knife scales; micarta vs wood?

[jonnie drake]

I've only ever handled one knife, which had a burr handle. It was easy to shape and sand, and feels lovely in the hand. I'm in the process of finishing it off with linseed oil, its had a good few coats but still seems quite porous. Im thinking about doing another knife, I like the look of micarta and it looks a more solid material than wood.

I would like to know what the pro's and con's of each material is?

thanks

J

 

[Graham_S]

Micarta doesn't absorb moisture, and is very stable.
It's a very good material for an outdoors knife.

 

[durulz]

Micarta
Pros - it's tough and durable
Cons - it's soulless and makes the user look like a survival 'tacticool' wannabe tool.

Wood
Pros - there are some fantastic looking woods out there. Great variety
easier to work
more in the spirit of things - natural materials and all that
Cons - if it hasn't dried properly before fixing it to the knife it'll shrink and could lift from the scales.

 

[FGYT]

mmm micarta dosnt have to look soulless or tactical

and it does absorb to a small degree

its harder to cut and get a good Finish IMO dust isnt nice either

Wood is cheap and easy to get plus easy to work

ATB

Duncan

 

[marcelxl]

Micarta is stable and can look good too, I have an F1 handled with red and black micarta and it looks the mutts! I know its gonna last and still feels good in the hand.
In my opinion you can't beat the look, feel & character of wood but for me something synthetic edges it for a 4 seasons user.

I am a joiner so I'm OK with wood but I know nothing about how Micarta works though as someone else did this for me

 

[Ph34r]

When I make my knives using wooden scales, the knife seems to be 'real', and for that reason, i am scared to damage it. When I use micarta, i don't feel that the blade could possibly be sold, so i keep it. When I use micarta knives, they feel like a half- knife. I FEEL LIKE DOCTER FRENKENSTEIN.

Ultimately, wood is good for collectors, micarta for outdoorsmen. There is much more to it, and the competition is much closer, but that is keeping it simple.

 

[jonnie drake]

thanks for the input guys. Marc that is a seriously lovely knife! Will have to try and meet up this week.

The price is not an issue for the handle, and to be honest I think treating the wood makes the price more balanced too.

does anyone know hoe well wet and dry will stand up to micarta?

p.s. just seen your post ph thanks

 

[robevs73]

I like both but for a user you dont want to worry about for years, Micarta.

 

[Shinken]

does anyone know hoe well wet and dry will stand up to micarta?

Stands up well, it will just need more elbow grease to get the scratches out

 

[jonnie drake]

thanks guys. I think I will try micarta for my next handle material

 

[ikesdad]

Stabilized wood is another option.
Real wood without the worries of moisture absorption.

My personal rule of thumb is wood for carbon blades, micarta for stainless.

I guess it can be a Ford/Chevy thing.

I just bought some micarta scales for a production blade and am anxious to try them out.
I arrived at this decision after the wife put a rosewood handled kinfe in the dishwasher.
Not a pretty sight.

 

[jonnie drake]

thanks ikesdad useful info, stabilized wood is indeed another option but (even though I said price wasnt an issue) I notice that they are very expensive scales.

 

[ikesdad]

A regular seller on the big auction site has many stabilized wood scales at very reasonable prices.
If that's what you want and he wont ship to the UK, I would be happy to forward.

 

[jonnie drake]

very kind of you do you have a link so I can have a browse?

 

[FGYT]

Leonidas on here does his ow stabalized woods and is now also doing Micarta etc

http://woodandknifesupply.com/index...1_2_21&zenid=04a646f829b09e4de7dbb46b49983467

ATB

Duncan

 

[Gill]

I did,nt realise Leonidas sold these .

 

[jonnie drake]

cheers duncan- how about bone or horn? seen a lovely pair of buffalo horn scales going cheap.

 

[ikesdad]

If you want some elk or deer antler, I can take a look in the backyard to see if I've got anything suitable and not too weathered.