Micarta or walnut?

[Wildgoose]

Evening all, happy new year,

I’m on the verge of buying a TBS Sabretooth but cannot decide between the walnut or the Micarta scales.

The walnut scales would need a light oil every now and again, but other than that is there much difference?

Anyone got any strong opinions on which is better?

I can’t buy both.

Thanks

 

[demographic]

My heart says Walnut but my head says micarta.
Toss a coin, if it lands wrong you'll want to go for a 'best out of three' instead and that usually tells you what you really wanted in the first place.

 

[Chris]

For a folding knife practically Micarta, so you can clean out all the nooks and crannies without worrying about the wood.

Looks wise though I do like some walnut.

 

[Kepis]

I've a EDC Boar in Micarta & a Wildcat in Walnut, both are equally good, the walnut looks and feels nice nice in the hand buts needs a bit of tlc now and again, the micarta is bombproof but feels cold to the touch, ie no character.

 

[Watch-keeper]

Folders: synthetic makes more sense so you can really give it a good submerge and clean in soapy water.

Fixed blades: not sure why but for me natural materials go with carbon steel and synthetics with stainless.

 

[ijohnson]

Seems pretty well covered above.

I prefer the feel of wood a lot over the feel of most synthetics so would choose that for any knife I thought I could look after well enough. But if the knife will be soaked in water or blood and bodily fluids/cooking detritus for any period of time then synthetics have a clear benefit.

 

[Wildgoose]

Thanks all,

I’m not adverse to a bit of maintenance but not a fan of having to constantly worry about a knife getting wet or dirty etc

Micarta wins out

 

[Laurentius]

It all comes down to a matter of taste as personally I cannot abide micarta.