Where is the micarta?

[ebidis]

I was just wondering why there are not more folders made with micarta scales. I love ti, but aluminum is meh, and don't care for steel handles at all. G10 is a great material, durable and not too expensive, but it seems like it's used on 99% of the folders made. It's been done to death. I like carbon fiber, but it seems kind of pricey, and can be too slick.

Micarta IMO feels great, not too expensive, can be rough or smooth finished, and is grippy without having the texture of sand paper. Even when wet. Plus I think it looks fantastic after it absorbs some skin oils, and gets that kind of dark, slick look, but it still remains grippy.

There are tons of fixed blades that use micarta, but it seems like with folders, I mostly see it on customs, or pimped knives. So why don't more manufacturers release models with micarta scales?

 

[The Aflac Duck]

I see it mostly on traditionals or fixed blades. Occasionally there are other folders with it, but it is uncommon.

 

[The Aflac Duck]

Here's one that comes to mind. Pretty cool knife, I don't use it often though... It's an Enzo Borka.

 

[ebidis]

Here's one that comes to mind. Pretty cool knife, I don't use it often though... It's an Enzo Borka.

That is a cool freakin' knife bro.

 

[Hiro-kun]

Gerber has a new production folder coming out with Micarta handles and an S30V blade.

 

[Lycosa]

I like Micarta bit G10 is more rigid.

 

[ebidis]

Gerber has a new production folder coming out with Micarta handles and an S30V blade.

Not trying to be a snob, but my past experience with Gerber is less than phenomenal.

 

[fsatsil]

Here's one that comes to mind. Pretty cool knife, I don't use it often though... It's an Enzo Borka.

The micarta handles look great on that knife, makes me wish I could have gotten micarta handles on my EnZO Birk 75!

 

[Hiro-kun]

Not trying to be a snob, but my past experience with Gerber is less than phenomenal.

Is your experience primarily with their Chinese-made products?

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Micarta is my favorite handle material, bar none. It seems like the Italian knife companies use it on folders a bit more often than other manufacturers, but I'm not sure why.

 

[ebidis]

Is your experience primarily with their Chinese-made products?

To be fair, yes.

 

[subdude]

Here is one with micarta scales

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[ebidis]

Here is one with micarta scales

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What knife is that?

 

[brancron]

Micarta is a wonderful material, there should definitely be more of it used. I'm frankly tired of titanium everything.

 

[bdmicarta]

I like Micarta bit G10 is more rigid.

Yes functionally G10 is a better material.
I like polished Micarta but I like the polished G10 on a knife like the Vallotton nearly as much. I don't worry about the difference.
I don't care about Micarta vs. G10 but I would like to see more knives with polished/contoured G10. Most of the knives in my EDC rotation are Spyderco, but of the 4 knives that aren't, 3 of them have contoured/polished G10.

 

[subdude]

What knife is that?

It's a RUI 10901. Sold and marketed by a Spanish company but most certainly Chinese made.

 

[ebidis]

I like Micarta bit G10 is more rigid.

Shouldn't matter on a knife with liners. Like an Emerson.