Anyone else spoiled by 3D G10?

Thomas W said:
It's funny you bring 3-D up AM, as we were just having a conversation yesterday on this very subject. We were discussing on whether 3-D machining G-10 or Ti is really worth the cost/effort.

It seems even on BF's (enthusiasts willing to spend more based on specs), 3-D machining gets little attention. Because of the lack of even being noticed/mentioned, we've opted to just texture over 3-D machining on a couple of recent projects.

It would be nice to hear from the members on their thoughts with 3-D machining vs.interest vs. cost.

Does anybody really care?
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I see 3-D machined G10 as something that gives you more grip without being harsh on your hands/pockets. The 3-D machining of the titanium side of my 0301 didn't exactly rub me in the right way, though I suspect it has more to do with the design or finish than anything else. I'd like to think I would like the feel of the CRK Star-Tac in my hands.

I think Rick has the right mix on his XM-18 with a subtle 3-D texture on the G10 and stonewash/beadblast on the titanium side. To be honest, I actually kind of thought the 0551 was going to be 3-D machined when I heard it was going to have a "brick" design on the G10 scale.
 
I'm fine with regular textured G-10, but well-done 3-D machining is often a nice bonus that adds to the aesthetic appeal of a knife (and, ideally, to its ergonomics as well). I definitely consider the 3-D G-10 on my Spec Bumps and 0300 positive features of the knives.
 
Another great thing I like about sculpted G-10 over textured is that the sculpted scales give a positive purchase to the grip without giving as much of a pocket eating grip on your jean pocket like textures tend to do.
 
Ill admit it isnt a real buying factor for me. Im more concerned with the blade shape and 2d shape/size of the handle. That being said, i think if it makes the knife more comfortable, id appreciate it.

The one problem (and this applies to many knife buyers) is that many of us buy our knives online. The 3d feature is very difficult to appreciate via video or pictures and I think it gets over looked. So even if we may like it, we dont use it as a spec when buying blades. Just my 2 cents
 
Flashpoint said:
Another great thing I like about sculpted G-10 over textured is that the sculpted scales give a positive purchase to the grip without giving as much of a pocket eating grip on your jean pocket like textures tend to do.
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I agree 100%. I also find flat textured G-10 just plain boring and will often pass on a knife because of it.
 
I dont really have a care for 3D g10 and focus more on the blade shape and handle. If it were up to me id rather have a comfortable handle with good purchase (not going anywhere) and smooth(almost polished) g10
 
Seems like we have a consensus here. Like the other posters, 3D G10 boils down to basically two things: aesthetics and grip (possibly in that order). I think that, for those of us who have enjoyed a little luck over the years and have gone through dozens of knives, well, the flat textured G10 just doesn't interest anymore. It looks and feels like everything else--and that's fine, we all know flat g10 can work great, but I'd rather spend a little more and go 3D and have a unique piece.

And to that end, Kershaw/ZT offers substantial variety--when adding a 3rd dimension of machining to it, you just get so many more possible designs--the MUDD is barely 3D, but it's got enough depth to set it apart, or take the starburst patterns on the Offset compared to the "snakeskin (my made up term)" pattern on the 0200s and 0300s. There's just so much more variety that I really feel like that buying a new 3D textured G10 knife is adding something new to my collection. That's sort of how I feel about composite blades too--it really sets them apart and makes it seem special.

From the grip standpoint, of course it will fill the hand more naturally, and I suspect textures like on the 030x and Offset will perform better in water than flat G10, if only do to their unique textures giving a place for the water to stay away from your touch. And, like others have said, when using flat g10, you really only have three or so options to increase grip--the shape of the g10, the width of the handle and, perhaps most importantly, the abrasiveness of the G10. But increasing that third option tends to take a toll on pockets, whereas optimizing a knife in 3D seems to lack that side effect.

If we drum up a little interest here, think there's a chance for a 3D 0350? Maybe with a framelock (I would love a textured titanium framelock like on the 030x, but a flat slab would be fine with me)? I'd buy it in a heartbeat--and, if you're just feeling generous, maybe non-AO too. But it's gotta keep that sweet uncoated shark-fin CB blade.

Honestly, if that knife had existed, I'd just have skipped the 030x altogether. Even if it had AO.
 
Artfully Martial said:
Seems like we have a consensus here. Like the other posters, 3D G10 boils down to basically two things: aesthetics and grip (possibly in that order). I think that, for those of us who have enjoyed a little luck over the years and have gone through dozens of knives, well, the flat textured G10 just doesn't interest anymore. It looks and feels like everything else--and that's fine, we all know flat g10 can work great, but I'd rather spend a little more and go 3D and have a unique piece.

And to that end, Kershaw/ZT offers substantial variety--when adding a 3rd dimension of machining to it, you just get so many more possible designs--the MUDD is barely 3D, but it's got enough depth to set it apart, or take the starburst patterns on the Offset compared to the "snakeskin (my made up term)" pattern on the 0200s and 0300s. There's just so much more variety that I really feel like that buying a new 3D textured G10 knife is adding something new to my collection. That's sort of how I feel about composite blades too--it really sets them apart and makes it seem special.

