What is Micarta? (And is it good for knife handles?)

You have heard it, seen it, or touched it. Maybe now is the right time to understand more about the hard material that is commonly found in many knives, Micarta.

What is Micarta?

Let’s explain micarta in its simplest way.

Micarta is linen material in a thermoset resin. Bluntly, it is several kinds of fiber clothes soaked in resin and heated to hardness.

Micarta has come a long way. Once used in decorative applications, today’s Micarta is cooked in high temperatures and pressure to produce laminates, which are used to make insulators, knife handles, among others.

Micarta’s production involves a mixture of different materials such as silicon, epoxy, melanin resin, and phenolic which are reinforced with cotton, paper, and other substrates.

Micarta is made in the USA, and it is available in a wide variety of grades and commonly used in knife handles.

Is Micarta water-resistant?

Micarta is not a completely water-resistant knife handle.

It can absorb water to some degree because the materials used in its construction have openings around their edges. Micarta’s water absorption is limited to low levels.

How durable is Micarta?

Micarta is an outstanding and time-proven knife handle with a strong performance that can withstand a test of time.

The materials used in Micarta construction are high-quality and vary from linen, paper, and canvas.

Those constructed using the linen materials report a tensile strength of 8750+ PSI crosswise and 12500+ PSI lengthwise.

Expect to use Micarta in many years to come.

What is the difference between Micarta and G-10?

There is a big difference between the two knife handles. However, this depends on their construction materials, strength, and comfortability.

Although both are resin-based, the G-10’s most ingredients involve glass fibers. Micarta is mostly constructed using linen. But sometimes it is mixed with paper and other fabrics.

Their layers are also constructed differently. Micarta layers are reinforced with phenolic resins, whereas G-10 layers are reinforced with epoxy resins.

Micarta vs wood for knife handles

Micarta knife handles takes a beating with nicely textures and seems durable than wood.

Micarta vs G10 appearance

When it comes to appearance, both of them look sleek. But Micarta provides plenty of extras in its design which gives it a more stylish look.

Since most G-10 are glass-based materials, meaning they are smooth than Micarta.

Is Micarta customizable?

Unlike the G-10 types, Micarta knife handles are constructed using natural materials so they are limited to color options.

Most of the time, Micarta comes in two common colors-yellow and brown. But you can opt for other materials if you want to give them a more stylish look.

Micarta is customizable to different widths, thanks to its excellent layering process. So, you can customize it to your preferred thickness and size.

Is Micarta easier to maintain?

Although Micarta’s construction features synthetic materials, it needs a little bit of upkeep. The best way to maintain Micarta is using oil most frequently.

Otherwise, it will become unhygienic if left un-oiled. But the oiling process is simple and requires minimal effort.

Which types of knives are Micarta best suitable for?

Since it is strong, durable, and extremely sturdy-Micarta is best suitable for tactical knives. They tend to provide an excellent grip when wet.

They can also be used as fishing/hunting knives.

To Wrap Up

Micarta is a perfect option for knife handles with plenty of durability’s based on its construction materials and design.

The handles feel superb. Not too heavy, not too light. Micarta offers the perfect balance that you need for your knifes.