For the knife nuts out there, what are the pros and cons for micarta and g10 when it comes to scales?

Micarta is layers of canvas (etc) with epoxy used to coat each layer, and then pressed to compact it.

G10 is similar, but uses layers of fiberglass and is also baked.

Micarta dents and chips a little easier than G10, but gets to a high polish and feels a little grippier when wet. The bumps on "textured" (grippier) G10 wear down and become smoother after a couple of months of use.

Zytel, Noryl, and Glass Reinforced Nylon are also extremely strong (ie: no difference in use), the bumps wear down slower, and they are a whole lot lighter. They still look like plastic, but very very high quality plastic - like the stuff they make firearms out of.

both laminates, G10 is a grade of glass/epoxy, micarta can vary using cloth, linen and different resins- it's been around for over a century

micarta is generally a little more grippy than g10 in my experience, they are very similar in most regards (strength, resistance to chemicals, etc)

micarta can absorb liquid though, g10 is all but impervious to liquids

g10 comes in high vis orange :)

G10 is more durable but you get better colors and designs with micarta

g10 is heavier, the scales on my BR BN-2 in g10 are 1/4oz heavier than the micarta counterparts.

Hi Javan,

Do you know the total weight of your BR2 with g10 scales?

2.75oz as I recall, without the kydex sheath.

Micarta, G10 and Formica are all essentially the same thing. As told above, G10 is formed with fiberglass cloth, while Micarta is made with canvas, linen, paper, or other similar things. Formica is the original discovery, and all three are equally durable.

It is incorrect to say that micarta absorbs water - when properly made, the epoxy-like substance thoroughly saturates the fabric (be it canvas or fiberglass), and nothing further can penetrate the fabric. However, I've noticed that the surface fibers on some of my micarta handles can absorb a small amount of water (I have to assume that the fibers have been loosened in the grinding and polishing) and swell slightly, giving a slightly rougher texture to the handle.

If you want a durable yet lightweight knife handle, look for one made from bamboo. I have a Bark River knife with a bamboo handle, and my son-in-law has several, and they are both very light and very tough. They are great for backpacking!

some of the older micarta-handled knives I've held had a "tacky" feel to them, a result of those "surface fibers" holding body oils instead of water. I've seen some pretty grimy micarta, never so with G-10. However, maybe the G-10 knives I've held were just not very old...

All this info is tremendously helpful. Thanks to all. The personal debate has now been narrowed down to Falkniven WM1 and BR Bravo Necker 2 w/ g10.

Both great choices, although considering the sizing of the wm1, why aren't you considering the Necker 1 also?


Just curious.

I love the extra length of the necker 2 for a one knife solution. If I normally carried a full sized blade hiking, I'd probably use the standard necker or something like the pro-scapel or mikro-canadian.