Why the green liner?

T

TAGannon

Joined
Oct 14, 2009
Messages
1,377
After reading about one members handle disintegrating after being soaked in water, and another warning not to soak the handles too long if you are using RIT to dye then, I began to wonder the reasoning behind the liner. If it is a weakness in the overall makeup of the knife, then why have it. How about just getting Micarta that is the thickness of the combined thickness of the existing handle.

I like the look of the handle, but, would be just as happy with a solid color rather than that fancy schmancy pin stripe.
 
I don't know about the disintegration issue, but there is a thread in the ESEE FAQ's sticky that explains the liner if you haven't read it already. Hope that helps. Not sure they'd get the fit and finish they get now without the liner. (That's what the thread says to me anyhow)
 
I believe it's there to help prevent rust from forming on the knife tang that is under the handle. It helps keep water out because the micarta handle slabs are very absorbent.

If you compare the micarta handled knives with ones using G10 you'll notice there are no liners on the G10 handled knives.
 
I think they mentioned a while back that the liner was there to allow a smooth transition between the micarta and the tang. Since the micarta is made of fibers, having a 90 degree angle up against just the metal (not adhered to it) would allow the micarta to "fray" or "splinter". Having the spacer adhered to the micarta prevents this from happening.
 
If you have ever taken the handles off an ESEE, you will see that there are no exposed metal parts. It all has that bullet proof coating, so, water should not be an issue. I'm also sure if you were to put a G-10 handled ESEE in a glass of water for awhile, then remove it, dry it, and then remove the handle slabs, you would find that water has migrated inside. Again, that should not be an issue with the coating. And further more, (no I'm not a lawyer) if the liner was meant for moisture issues, then, why is it not on the MIL versions or on the ESEE 5 or 6?
 
No liners on the canvas micarta handles. Not that I can tell. And certainly not on the ones for the HEST or Izula. But there doesn't appear to be any liners on the canvas micarta of either of my 3MIL's, or DT -4 (I've not removed those). OH, and I think I'm the one that soaked the liners off my scales. Dum*** that I am.....
 
:confused: Which one's do have the liners??

I got a ESEE 4 the other day with Micarta slabs, no liners. I thought all the Micarta slab knives had liners. :confused:

Anybody know?

Just curious.... no complaints. :) ;)
 
Ok, here is a link to the thread in the FAQ Sticky and the reply from RAT/Jeff straight from ROWEN.
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http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526450

Post #7
R.A.T. said:
Ok guys, I told you wrong. Rowen Manufacturing read this post and emailed me this:

"The only functional purpose they serve from a mechanical standpoint is to give a SHARPER transition point from the handle to the blade. The bare micarta edge tends to fray slightly when there is a 90 degree transition (i.e. from the rounded portion of the handle to the back of the handle). The liner supports the sharp edge of the micarta so that it cant fray while being machined. The liner doesn't however help with making the fit better in the event the handle is a few thousandths off. Actually if the handle is a few thousandths off the liner makes the feel MUCH MUCH worse because the edge is sharp instead of feathered or frayed. The handles have to be machined to a much closer tolerance with the liners to feel good."

So, there you have it. Straight from the manufacturer. My apologies for giving you bad information.

As for other liner colors, that may be a possibility down the road.

Jeff
Click to expand...
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That is all I know.... :D

As to why my newly acquired ESEE-4 with Canvas Micarta scales has no liners, I have not a clue???

But I would like to know what the latest is on this from ESEE. The thread & post above, from the FAQ Sticky is a couple of years old. :)

No complaints, just curious if they were left off by mistake or on purpose.

Thanks in advance......... :)
 
KNIFEABILITY said:
I love the way the green liners look. They make it look like a really high end knife for some reason.
Click to expand...

I think black or red liners would look real nice. Regardless of the color of the liners I think we can all agree that the ESEE line-up is top notch and to me perfect in every way.
 
Here's my question though. Any linen or canvas micarta can be cleaned up with a little soap and water. At times, I might want to clean mine up. Are the liners water resistant? Or does some caution need to be taken with them?
 
Magus said:
Here's my question though. Any linen or canvas micarta can be cleaned up with a little soap and water. At times, I might want to clean mine up. Are the liners water resistant? Or does some caution need to be taken with them?
Click to expand...

Liquid has not affected my liners at all, wash away!
 
Magus said:
Here's my question though. Any linen or canvas micarta can be cleaned up with a little soap and water. At times, I might want to clean mine up. Are the liners water resistant? Or does some caution need to be taken with them?
Click to expand...

Based on my experience, it takes more than soap and water. Soaking them too long will cause them to absorb water and be a problem. But when I say too long, I mean like 24+ hours. I had put mine in some to clean them up, so to speak, and got distracted and left them.

Incidentally, it didn't affect the micarta at all. Just the liners.

You'll be fine as long as you're not ... foolish. Like me.
 
seems the canvas doesn't need as much support as the linen, if i remember correctly, that's why the canvas scales don't have liners.
 
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