Why G-10 as opposed to micarta?

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Why does Strider prefer G-10 to micarta? Is it lighter? Is it stronger? Just curious, because I think I recall that their website indicates that they do offer their blades with micarta handles. But I've never seen it yet.
 
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I cannot answer for Mick and Duane. But I can tell you that G-10 has a greater tensile strength (I think it is that feature) than micarta. It may be because fo that, or perhaps availability or some oither features that Strider Knives chose g-10, I'm not sure.

I am really interested in hearing the answer too. For my uses, Micarta is PLENTY strong enough! Anything I'd be doing that would damage a micarta handle would brobably be damaging the blade somehow as well. But maybe with the tasks intended for Strider knives, G-10 is functionally superioir.

Hmm... now you have me thinking!
 
If your knife is being stressed to the point that you'll need the extra tensile strength of G-10, you're in more trouble than a knife will get you out of.
 
G10 does not soak up solvents such as gasoline, micarta does.

Micarta can be distorted by heat more easily (the heat that distorts it would burn us too, but think sterilizing it in a pan over a fire and the knife is resting on pan bottom in the water)

I do believe it to be lighter, though I am not sure.
 
I could be wrong, but I have always been under the impression that Micarta has a significantly higher strength/weight ratio than G-10.

I have seen Micarta used to make aircraft props and heavy duty structural members in industrial machinery. G-10 is used in computers. Which do you think has to be stronger?

However, both are strong enough that it probably doesn't matter in this application. You would have a hard time breaking either material without mechanical assistance.

I think the main advantage G-10 has over Micarta is that the rough textured surface is more "gripable" and secure than smoother Micarta. I didn't know Micarta will absorb solvents, but thats a good thing not to have to worry about.
 
I've talked to Duane about this, since I use Micarta exclusively. Strength is not an issue in these applications. I doubt you could break either with normal forces. Duane told me that Micarta is subject to attack my gasoline and/or aviation fuel, meaning the phenolic will dissolve. As for grippiness, I prefer canvas micarta for grip, but everyone has their own take on that. Since Strider takes an absolutely no compromise approach to things, they chose G-10. Hard to argue with.
 
Many good and true comments made here.
And thanks to all for participating.

RE: strength, both are strong as hell. G10 has many applications including the cargo bay floor of the Space Shuttle and the walls of the atomic supercollider. How do I know this? It's in the spec sheet from the maker! Point being, I don't believe there is any strength advantage either way that will ever be realized as a knife handle.

RE: adhesion, without some texture built into G10, micarta wins.

RE: heat, G10 wins but only at a temperature that is not relevant to knife useage.

RE: fire, here is our area of concern. We use G10 over micarta based largely on this reason; FR4 is G10 with a bromide attached for flame retardance. This coupled with glass epoxy substrates inability to absorb liquids even including avgas and other HIGHLY flammable liquids swings us to this side.

There is no right and wrong here, just statistics, opinions and applications.

All the best,
Duane
 
Duane,
On the issue of G10 not absorbing highly flamable liquids, wouldn't the paracord wrapped handles be bad in that respect?
 
Thanks, Mr. Dwyer. I've wondered about this for a while, but it makes sense now.
 
Paracord would take in fuels, but you can replace it easily, or removed and cleaned. But if you have a custom molded, sized and textured grip, and it is not resistant to fuels, then you would have a expensive replacement if exposed. I think a lot of Strider's customer base have a high probability to fuel exposure(Military, Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue). As for paracord, it can be very durable, and useful if removed when needed in the field. Just my opinion on the subject. Reagan
 
Cliff Stamp did an over night soak in gas with the macarta grips and then lite them the next morning....

The fuel burned off with no damage to the macarta.
There appeared to be no soak in damage.


That being said, I had a talk with a guy at Blade about heat and macarta.

after a couple of hours at 275* in the oven the macarta did get soft and flexable.
After they cooled off the were fine again.
It was only while at 275* they felt spongie.

Bottom line.....I'm not going to worry about either one failing me, both are great materials.
( I have no idea about AV Diesel)
 
Harry Dog,
Absolutely correct. Cord soaks up fuel like a sponge. The thing is, when all things are combined, we feel the plus's of the cord outweigh the minus's.
1whobuys,
Nice meeting you at the show. Hope to talk to you more.
I'm not aware of what cliff did, but I have soaked both in Gasoline, AV Gas, MEK, Acetone, Thinner, Tolulene, Deisel fuel and Kerosine(Jet fuel). (as well as a host of acid compounds) I have results from insignificant to GREATLY significant varying with duration of soaking, and with surface condition of the micarta. Smooth finished linen for example did very well and acted as you say. Rough textured canvas (which I like the most) did not. Our original point is not just the flame issue it is the exposure durability. We are simply more confident in the results we get from G10.
All in all, I agree that both are exceptional materials.
All the best,
Duane Dwyer
 
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