Micarta has gained popularity as a material for knife handles due to its versatility, low weight, and durability. The word “micarta” is derived from the Greek word “mica,” which refers to minute rock fragments sewn into cloth.
Fabrics made of paper, fiberglass, carbon fiber, linen, canvas, and other thermoplastic fibers are offered under the name Micarta. It is an artificial, porous material manufactured from linen cloth that has undergone chemical treatment to make it waterproof. These fabrics can also be made from cellulose nitrate or rayon (vanillin). Let’s look at a few different varieties of micarta and its advantages and disadvantages for making knife handles.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Micarta Knife
When shopping for a new Micarta knife, there are several factors to consider. The three main considerations for buying a Micarta knife are its size, material and how well it retains its shape.
Blade Size
The size of the blade in an axe or hatchet is generally considered to be directly proportional to the amount of work that can be done with it. Longer blades mean more chopping will be possible but they’re harder to manage when working alone or with one hand. Smaller blades tend to be easier to handle but may not offer as much cutting power. In knives, however, things aren’t quite so simple. For instance, a smaller blade might feel fine while slicing through paper but could easily miss vital organs if used on a human being. Conversely, a larger blade might cut better through bone than flesh, though using it on a tree branch won’t yield very good results.
Handle Material
Like many materials, Micarta has a mix of different materials that make up its handles. These include plastic, rubber, resin and stainless steel.
- Plastic handles are inexpensive, lightweight and easy to wipe clean if necessary. However, these handles don’t hold their shapes particularly well and can become brittle over time.
- Rubber handles provide comfort during use and create a good grip. While these handles retain their shape reasonably well, they too can become less sturdy over time.
- Resin handles are durable, comfortable and ergonomic. They’re also heavier than plastic or rubber, making them ideal for swinging an axe or hammering a nail. Resin handles tend to be more resistant to impact damage than other materials and have a longer lifespan.
- Steel handles are commonly found on combat knives, hunting knives and outdoor survival knives. Though often called “carbon steel” because of its high carbon content (roughly 1 percent), modern versions actually contain little carbon and instead rely on chromium to resist rust. Steel handles are extremely hard and strong, but they can wear down quickly if you’re not careful with your tools.
Construction Method
There’s more to constructing a micarta handle than just finding some wood and drilling holes. Each piece must fit together perfectly, which means paying close attention to detail. Fortunately, most manufacturers today do a decent job of this. However, even after construction, testing and approval by the manufacturer, hands still go wrong. As such, it helps to buy a quality product from a reputable brand.
Maintenance
You do not need to be particularly careful because the handles of micarta knives will resist the majority of scratches and impacts. Micarta handles that are soiled or stained may typically be cleaned with hot water and soap.
Types Of Micarta Knives
There are several different types of micarta knives on the market. Each type has its own unique features, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before making a purchase.
Retractable Knives
The most common variety is the retractable knife. These knives have a sliding pocket blade that can be extended from the handle or retracted back into the handle. The extension and retraction mechanisms typically lock via pins (or screws) and are accessible through slots in the top edge of the blade. Retractable knives tend to be larger than fixed blades for similar reasons as discussed above. They also feature locking mechanisms designed to prevent the tip of the blade from stabbing yourself when the knife gets caught during use. This kind of safety mechanism isn’t necessary with every single one but certainly adds an extra layer of protection.
Fixed-Blade Knives
Any knife having a blade that is “fixed” in place (that is, without a pivot and securely, irrevocably linked to the handle) is referred to as a fixed-blade knife. In many ways, they are the polar antithesis of pocket knives. In all cases, the blade extends straight out unless it is being used for a particular task (like peeling an apple). Due to the lack of complicated locking mechanisms, fixed-blades are simple, easier to manufacture than folding knives, and very user-friendly. They lack the strength and adaptability of other types of knives, though, as their entire design is geared at holding a single sharpened piece of steel as opposed to a folder’s several functioning edges. However, this is by far the simplest course of action if your needs are just moderately basic and you don’t need a lot of strength or variety. It’s also excellent for those who avoid using knives out of concern that they’ll slash themselves.
Paper Micarta
Paper micarta, which has layers of paper throughout, can be polished or sanded to resemble ivory or bones and has a vintage appearance. Kitchen knife handles are most frequently made of paper micarta. Although it is almost unbreakable, it is simple to cut and shape.
Linen Micarta
The delicate weave of linen makes it the most elegant-looking of the different forms of micarta. For good reason, it’s one of the most widely used types of micarta. Many different textures can be applied to linen micarta. Different ways that knifemakers mold and mill the knife handles contribute significantly to style.
Canvas Micarta
The surface of canvas micarta is more grippy and appears more robust. The strongest variety of micarta is this one. Compared to the other two types of micarta, this one is thicker and denser. A thinner micarta handle is more likely to be polished, textured, and sculpted for aesthetic and grip purposes.
Vintage Micarta
Vintage micarta, a term used to designate any phenolic laminate created by any brand between the 1990s and prior, is a subtype of micarta. Since the beginning of the 20th century, micarta has been mass-produced, thus remnants and sheets from decades ago are still in use today. Vintage micarta can be utilized to create a unique knife handle and has a collector’s value similar to that of vintage fabrics.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
We began by looking for knives that met the requirements of having a fixed blade, being sturdy, and being adaptable. We also took into account the knife’s sharpness, ease of upkeep or cleaning, and any unique features it may have.
For this review guide, we relied on personal experience with dozens of different types of knives over several years. During our extensive product research, we looked at factors such as style, shape, materials, and purpose. We compared these new knives to similar products from reputable brands to ensure they were reliable. In general, we tried to find blades that were long-lasting, simple to use, and had useful extras, such as leather sheaths or wooden handles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Micarta Knives
How thick should my micarta knife be?
Generally speaking, most micarta knives will have a thickness somewhere in the range of 3mm-6mm. That said, there are so many different types of steels out there that it’s impossible for us to say anything definitive about the right size. If you’re looking for something with a little bit more weight behind it, go with something thicker; if you’re trying to keep weight down, go with something thinner.
Should micarta be oiled?
Micarta does not require sealing with wax, oil, or handle finish like wood does.
Can you get micarta wet?
Although micarta also is water proof, wet conditions can make it seem more gripping because the components are organic and their textures are more apparent.
Is micarta impact resistant?
Micarta has a high resilience to impacts. Excellent tensile, compressive, and flexural strength and unique electrical conductivity in humid environments.
What was Micarta originally used for?
Fiberglass, carbon fiber, paper, linen, canvas, and other textiles combined with thermosetting plastic are known as Micarta composites. Originally, it was applied in aesthetic and electrical settings.
Is Micarta Food Safe?
We are aware of no “food safe” certification for any of these coatings. It should be noted that several of the knives’ Micarta handles are porous and could retain bacteria.
How well does mica age?
Because of its strength and toughness, it is becoming a preferred material for usage in tough survival knives. A thermoset material called mica is capable of withstanding temperature fluctuations, moisture, and aging without becoming brittle. Micarta is a tough material that produces long-lasting knife handles.
Is micarta fire resistant?
The product has good electrical qualities in low humidity circumstances and is an extremely hard, flame-resistant machining grade.
What is black Micarta?
Micarta is created from epoxy resin-impregnated paper. For those who want a completely black appearance, there is no grain. Strong, long-lasting, and moisture-resistant. They are lightweight and simple to use.