G10

G10 is a composite material that’s used for it’s toughness and resistance to wear. In the tactical gear context it’s most often used as material for knife handles. Other names are G-10 and garolite.

Similar to Micarta, G10 is made of fabric that’s drenched in epoxy resin. The pack is then pressurized and heated until the epoxy resin is cured. The difference to Micarta is that the fabric used are mats of glass fibre instead of natural materials. The organized nature make G10 perfect for contoured and structured shapes.

While you can make G10 into polished forms like GRN it’s way more often used differently. When you ask knife enthusiasts about it they usually refer to rough or milled surfaces. While that’s not necessarily a sign of higher value people usually say that the rough version feels tougher and of higher value.

In addition to how it feels the rough surface has more benefits. It almost sticks to your skin without hurting when working prolonged times. Some makers like Acta Non Verba go the extra length and have rough surface on a milled structure. It’s close to impossible to slip along this handle even when wet, muddy or cold.

Speaking of cold, G10 also feels more comfortable in cold environments than some other materials used for knife handles.