Spyderco Micarta vs G10

[RazorSharp86]

I love Micarta, because it’s porous, and can show “character” as it absorbs oils from your palms, etc.
It is also easy to clean and bring back to “like new” condition.
It is less rigid than G10, however, and generally speaking offers less traction compared to your typical “grippy” G10

I personally prefer G10 for linerless knives, and other uses because it tends to be more durable overall and offer better chemical resistance.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Would micarta hold up on diving knives or corrode in salt water? Randall uses micarta.

[Coastal]

I tend to like Micarta better than G10, just because I consider it a little more special. Knowing how the materials are made and what they're made of I'd say G10 is more damage resistant, though I've never damaged either other than scratches.

If I'm being purely objective, I'd pick FRN over all other handle materials for a hard-use knife, fixed or folder. It's pretty much indestructible. It's more flexible in use than G10, but not in a way that has ever mattered to me, and almost not at all in a linered handle. I'm going to say you could drop an FRN knife onto concrete from any reasonable height, and it would not be damaged in a way that affected a knife's usability or ruined its appearance. FRN isn't special or pretty, but Spyderco has perfected its use as perhaps the best handle material: light, grippy, neither hot nor cold in hand, tough as nails, relatively inexpensive.

[kennethsime]

I enjoy both. I like Micarta better in the winter, and G-10 or FRN better in the summer. All fantastic options.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

What is a good response to someone who told me that by purchasing and using Spyderco and other knives with FRN handles I am guilty of contributing to global plastic waste and destruction of the enviroment? I said plastics can be made safe and toxic free and recyclable. The person told me I should only use knives with wood and natural handle materials.

[riclaw]

What is a good response to someone who told me that by purchasing and using Spyderco and other knives with FRN handles I am guilty of contributing to global plastic waste and destruction of the enviroment? I said plastics can be made safe and toxic free and recyclable. The person told me I should only use knives with wood and natural handle materials.

Knives are durable goods that can last for generations when properly maintained. Stabilized wood requires processing that creates industrial waste. Bone requires something to die. Nothing is perfect.

I'm guessing this person is a 20-something with all life's answers. Sigh. Those were the days.

[Synov]

What is a good response to someone who told me that by purchasing and using Spyderco and other knives with FRN handles I am guilty of contributing to global plastic waste and destruction of the enviroment? I said plastics can be made safe and toxic free and recyclable. The person told me I should only use knives with wood and natural handle materials.

1. FRN is not a single-use plastic that will be thrown away after one use. It is a permanent part of a tool, so it's not contributing to waste.

2. Plastic production is not particularly environmentally destructive. Every material requires energy to extract, transport, process, and manufacture. As long as fossil fuels remain the primary energy source, all materials will cause greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment.

https://news.umich.edu/mythbusting-5-co ... -plastics/

[Fastidiotus]

Personally prefer g10 over micarta. I dislike micarta for the reason most people like it. I don't enjoy the porosity and it's wicking ability. I like my knives to be low maintenance and don't see the appeal in scales absorbing and holding on to whatever is on my hands or gloves. I dont think micarta is bad it's just not for me and the things I'm around.

[VandymanG]

Micarta especially crucarta

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Personally prefer g10 over micarta. I dislike micarta for the reason most people like it. I don't enjoy the porosity and it's wicking ability. I like my knives to be low maintenance and don't see the appeal in scales absorbing and holding on to whatever is on my hands or gloves. I dont think micarta is bad it's just not for me and the things I'm around.

I am glad you mention this. So in a sense G10 is an improvement over micarta.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Related question for you all: can G10 as a handle material be further improved, and if so, what improvements can be made on it, or is it good as is, as long as it is made with quality in mind?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

What is a good response to someone who told me that by purchasing and using Spyderco and other knives with FRN handles I am guilty of contributing to global plastic waste and destruction of the enviroment? I said plastics can be made safe and toxic free and recyclable. The person told me I should only use knives with wood and natural handle materials.

1. FRN is not a single-use plastic that will be thrown away after one use. It is a permanent part of a tool, so it's not contributing to waste.

2. Plastic production is not particularly environmentally destructive. Every material requires energy to extract, transport, process, and manufacture. As long as fossil fuels remain the primary energy source, all materials will cause greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment.

https://news.umich.edu/mythbusting-5-co ... -plastics/

THANK YOU for this. I read that data. Very good.

[Granoo Fink]

I simply just do not like the touch of G10.

[VandymanG]

Personally prefer g10 over micarta. I dislike micarta for the reason most people like it. I don't enjoy the porosity and it's wicking ability. I like my knives to be low maintenance and don't see the appeal in scales absorbing and holding on to whatever is on my hands or gloves. I dont think micarta is bad it's just not for me and the things I'm around.

Good and valid point. My hard working knives or knives that are going to get messy dirty are G10. I do have one Micarta that I will use if it’s going to get wet because it gets grippy instead of slippery but yeah it takes work to clean it up. I never really thought of FRN for wet work but I bet it would be superior. Probably why the Salt series tends to be FRN.

But Crucarta is my go to EDC knife and often jumps ahead of other knives in my EDC rotation.

[kobold]

For linerless folders: G10
For fixed blades: micarta.

But I put wooden scales on everything I can and buy titanium folders right off the bat if they are available.

[Notsurewhy]

Related question for you all: can G10 as a handle material be further improved, and if so, what improvements can be made on it, or is it good as is, as long as it is made with quality in mind?

I believe G11 is similar to G10 but more heat resistant and slightly stronger. Doubt it's noticeable in knife use though. If it were good enough to offset the increased cost, we'd probably see more of it, especially from custom makers.

Also, it's one more G, so it's got that going for it. Which is nice.

[Fastidiotus]

I am glad you mention this. So in a sense G10 is an improvement over micarta.

It's an improvement for me, but it's probably a case of as Sal says "not better but different." I'm glad that Spyderco offers it for those that are fans and If I worked in an office I'd probably enjoy micarta. My work environment involves frequently coming across hazmat chemicals, hydraulic fluid, various oils, grease etc so for me I like a scale that isn't trying to hold on to those things and is easier to clean.

But Crucarta is my go to EDC knife and often jumps ahead of other knives in my EDC rotation.

If I was going to buy a Spyderco for a friend or family member the CruCarta would be the one. I'm glad they're expanding the line up and I'll definitely pick up the Manix and Manix XL in the future. Though to be honest I'll probably swap the blade into my g10 handles to make my idea of the ultimate harder use knife.

[James Y]

I think I have only 2 knives with micarta handles, a '90s-era Spyderco Calypso (with AUS-8 blade), and a Buck folder (a version of the Odyssey). I like micarta, but G10 is my favorite handle material, along with FRN, for a knife.

I would love to see more G10 Salt models, but with the normal G10 texture, especially on the contact point / landing spot for the clip. And I really love Spyderco's linerless G10.

Jim

[chronovore]

G10 is nice but Micarta is a lot more diverse. The feeling of Micarta is controlled both by the type of Micarta and the finish. For instance, many types of Micarta can be either polished smooth or made soft or fuzzy to the touch with blasting. The later can feel wonderful in hand but the more exposed fibers can also feel a little yucky in certain conditions like heavy humidity.

So it depends. For basic EDC, Micarta all the way and different types or textures can be fun. In certain outdoors applications, I prefer a polished Micarta but will often go with G10 for the less porous or more impervious surface.

[Synov]

Antique Westinghouse micarta is both beautiful and is reportedly stronger than modern micarta. I prefer it to G10. It would be a great material for an anniversary Spyderco, if enough of it could be sourced.