I agree with Tom & Randy: Res C is shock absorbing, comfortable and grippy – superior to micarta and G10 in all of these qualities. I have all of the original Basic series (3, 5, 7 & 9), and my first Busse was a B9 in late 2001 – they all feel the same as they did originally. I have used a SHBM (with smooth micarta), Basic 9 and 1311 to chop with – the SHBM was hard to hang onto when it hit the log (it would tend to twist in my hand), but no problem with the B9 or 1311. Res C is really good stuff!
Even when wet the rubber is not that slick. I would even go as far to say that wet Res-C has more grip than wet G-10
