ muddy blade will look? :) :)
 
That is one of the two combos I ordered (the other being sage/black micarta). I think that muddy/tan micarta is a killer combo! :thumbup:
 
Unfortunately I don't. Someone else will have to help you out there. I haven't received my muddy/tan Waki yet. I've owned 2 busse knives in this combo and it is one of my favorites. If you look through some of the threads though there are some pics of Rats in that combo. I think you will like your choice though. Congrats on a fine purchase no matter which combo you ultimately decide on :thumbup: :)
 
That's cool I appreciate it and thank you. :)

I may end up just ordering both and selling whichever one I like least. I'm sure I'll be able to get back what I paid for it.
 
MustardMan said:
On something as ridiculous as a sword, I'm not going to be using it for eight hours at a time,
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Don't worry the Zombies will wait while you take a little nap.

The Micarta is nice and grippy, Im pretty sure I would prefer it over G-10 for this application.
 
Zombies got nothing on me. I'll just paint myself up to look like them, like the man himself B.M.
 
I could only afford one and went with G10. I have posted about my dislike of the slickness of the RMD. The texture of the Waki is different and provides a lot more grip, at least for me. Either way, I would likely put a lanyard on it if I were planning to cut down a thick tree with it, as I would with any knife. Although the micarta is a great material I think that it will wear and show signs of age quicker. I do not like the fuzzy appearance of some micarta after it has been scraped, dropped, gouged etc.
 
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