Why absorbent handles?

riversidedep

riversidedep

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I just recently purchased my first RAT knives. I've been looking at them for many years, actually, since around the mid to late nineties I think, and finally decided to get a few. I have a need for some real work horses, and they seemed to fit the bill. I got an orange G10 RC-4, a green micarta RC-6, a HEST (also micarta), and an Izula (what can i say, I like variety). I'm very, very pleased with all four. However, I do have one complaint. Why on earth does RAT use such absorbent micarta handle material? I used my RC-6 to cut up a bunch of old carpet I pulled out of my house, and in the process I got rather sweaty. Needless to say, sweat from my hand got on my the knife, absorbed into the handle, and discolored the micarta. No big deal, I thought, I'll just wash it off. Well, of course, the handles then absorbed a bunch of water. Being concerned about the wet handles causing rust on the metal, I decided to put a little 3 in 1 oil on the knife, including on the screws for the handle slabs. Well, the result was some of the oil also absorbed into the grip, and I had black rings around the screws! Heck with it, I said, I'll cover the whole handle with oil so it will match! Now my green micarta handles are black.

Now, this is not a huge deal, but I don't get it. I have a number of micarta handled knives, including Dozier and Polkowski customs, and the handles on them don't act like a roll of paper towels, as they do on the RATs. I can only imagine the mess they would be if I used one to process a game animal and they soaked up a bunch of blood. I'm not sure I could get it washed out enough to make the knife sanitary again for food preparation or some other chore which might require some measure of cleanliness. Anyone else have an opinion on this? I really like the G10 on my RC-4, and I find myself wishing all my RATs had G10 handles.
 
when they get blood/sweat/whatever on them, you can wash 'em with hot water and dish soap. once they dry, they should return to the original color.
 
Mine get dirty from sweat and mud. Can't say I really bother cleaning them, other than wearing them in the rain :). I wouldn't worry about rust under the grips. The powder coat is way too thick. If you're concerned about the serial number rusting under there, you can wax or gunblue it.
 
i like absorbent slabs as i tend to sweat easily, the more the handle soaks up the less slippery the knife gets in my hand
 
riversidedep said:
Anyone else have an opinion on this? I really like the G10 on my RC-4, and I find myself wishing all my RATs had G10 handles.
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Lucky for you, and me...the handles are detachable...so you can make your own scales of whatever material you prefer. I've done that to my 3 and 4, since I never have liked that screwed on look.
 
I love G10, but sometimes when it gets wet its kind of slick.

The micarta grips and less slick when they are wet.
 
Just wash it from time to time and go on......I let mine get really dark before I wash it... almost every knife maker out there uses Micarta handles in some form...not as big of an issue as you think...
 
Only the outer layer is absorbent. Just wash it and let it dry. If you don't remove the coating there is no concern with rust under the scales. Wash, dry, oil the edge.
 
There is something wrong with your knives. I think you should just mail them to me so they don't bother you anymore.
 
doesnt bother me too much, but I'd have to agree that gutting a deer might make those slabs stink a bit, I think a little more than soap might be needed.
 
Mine were soaked with potato chip grease since I don't like going outsite and getting sweaty and dirty. :D

Just washing them with soap and water from time to time does take care of it.

I've chopped onions with my 6 a few times and they smelled like onions for a bit, but don't any more. A good wash and they're good to go.
 
Only the outermost layer of Micarta will have exposed fibers, the rest are completely sealed and ultimately the handle should be impervious to oil, blood, etc. However, if you want to reseal the outside (at the expense of grip), you can do it by brushing a thin coat of epoxy over the handle. I prefer the grip, personally, and I don't mind washing my handles every once in a while.
 
It's kind of like the black belts of years ago. everyone started out with a white belt and over the years of training and the belt getting wet with sweat, blood and dirt it turned darker and eventually to black.

well, your knives (ESEE) are sort of on the same principle, the longer, harder and more experienced you get with the knife the dirtier the handle. thus demonstrating your vast knowledge and experience with a blade.

Sounds like BS? I know, it sounded good to me in my head like everything else I think until I write it out or say it. LOL... :D
 
I was mostly concerned about the handle screws rusting from the moisture, as they appear to only be blued, whereas the blade and tang are coated. I thought about taking the scales off and washing them, but I was concerned the screws might have locktite on them from the factory, or the scales might be epoxied on, and I didn't want to break the "factory seal," so to speak. Call me fussy, but I didn't want to ding up the screw heads either. As I said in my OP, I have many micarta-handled knives (Randals, Doziers, Polkowski, Martin, Tom Krein K9, Dawson, Montrocs,.....just off the top of my head). But all feel hard, not soft and spongy like the RATs. Like I said, its not a real big deal. I'll just make sure I wash the handles if they get nasty, and limit food preparation to the RC-4 only since it has G10 handles. I did buy the RATs to use. Most of my other fixed blade knives are expensive (to me) safe queens.

My main point with this post was to see if anyone else has seen "spongy" micarta like this. Or if anyone had an opinion, or even some good information, on why RAT would go with handles like this on their knives. The absorption quality of these handles caught me by surprise, and it just seems a strange choice.
 
riversidedep said:
I was mostly concerned about the handle screws rusting from the moisture, as they appear to only be blued, whereas the blade and tang are coated. I thought about taking the scales off and washing them, but I was concerned the screws might have locktite on them from the factory, or the scales might be epoxied on, and I didn't want to break the "factory seal," so to speak. Call me fussy, but I didn't want to ding up the screw heads either. As I said in my OP, I have many micarta-handled knives (Randals, Doziers, Polkowski, Martin, Tom Krein K9, Dawson, Montrocs,.....just off the top of my head). But all feel hard, not soft and spongy like the RATs. Like I said, its not a real big deal. I'll just make sure I wash the handles if they get nasty, and limit food preparation to the RC-4 only since it has G10 handles. I did buy the RATs to use. Most of my other fixed blade knives are expensive (to me) safe queens.

My main point with this post was to see if anyone else has seen "spongy" micarta like this. Or if anyone had an opinion, or even some good information, on why RAT would go with handles like this on their knives. The absorption quality of these handles caught me by surprise, and it just seems a strange choice.
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The micarta used on the ESEE knives is pretty much the same as that on alot of production knives. I'm guessing that alot of your other knives have a higher polish to the micarta where the ESEE blades have a rougher texture.

The micarta was chosen due to its resistance to solvents, chemicals, impact and the like while maintaining a good texture for grip.

The handles aren't really absorbent per se, just that the fine ends of the fabric that the micarta is made from fray a bit at the ends. That little bit of fabric will retain oils and fluids but beyond that surface level nothing absorbs.

Sounds like you have some high end knives there my friend, take these ESEE blades out and get them filthy. They are made to be rode hard and put away dirty.;)
 
dcycleman said:
doesnt bother me too much, but I'd have to agree that gutting a deer might make those slabs stink a bit, I think a little more than soap might be needed.
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It's actually not too bad - I used my RC-3 MIL with the canvas micarta (which I would say is even more absorbent than the usual linen micarta) to field dress about 12 wallabies on the weekend. Sure it was pretty messy at the time but i just rinsed it in a water trough to get the excess blood off that night, then when I got home I washed it with a brush and dish detergent and it came out looking brand new. Plus us you were really worried you could take the scales off for a real good clean. I will do this after the next hunting trip as I noticed a little bit of the blood discolouration stuch where the handles met the steel. Oh - and the stink went after I washed it too!
 
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