Micarta vs G10 scales

G10 Vs Micarta scale

  • G10

    Votes: 6 40.0%

  • Micarta

    Votes: 9 60.0%
  • Total voters
    15
G

Gideons

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2015
Messages
1,512
Hey BF,

I recently ordered the ZT 0630ORBLK, and I have a feeling I may get tired of those orange scales and thus looking into new (custom) handle scale. I have never had a knife with a micarta scale, so I am wondering what is the pros vs cons of a micarta scale vs g10? I heard you have to maintain them?

-Gideons
 
I've learned micarta is pretty different between companies and depends what type of micarta it is.

They're both very tough but I like the texture of a denim or linen micarta.
 
Both are bulletproof, stable, long lasting materials. If you polish up the micarta it will act very similarly to G10 over its lifetime. If you leave it matte it will have more texture, but darken over time with sweat and water. But its easily remedied with a little soap and water then dry time.

Both materials you could use and abuse for a lifetime without issue.
 
Agree with all above.

G10 is more uniform and slightly more durable and resistive to chemicals.
Micarta can vary depending on manufacturer and the fabric and epoxy used.

G10 has a more modern, techno, sterile look-n-feel.
Micarta can vary widely and can have a more earthy, warm look.

BTW, if you like earthy and warm, consider wood. There are gorgeous exotic woods, like burls and curlys, that G10 and Micarta can't match.
 
The look a little different from each other.

Also, there's different kinds of Micarta, Paper, Linnen or Canvas are the most common ones.

Both excellent materials with the nod in strength going to G10. Glassfibers are just more durable than cotton or linnen or paper.

Both are strong enough to be scales however so that should not be an issue.

In general I prefer the look of micarta. But polished G10 is a beautiful thing.
 
On paper, G10 is the better choice. Chemically inert, incredibly strong, won't absorb anything, etc. From a more personal perspective I prefer rough finished canvas, burlap or denim micarta. It has a warmer feeling in the hand, it's grippy without being at all abrasive, and it seems to get even grippier when wet.
 
I agree, on paper G10 is the winner but in real use Micarta comes out on top. Both of them top my list of favorite handle materials. Wood and FRN tie for third place. Of course wood may get bumped to 1st for certain knives. For me, metal does not normally even come close to making the grade.
 
G10 is more rigid than micarta which I've been told is why most manufacturers use it vs micarta. Personally I think micarta (canvas, and linen types) feels fantastic and "warmer" than G10, I wish more makers would work with it on production folders!

My m4 para2 is wearing some aftermarket scales now, need to find some nicer ones eventually as these are cracking, and lop sided.

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Micarta for me. Completely subjective, but to me it feels a bit warmer and "grippier" in hand.
 
I'm fine with either. With Micarta though I prefer it to be canvas. I also find paper micarta to feel just like G-10. And this goes for fixed blades. I've never had a folder with Micarta that I can recall.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
On paper, G10 is the better choice. Chemically inert, incredibly strong, won't absorb anything, etc. From a more personal perspective I prefer rough finished canvas, burlap or denim micarta. It has a warmer feeling in the hand, it's grippy without being at all abrasive, and it seems to get even grippier when
wet.
Click to expand...

Burlap micarta? Never heard of that. Do you know any production knives that use that material? Sounds very interesting!
 
G10 has the nails on a chalkboard effect on me so I avoid it when possible. Linen micarta is one of my favorites for small fixed blades as it provides plenty of grip when you can't get a full four fingers on the handle.
 
Unless the handle is unlined and you need the strength of G-10, I would choose micarta for feel and aesthetics.
 
Micarta...

Just Feels better without any real sacrifice to grip should that be an issue.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
On paper, G10 is the better choice. Chemically inert, incredibly strong, won't absorb anything, etc. From a more personal perspective I prefer rough finished canvas, burlap or denim micarta. It has a warmer feeling in the hand, it's grippy without being at all abrasive, and it seems to get even grippier when wet.
Click to expand...

This^ is dead on.





I prefer G10 for folders and Canvas Micarta for large fixed blades.

It depends on the company making it, most follow the same general process though.
Micarta is layers of either Paper, Linen, Canvas, Denim, Burlap, etc. soaked in resin and compressed. G10 is layers of fiberglass soaked in resin and compressed.

In my experience G10 feels harder and smoother. Micarta feels grippier. Really depends on how the company textures it. But imagine how fiberglass would feel as compared to canvas grip wise. That said G10 can be made very very aggressive, so aggressive that it will shred your pockets (Benchmade Triage is notorious for this). Seems like if micarta is made in the same way it will loose its aggressiveness a tiny bit quicker since it is a softer material, but already having a "grippier feeling" it doesn't need to be made aggressive like G10 in the first place. White G10 will always look the same as the day you got it while white micarta will usually yellow over time. Micarta usually feels a bit grippier and slightly softer than G10 making it ideal for large fixed blades and survival/outdoor knives. Both are overall amazing.


Here is my old EDC in G10 that I carried everyday for 2 years and abused on a farm.



These are my findings/experience. Hope it helps!
 
Last edited:
G10/wood for food prep work
Micarta for everything else. I prefer micarta (linen, burlap, canvas) when working in wet conditions
 
I am definitely in the micarta camp. There is nothing wrong with G10. It is a great material, but for me micarta has an organic feel that is closer to wood or ivory while still being a material I feel fine about abusing. I find that wood is frequently my top choice, but it is frequently a tossup between wood and micarta for me. Micarta has a lot of the feel in the hand that I like about wood, but with more grip and durability.
 
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