Wood vs. Micarta: What's your preference?

J

jmflem

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Feb 1, 2014
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I really want to get a Becker BK16 in the near future, and I would want to replace the handles: either with KA-BAR micarta or some nice wood scales from tmil2009 on eBay. I've never had experience with micarta before, but I think I'd like micarta because of the nice texture and grip. But I would also like the wood because of the very nice natural look/feel. I would give the knife a leather sheath also, which I think the wood would complement better than the micarta. I'm kind of torn between the two: practicality, or aesthetics. So which do you prefer?
 
I prefer Micarta over wood, just one less thing to worry about giving you issues. I also tend to prefer Micarta over G10 since it is more naturally grippy.

TheJeepster said:
I like wood better as micarta will soak up blood and when the blood rots your handles stink. I wish somebody would start making these handles in G10 as I like G10. My Boker Plus Vox Rold has scales made of G10 and I like them, a lot.
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Micarta can be washed, blood can only soak in to the very top layer so a wash with some dish soap would take it right out.
 
I opt for natural handle materials over synthetics when I can.

I even prefer natural wood over stabilized wood.



Big Mike
 
Sonnydaze said:
For pretty, it's wood. To last the rough stuff...micarta.
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This ^

Although I do find micarta and G10 attractive too, just not quite as organic beautiful, which means no unique areas that have special patterns or faded color variations. The variability creates interest.
 
Sonnydaze said:
For pretty, it's wood. To last the rough stuff...micarta.
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can't argue with that. wood can be beautiful... but so can a knife that makes it back after a bunch of rough trips with only nicks and dings.

Preferrence: Canvas Micarta... lots of personality and plenty of grip. G10 just feels dead to me
 
Canvas Micarta FTW, looks and feels great. Its the best material for working knives, IMHO.
 
rustyrazor said:
can't argue with that. wood can be beautiful... but so can a knife that makes it back after a bunch of rough trips with only nicks and dings.

Preferrence: Canvas Micarta... lots of personality and plenty of grip. G10 just feels dead to me
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Try sandblasted G10. I did that on a small slicer it feels brilliant. I used beeswax to finish after sandblasting, but other things should work too.
 
Generally, micarta is tougher and has a little more grippiness than most of the wood handles that I have used. Unfortunatly it starts looking pretty grody after a while. Upside is that you can wash the scales and get them to look like new.

The problem with wood is that it can either be just as grippy or slicker than snot. Either way, it looks good good. Upkeep really isn't much of a issue if take time to take a little care of your wood, beeswax or tung oil should do just fine.
 
If it's going to be a serious outdoors user (as opposed to a light utility/bushcraft or show piece), I strongly prefer micarta. Wood handles are a lot more attractive, but I prefer the grip and durability of micarta. If it's something I'm going to be batonning logs and chopping with, the last thing I want to worry about is messing up my pretty wood handles. But I'm OCD about that sort of thing, so YMMV.

For a BK16, I'd stick with micarta. Wood handles look a lot better with a nice shiny satin or polished blade, IMO. If you want wood and leather, look into Helle knives.
 
Depends on the knife

If it's something like a light EDC or gentleman's folder, I'd prefer wood. But if it's something like a camp knife or anything that would be used harder I'd prefer micarta

EDIT: Basically what amg137 said
 
I would go wood/leather any time I have a choice.

So it gets dinged up. So will the micarta. Difference is, the wood will mold to your hand, mellow and look better with age and character. The micarta will just get old and stinky.
 
Micarta! Or better yet G10. TKC makes G10 scales for most if not all the BK line; also for Esee as well!

TheJeepster said:
I like wood better as micarta will soak up blood and when the blood rots your handles stink. I wish somebody would start making these handles in G10 as I like G10. My Boker Plus Vox Rold has scales made of G10 and I like them, a lot.
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Somebody does, The knife Connection! Also, Micarta won't suck anything up that can't be cleaned out, like lost Cosmonaut said.
 
Micarta.

Wood changes. Gets scratched, dented, absorbs water, cracks, rots, fades, warps, splits, etc. Micarta will still be micarta 100 years from now. IMO it's the perfect handle material. I like G10 too, but I like micarta better.

I really dig canvas micarta with a bunch of contours to it so all those beautiful layers show up!
 
And, yes micarta can be easily cleaned with dawn dish soap and a rag. Blood? Wash it off. Hand oil? Wash it off. Sweat, tears, the entrails of your fallen enemies? Wash it off. It'll be fine. It's still micarta.
 
Wood. I understand it's higher maintenance but nothing beats a nice burl.

20131102_150821_zps3293dcce.jpg


H/T coiledwire for his far superior pic of our respective sketchen-enhanced Dominos.
 
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