Knife Noob Ep. 12: Micartas Explained

An explanation of canvas, burlap, linen, and paper micarta and how they are finished by different companies. I also discuss the differences in feel of different micartas. ----------Find Links to Some of My Favorite Knives Below-----------

Benchmade Griptilian M390 and Carbon Fiber DLT Exclusive

Benchmade 940-1 in S90V and Carbon Fiber

Benchmade 940BK (the satin one is good too)

Benchmade Bugout

Chris Reeve Umnumzaan

Demko AD-20

Spyderco Manix 2

Microtech Ultratech

Microtech Socom Elite

Spyderco Para 3

Spyderco Endura in K390

Spyderco Chapparal in CTS-XHP and Carbon Fiber

Spartan Harsey Folder

Kershaw Bareknuckle

Kershaw Lucha

Bradford Guardian 3 in Cru-Wear

Everything TRC Knives makes is absolultely fantastic

-------------------------Recommended Knife Maintenance Tools----------------------

KPL (Knife Pivot Lube)

[Didier]

If a couple of years ago someone would have predicted to me 'one day you'll watch a 10 minute video on micarta and be fascinated' I'd had laughed out loud but there go, that's what I just did 😀... Love micarta myself, thanks for sharing!

[matthewadler]

Very cool to see a purpose driven series like this. You are offering an honest and kind service to the knife community ..I appreciate it.

[ryejack]

That was a good walkthrough of the different types and textures. Thanks! For a long time, I wasn't into micarta but this last year I've grown to be a fan.

[BigRedEDC]

Micarta is at the top of my list for handle materials! Well done canvas micarta especially!!

[erictalkington]

Feldspar looks NICE! I love Benchmade, was never really a Bugout fan until very lately, but yours with those micarta scales is one of the ones that has got me liking that model more and more. That looks really nice!

[PickleRick]

This is great! Im a g10 guy and its good to see you explain how these work.

[jeremyspaulding]

Cool to see all the different styles of micarta. Never had a micarta scaled knife may have to find one. Great video 👍

[luisrider]

Super helpful! My eyes tell my brain that my hands desperately need burlap micarta in them right now. That stuff looks gorgeous. Both the polished and matte. Tyvm for all that hard won information. I now know 1000% more about micarta then I did 10 minutes ago lol. Super interesting material. Practical, lite. Can appear rugged and beautiful, feel rough and smooth. I Wonder if clear braided fishing line woven into a cloth like structure would make an interesting material. Clear/ translucent/ flourecent light sensitive micarta type stuff. Wouldn't be a inexpensive material, but that's almost a plus in the knife world. Hmm. Hope someone makes it and becomes wealthy beyond measure.

[GromMolotok]

I only have one knife in micarta. So it's interesting to see the variety. Thanks!

[davidmathews]

I wish this vid was required viewing for anyone publishing reviews on YouTube. I’ve recently been watching a number of supposedly knowledgeable reviewers and have experienced 4-5 that have specifically referred to one or another brand’s micarta as “bad micarta” as opposed to some other brand’s micarta. It’s a pet peeve. Several times I’ve posted comments that there IS no good or bad… just different fabrics maybe also finished differently (as you so well describe it here). I guess anyone can produce and publish “the channel” as they like to call it and proceed to yammer away about things of which they’re mostly ignorant…misunderstanding technical aspects and not even knowing the name or pronunciation of the model. Oh well, life is hard. Thanks for YOUR good job though. PS: my favorite micarta scales ever were on two Bark River knives…Twister Silver Wire Micarta. Gorgeous stuff!

[racermike]

Cool video! Definitely an impressive collection you have too.

[markgoldstein]

Great info sir. Love me that micarta...

[jerseyknifeguy]

Yeah buddy right on sweet stuff Thanks bud

[Brianstube]

Hello, I was wondering which hardware kit you had on your xm-18? Brass, copper, battle black? Also, is that green linen Micarta, amd where did you get that brother?!? Very nice collection 👍

[Talix.]

Question. If you go on White Mountain Knives and search the the Cogent it lists micarta and coarse micarta. I didn't realize there was a difference between the two until looking at them closer. It even looks there is a difference between the coarse green and coarse black micarta but that could just be the color and picture. My question is which one has more texture and grip? It looks like the coarse one is more slick.

[Toreju]

I just ordered a real steel g5 metamorph ulta that has a micarta handle and damascus blade. interested to feel how micarta is in hand, its my firsr time with this material for a handle.

[rickkerans]

Great explanation of micarta the different types and finishes. One was missing that many people like the denim micarta on the QSP Penguin. Have you handled that one yet?

[adamism]

With the polished micarta does it stay nice and shiny or does it eventually turn into matte finish?

[NHRebelsthoughts]

Great video I want to add a micarta to my collection but one hasn't jumped out at me yet

[danr]

How good does micarta hold up to sweat? I go on long runs and keep a small knife clipped to the inside of my shorts.