what is all the hype about micarta?

I usually go for natural handle materials, especially stag and bone. I collect stainless GECs, though, so when I saw a 42 in maroon linen micarta on the exchange, I decided to give it a go and bought the knife (which lost the fob minutes after the photo).

gec42missouri_trader small.jpg

It looked, and felt, way better than I anticipated and shortly thereafter I commissioned Charlie Bell to make me a sowbelly in vintage black paper (which, by the way, is definitely not junk).

sowbelly1.jpeg

I was so smitten with that knife that I asked Charlie to make me a wharncliffe swayback (lightweight, with G10 liners) in the same black paper.

swayback_open.jpeg

Then there was a Bell Zulu in canvas on the exchange...

zulu_halfstop.JPG

...and a sowbelly in crosscut (also from the exchange).

sowbell_half.jpeg

When the 862ABs came out, I went to great lengths to get both micarta versions (center and right). The OD canvas was particularly hard to track down.

862ab_all.jpg

There are a few others as well. I still prefer stag or bone, but I have very much come to appreciate some nice micarta. Paper and linen especially.

[EDIT TO ADD: And I have seen some absolutely stunning vintage rag. I will definitely add one of those when the opportunity arises.]
 
Jersey Drew said:
Troll. I am new to the collecting hobby and have heard a lot about the micarta lately and decided to try it. I didn’t like it. If that makes me a “troll” maybe this isn't the community i should be in and should look elsewhere to talk about this new hobby.
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Yeah, definitely don't take stuff personally here. I've been on Blade Forums for a few years and I still get insulted or offended from time to time. The overwhelming majority of members here are great, friendly, and knowledgeable people.

BTW, here is a picture I took the other day of my limited Kizer Gemini in brown Micarta. It has more resin-like character and a smoother feel. Contrast that with the second picture of my Sencut Neches. It has a more fabric-like character and a much fuzzier feel.

K0kJMoV.jpg



DJ11Jkt.jpg
 
I wonder if this was how Westinghouse and Baekeland got the idea for Micarta:

"You got your cloth in my Bakelite!"


Just like anything else, you can't please everyone, and that's fine. If you don't care for Micarta, then you don't (though I too would suggest trying multiple versions and finishes, as I think you'll find something you like). I love Micarta in all its forms. It's in my top 3 scale/handle materials, along with stag and various woods. :thumbsup:
 
Hey check my user name!
I like the look of polished paper or linen micarta on some knives. I like good ironwood, stabilized spalted wood or various bone materials on custom knives, but micarta gives another good option. For knives to be used in a variety of conditions I like bead blasted linen or canvas micarta. Burlap micarta is a bit too ragged for me though.
 
Chronovore said:
Yeah, definitely don't take stuff personally here. I've been on Blade Forums for a few years and I still get insulted or offended from time to time. The overwhelming majority of members here are great, friendly, and knowledgeable people.

BTW, here is a picture I took the other day of my limited Kizer Gemini in brown Micarta. It has more resin-like character and a smoother feel. Contrast that with the second picture of my Sencut Neches. It has a more fabric-like character and a much fuzzier feel.

K0kJMoV.jpg



DJ11Jkt.jpg
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What's in the cup? Looks like a rice drink my wife makes.
 
scarysamcary said:
This is what I thought for a long time and it kept me from using anything but exotic hardwoods in my handles, but once I got a hold of some really nice Micarta, I fell in love. Now most of the knives I buy have Micarta scales and I intend on using a denim micarta on some of the knives I make (If I can find some for a good deal)
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I have one denim micarta knife, the framelock Feist, and it's really cool! I didn't realize denim would have such a specific texture to it, more tactile than paper but finer feeling than canvas, different from linen though.
 
NG VI said:
I have one denim micarta knife, the framelock Feist, and it's really cool! I didn't realize denim would have such a specific texture to it, more tactile than paper but finer feeling than canvas, different from linen though.
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I’ve found denim to be substantially more tactile than canvas. Now I’ve only bought some from two different sellers on ETSY and their products felt s little substandard. I don’t know a major produces of denim micarta.
 
so as a replacement i just ordered a para 3 with g-10. i know i like g 10 as my other spydie has it and i feel like the blade to handle proportions seem better on the para 3 vs the pm2. hopefully the new one is a keeper.
 
luethge said:
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.

View attachment 1761066View attachment 1761067View attachment 1761068View attachment 1761069View attachment 1761070
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I wish I was your neighbor so I could drink your beer, and play with your knives......haha

What is the first pic, first knife?
and, third pic third knife?

:D Thanks!
 
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