what is all the hype about micarta?

[gazz98]

I like micarta. A variety of colors and textures available. They can age differently. I wish more companies used micarta.

 

[nattynarwhal]

Key to appreciating micarta is understanding the different types.

Paper micarta
Linen micarta
Canvas micarta

Edited to add: Burlap and denim are also options.

I’ve been told paper micarta is junky.. so I’ll comment on linen and canvas.

Linen seems to have a softer feel, but color doesn’t seem to permeate the material as uniformly as with canvas.

I prefer canvas micarta. A little stiffer touch, but color is solid and consistent.

Micarta maintains great traction even when wet, but also has a character of its own that shows over time from use due to things like the oils in your skin and hands.

I have a custom knife in butterscotch paper Micarta. I love the feel and texture, but I have heard that it's less tough than either canvas or linen Micarta. Not a big issue for me since I don't baton knives, but something to keep in mind

 

[brancron]

Micarata is been around for a LONG TIME. It is nothing new.

My favorite is the black polished micarta on some of the the early 90's Spydercos that I own, like the Calypso. I also own knives with canvas/linen micarata scales but they aren't nearly as attractive or elegant.

That Calypso is a beauty! One of my Spyderco grails.

 

[3fifty7]

The more photos the better.
Here are 2 Mules in MagnaCut that I made scales for out of crosscut canvas micarta from Pops. Its buffed slick yet grippy at the same time.

It’s my second sheath and I’m convinced I do every step of leather work wrong.

 

[19-3ben]

Edited to add: Burlap and denim are also options.

I do wish we saw more denim micarta. The aesthetics are really fun.

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

This thread needs pics.

Very true. I see you’ve being using suingab’s services too.

 

[dannyp]

If it's too course you can polish the micarta. Burlap will not take buffing as well as linen or paper, but still doable.

That's interesting. I figured it would be just the opposite since there is more resin and less material in the burlap

 

[POCEH KOCEB]

Coincidentally, G-10 is similar to Micarta except that the embedded "fabric" is fiberglass. It is generally stronger than Micarta but really, any situation severe enough to test the strength between G-10 and Micarta on your knife is probably not something you should be doing with a knife in the first place

I’m not completely sure if there is any fiberglass in G10, but I could be wrong.
One thing that I know from personal experience is - I find G10 more brittle than any Micarta, especially winter time or in any low temperatures. Broke few scales just by accidentally dropping the knives on concrete.

This is a custom fixed blade, gift for me from a good friend of mine.
‘Obviously he went with the blade after Fred Perrins PPT…
‘I was told the handle is black, polished Micarta. I love it as looks and feels. Some certain CF and polished Micarta would be my choice.

 

[Chronovore]

I’m not completely sure if there is any fiberglass in G10, but I could be wrong.
One thing that I know from personal experience is - I find G10 more brittle than any Micarta, especially winter time or in any low temperatures. Broke few scales just by accidentally dropping the knives on concrete.

This is a custom fixed blade, gift for me from a good friend of mine.
‘Obviously he went with the blade after Fred Perrins PPT…
‘I was told the handle is black, polished Micarta. I love it as looks and feels. Some certain CF and polished Micarta would be my choice.

Nice knife.

As Wikipedia defines it: "G-10 is a high-pressure fiberglass laminate, a type of composite material. It is created by stacking multiple layers of glass cloth, soaked in epoxy resin, and by compressing the resulting material under heat until the epoxy cures."

 

[Skar]

I maybe alone here, I don't really like micarta.
I prefer wood or g10 myself.

Micarta feels to weak In my hand, I don't appreciate it as much as I thought it would.
Looks great in pictures.

 

[Chronovore]

I maybe alone here, I don't really like micarta.
I prefer wood or g10 myself.

Micarta feels to weak In my hand, I don't appreciate it as much as I thought it would.
Looks great in pictures.

The question is just how much Micarta you've handled. A main bullet point here is that there are lots of kinds and it can present differently.

 

[jfk1110]

Here's bunch of micarta to look at..As you'll see OD green canvas is my favorite by far!!!!!

Mad for Micarta Picture Thread

www.bladeforums.com

 

[MolokaiRider]

That's interesting. I figured it would be just the opposite since there is more resin and less material in the burlap

I could be wrong. I read that from what I read from Bill DeShivs comments a few years back.

Maybe the course grain of burlap is a factor?

 

[CWL]

Did you lick it?
It tastes like bacon!

 

[KenHash]

Micarta has been widely used as knife handle material since the 1950s.
Kinda late to be asking what the hype is all about in 2022. That's what? 70 years?

 

[luethge]

Micarta is one of the best things that ever happened. Especially green micarta, and Westinghouse micarta, and snakeskin micarta, and burlap micarta, double red, double black, denim, coconut, linen, canvas, fire dog.. I love micarta.

Here’s a bunch of random crappy pics of knife handles.

 

[jdmvette]

Great stuff!

 

[Murdamook]

If it was the crucarta PM2, I’m literally floored you didn’t like it. The crucarta micarta is so impressive. I love the almost velvet feeling of the surface. It’s so warm and comforting.

 

[Henry Beige]

The short answer, already mentioned: there is no hype. The OPs question is a troll.

 

[Hyesouljah]

I agree with others in that you have to use it and spend time with Micarta to really appreciate it. It’s a cloth like material that Patina’s but you can always clean it and have it look new again or event wipe some mineral oil on it and give it a different look