From the grip standpoint, of course it will fill the hand more naturally, and I suspect textures like on the 030x and Offset will perform better in water than flat G10, if only do to their unique textures giving a place for the water to stay away from your touch. And, like others have said, when using flat g10, you really only have three or so options to increase grip--the shape of the g10, the width of the handle and, perhaps most importantly, the abrasiveness of the G10. But increasing that third option tends to take a toll on pockets, whereas optimizing a knife in 3D seems to lack that side effect.

If we drum up a little interest here, think there's a chance for a 3D 0350? Maybe with a framelock (I would love a textured titanium framelock like on the 030x, but a flat slab would be fine with me)? I'd buy it in a heartbeat--and, if you're just feeling generous, maybe non-AO too. But it's gotta keep that sweet uncoated shark-fin CB blade.

Honestly, if that knife had existed, I'd just have skipped the 030x altogether. Even if it had AO.
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Dobson can make you a 3-d scale to your specs for a very reasonable price in the meantime. :thumbup:
 
Thomas W said:
It's funny you bring 3-D up AM, as we were just having a conversation yesterday on this very subject. We were discussing on whether 3-D machining G-10 or Ti is really worth the cost/effort.

It seems even on BF's (enthusiasts willing to spend more based on specs), 3-D machining gets little attention. Because of the lack of even being noticed/mentioned, we've opted to just texture over 3-D machining on a couple of recent projects.

It would be nice to hear from the members on their thoughts with 3-D machining vs.interest vs. cost.

Does anybody really care?
Click to expand...

Depending on the pattern it's ok, but generally I do not think it is worth the extra cost. I understand it is a costly process both financially and time consuming. I would rather have a different colored textured G10 if it is a LE version. Foliage Green, Hunter Orange, Battleship Grey, Coyote Brown, etc.

The 0551 brick pattern was done perfectly. It did add a unique twist to the knife overall. Did it make the knife better in terms of functionality or collectability? Hard to say, the answer varies by whom you ask.

Personally, I like steels, exotic, new. The 0350CB was my first knife with it, and I've used that knife quite a lot in day to day work. Very impressed with the steel performance, sharpening, toughness, definite homerun for KAI. I would think that to most afis the steel is moer important than a design on the G10, provided it is a comfortable and well known/loved platform (Leek, Blur, etc.). I would be more inclined to pay extra for the steel rather than a fancy CNC machined handle pattern. I can't cut anything with the handle after all. The Rake is a good example, grippy G10, excellent bladesteel with an awesome HT. What's not to love? Now, if I can only get ahold of one. :thumbup::D
 
I was just showing off my spec bump to a guy at a knife store on Saturday. Why does the g10 on the handle seem harder than unsculpted g10? I thought it was aluminium until I looked at your site to review the specs.
 
scotchleaf said:
I was just showing off my spec bump to a guy at a knife store on Saturday. Why does the g10 on the handle seem harder than unsculpted g10? I thought it was aluminium until I looked at your site to review the specs.
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I would suspect that it's because the density is greater (on the surface), insofar as it doesn't have a lot of G10 removed. It seems like there's a more or less even division on normal flat textured G10, where textured G10 has big areas of depression/relief. I haven't tested it, but I do think this makes textured g10 less likely to chip...I once took out a small area of the conventional g10's surface (like, a mm^2) when a spyderco clip broke. I doubt that'd happen on the ZT030X. So, I suppose the analogy would be scratching a bead-blasted blade versus a mirror finished blade--the sort of satin texture is due to tons of little bumps, which can be fairly easily scraped away.

G10 can be very smooth and hard, and that tends to be the way Benchy runs it. My Morpho is a beautiful example--although it gets its grip from some skeletonization in the handle because, quite simply, smooth G10 just doesn't have much.
 
I freaking LOVE 3d machined g10. The g10 on my 0300 and 0200 are easily my favorite g10 texturing.
 
I would love to see the ZT 0350 made with 0200 style scales. Or with something like Spyderco's Zulu. The Buck Vantage Pro style would also be sweet.

I wonder about extra cost $5 to $10 or is it much more.
 
I like the 3D G10 on my ZT 0301 and ZT 0170. I'd like to get something with Strider's Gunner Grips, but I don't think I'll be getting a Strider anytime soon.
 
3D (or even just nicely contrasted, like the benchmade 615) handles are what, to me, make a knife stand out as one that the designer put a lot of care into. (I know that a lot of care goes into *most* designs regardless of handle sculpting, it is just a subconscious impression). I really think that the Kershaw 3D designs are part of what make them stand out from the other options on the table.
 
I have to agree with most comments here, I really like it on my ZT 301 and 0200 and also my spec bump. I think it would be a neat addition to the Rake I just got, for that matter any of the composite blade knives especially the JYD series would be really neat with sculpted G-10.:thumbup:
 
I'm not opposed to it or anything...I prefer nicely sculpted handles, whether G10, wood, aluminum, or micarta, on fixed blades, but it's not much of a buying point for me when it comes to folders. I'm fine with your run-of-the-mill flat G10 slabs most of the time.
 
I love the radial 3D pattern on my Spec Bump; it was one of my main reasons for buying it. It's comfortable, looks great, gives good grip, but at the same time has a flat spot for the clip so it doesn't rip up your pocket. I think you should continue with this feature, since it's one thing that sets Kershaw apart from other companies.
 
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