What's the history of G10 and Marcarta?

fulloflead · Oct 21, 2003

I love G10 handles on my folders and Marcarta on my fixed-blade knives.

Who the heck came up with these handle materials to begin with?
Where did they begin? They probably weren't originally made for knives were they?
How, EXACTLY, are they made anyway?

Somebody, please, give me (and the rest of the readers) a history of G10 and Micarta and a run-down of how they're made.

Please?

Ilovetoolsteel · Oct 21, 2003

Originally posted by fulloflead
I love G10 handles on my folders and Marcarta on my fixed-blade knives.

Who the heck came up with these handle materials to begin with?
Where did they begin? They probably weren't originally made for knives were they?
How, EXACTLY, are they made anyway?

Somebody, please, give me (and the rest of the readers) a history of G10 and Micarta and a run-down of how they're made.

Please?

I think General electric came up with G10 originally. Westinghouse originaly devloped Micarta. Both were intended for use as electrical insulators. If you look at the guts of a radio from the 50's or 60's you will see the circut board is made of tan micarta. Micarta came out in between the first and second world wars. Not sure about G10, It probably came out in the late 70's

Micarta's insulating propertys are pretty impressive. .005 of an inch will safely insulate up to 660 volts.

Drew

fulloflead · Oct 21, 2003

Originally posted by Ilovetoolsteel
I think General electric came up with G10 originally. Westinghouse originaly devloped Micarta. Both were intended for use as electrical insulators. If you look at the guts of a radio from the 50's or 60's you will see the circut board is made of tan micarta. Micarta came out in between the first and second world wars. Not sure about G10, It probably came out in the late 70's

Cool. I had no idea it was that old. I have taken old radios apart but never made the connection.

Originally posted by Ilovetoolsteel

Micarta's insulating propertys are pretty impressive. .005 of an inch will safely insulate up to 660 volts.

But not if it's an exposed-tang knife.

Ouch!