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- Oct 21, 2012
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Soon I plan on buying a cold steel ti lite 4". I am debating over the zytel handle, satin blade or aluminum handle beadblasted blade. Price is not a factor
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Aluminum vs zytel ti lite
- Thread starter jonathan13
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Aesthetically, it's a matter of personal choice: which do you like better? I will tell you, aluminum will transmit heat, which may be a problem for you. I would tell you it will transmit cold, too, but in south Texas, I don't think that's much of a problem.
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I don't know about that knife specifically as I've never carried one, but if price is no option look for one in titanium. I will not buy any more knives with aluminum scales- they never "age well" after any real use. All that I have owned looked like crap after only moderate wear. Titanium, OTOH, seems to only look better with age and use. Just my opinion, of course.
The titanium is nice, but the f&f on cold steel's taiwan produced knives is probably superior.
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While I don't have a Ti Lite. I have any number of knives with zytel handles (AKA FRN, or fiber reinforced Nylon. "Zytel" is a trade name owned by DuPont.) I also have a couple with aluminum. I prefer the FRN. Personal preference, but the Zytel feels better to me.
That being said, it is also dependent on the individual handle. I do have a couple of knives whose FRN handles flex a bit because the plastic isn't thick enough. (Not a material failing, but rather a poor design).