G-10 As kmofe Handle Material
Posted: Monday, December 06, 2010
by Michelle Simpson
Pro Knife and Tool
There are many qualities that are important to how a knife handle will function during the conditions in which they are used. Every type of handle material has its high points and low points. For safety and ease of use it is necessary that the handle of a knife is easy to grip in your hand with out it coming loose, and strong enough to survive the punishment needed to get the job done right. For this reason G-10 is used in the making of many styles and brands of knife handles.
G-10 is a heat resistant electrical grade laminate formed by layering fiberglass cloth and industrial grade resin. The G-10 is then heated up and compressed to bind the layers. Discovered in the 1950s this scientifically manufactured material has also been used in deep sea and aerospace applications. Because it is so versatile G-10 and variations of it, work well in making insulation for extremely high and low temperature electrical and medical equipment. G-10 is also waterproof and chemical resistant
There are two other forms of G-10 that I would like to mention. The first of which is Micarta. Micarta is made just like G-10 except that a different cloth is used in place of the fiberglass. Micarta is very light and durable, but does not have a surface texture of its own. Micarta is smoother and has more of an elegant look than G-10 , but can be scratched if not properly cared for. This material is also very often used in knife handle manufacturing. Unlike regular G-10 working with Micarta requires some work be done by hand and it can sometimes cost a little more , especially in higher quality knife.
The other variation of G-10 is a material called FR4 which is a flame retardant version of the original fiberglass and resin combination of G-10. FR4 is commonly known as Garolite. FR4 can be used instead of G-10 to add more protection from heat to the knife handles and other parts made with it, Garolite also has applications in a variety of insulation and electrical component manufacturing.
The original G-10 material most often comes in black but is also available in a few colors, such as green, blue, orange, and striped. There is also a process where knife manufactures laminate mother of pearl or other decorative materials to G-10 to create ornamental scales on the knife handle. The cloth and resin layering process used to make G-10 gives it a very unique look when ground smooth and polished. G-10 is most often textured with a checking pattern that really adds to its grip strength and appeal, but there are other gripping surfaces to choose from as well. The checking pattern seems to be a knife favorite because of its gripping strength and comfort.
So if you are looking for the best quality handles for the knives you use for work and recreation that come in many different colors and brand names you can trust, then G-10 may be just the right fit for you. You will find G-10 used to make almost every style of knife you will need including folding knives and fixed blade knives for hunting, tactical and utility knives. The benefits of the G-10 handle make it a smart decision every time you shop for a knife.
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