Micarta is one of the most popular handle materials on modern knives, from budget-friendly folders all the way up to handmade custom fixed blades. But if you are new to the world of knives, this may be the first time you have ever heard of it. Here is what makes this material so special, and why you might choose it for your next pocket knife.

What Is Micarta

Micarta is made from layers of fabric (usually canvas or linen) compressed with phenolic resin under high heat and pressure. It forms a highly durable, non-brittle material that is prized for strength, moisture resistance, and an organic feel in the hand.

Advantages of Micarta

• Durability: Micarta won’t warp, dry out, or crack over time the way that natural handle materials like wood, bone, and even some synthetic materials can.

• All-Weather Grip: Even when polished to a high sheen, Micarta retains a grippy nature. Matte and rougher finishes will be even grippier. Most formulations of Micarta even feel slightly tacky when wet, increasing your hold on the knife in adverse conditions.

• Organic Feel: Because it is made with fabric, Micarta exhibits a natural warmth in the hand; it is not sterile or synthetic feeling.

• Character: Micarta, especially canvas varieties, will patina with time, interacting with the oils of your hand, the environments it has lived in, and even ultraviolet rays. This enhances its heirloom quality and tells the story of the knife it is used on.

How Does Micarta Compare to G10?

G10, a high-pressure fiberglass laminate, is also extremely common on knife handles. How does it compare to Micarta?

Pros of G10 vs Micarta

• Colors: G10 can achieve both a wider variety of colors, as well as more vibrant hues that Micarta is not capable of.

• Chemical Resistance: G10 is more resistant to harsh solvents and a wider variety of chemicals compared to Micarta, although both materials beat natural options like wood or bone.

• Ease of Cleaning: The surface of G10 is more dense, and cleans more easily than Micarta, especially when the Micarta’s surface uses a lower-grit finish, which can sometimes lead to the absorption of oils or dirt.

Cons of G10 vs Micarta

• Feels Synthetic: G10 lacks the warmth and natural feeling of Micarta, and tends to feel more plastic-like in comparison.

• Not Naturally Grippy: although a textured surface can make up for this drawback, G10 is not as naturally grippy and lacks the “tacky when wet” advantage of Micarta.

• Less Character: If you want your knife handle to age gracefully and develop patina over time, G10 will not age the same way as Micarta, although some may consider this a pro rather than a con.

Popular Knives With Micarta Handles

• ESEE 4: This popular survival knife was designed by the minds behind Randall’s Adventure & Training, leading instructors in the field of survival, bushcraft, land navigation and rescue tactics.

• Spyderco Paramilitary 2: This pocket knife does it all, from everyday utility to tactical readiness and combat effectiveness.

• CRKT Minimalist: This small neck knife doubles down on the grippy qualities of Micarta with prominent finger grooves to enable a locked-in grip during use.

More Fun Facts About Micarta

• Micarta was developed by George Westinghouse in the early 1900’s and was originally used as a high-strength electrical insulator.

• Micarta is actually a brand name, but much like the words Kleenex, Band-Aid, or Xerox, it is often used no matter who made the material.

• Although he wasn’t the first to use Micarta on a knife handle, custom maker Bob Loveless is often credited with popularizing it in the mid 1960’s thanks to using it on models like his famous Drop Point Hunter design.

• Micarta has been to space! NASA astronauts during Project Mercury were equipped with a Randall Knives survival knife known today as the Model 17 Astro. It featured Micarta handles with space inside hollowed out for matches, fishhooks, and other survival items.

Browse the KnifeCenter’s selection of Micarta-handled knives here.