Anyone else spoiled by 3D G10?

[Chocula]

1. 3D machining is cool from an engineering point of view. My favorite pocket knives are thicker in the center and thinner at the edges. eg: Speedform, Eskellibur, new TSEK, opinel, etc. That said...

2. 3D machining implies a thicker handle which is not usually a desirable feature for a pocket knife. My edc pocket knife is a BM 530. I have noticed that all of my friends and family prefer a small, unobtrusive knife for edc (if they carry a knife at all). On the other hand, outdoor people seem to like the 3d handles but are satisfied with plastic handled knives like the griptilian.

3. 3D machining for a fixed blade would be awesome. I see many micarta or G10 fixed blade knives with flat handles and avoid them because I know they will not be very comfortable, despite a nice 2d profile. I would be interested in a g10 fixed blade knife with 3d machined handles that are curvy and fill the palm.

 

[stormyone]

Could someone post images of what 3D G10 looks like?

 

[Heiheit]

here is a pic of my zt's

 

[Flashpoint]

Could someone post images of what 3D G10 looks like?

Here you go, but like someone has said, it's really hard to get an understanding for the feel of 3D scales from a 2D picture.

 

[Thingus995]

3D g10 is the bees knees, his legs and his arms. My Spec Bumps are THE yardstick against all other knives for handle comfort... That knife also sees the most pocket time by far... I love it and think it's worth the added cost

 

[Thingus995]

Here is the best I can do to show 3D... Clip removed


IMG_0355

 

[Kaizen1]

I care more for the overall design. The 3d machining is nice to me, but it's not much of a selling point. I really liked the feel of the 302 and the 0200 that I had for a short time, but I'm not a fan of recurves. Texturing is a nice middle point between full out 3d machining and plain vanilla flat G-10. But if the design is really appealing to me, the G-10 doesn't matter so much to me, especially if it saves me $30 or so.

 

[bertosknives]

Yes 3d g10 is a big plus it just makes the whole knife feel like its a higher level of quality. and it looks awesome. Plain g10 handles look kinda boring now.

 

[kneedeep]

Well shaped 3D G-10 really helps make a knife feel finished, and that much closer to a custom. The 300's vs. the 350's is a good example. Comparing them you sort of want to ask if someone missed a step with the 350. The Aluminum Speed Bump vs. the Spec Bump or the Spec Speed is a good comparison for comfort. Obviously the the Al Speed bump has aluminum slabs, but it is pretty much the shape it would be if it had flat G-10. The Spec handle is much more comfortable to hold and just plain looks like a more expensive knife (esp. the spec speed's G-10).

 

[Apec]

1. 3D machining is cool from an engineering point of view. My favorite pocket knives are thicker in the center and thinner at the edges. eg: Speedform, Eskellibur, new TSEK, opinel, etc. That said...

2. 3D machining implies a thicker handle which is not usually a desirable feature for a pocket knife. My edc pocket knife is a BM 530. I have noticed that all of my friends and family prefer a small, unobtrusive knife for edc (if they carry a knife at all). On the other hand, outdoor people seem to like the 3d handles but are satisfied with plastic handled knives like the griptilian.

3. 3D machining for a fixed blade would be awesome. I see many micarta or G10 fixed blade knives with flat handles and avoid them because I know they will not be very comfortable, despite a nice 2d profile. I would be interested in a g10 fixed blade knife with 3d machined handles that are curvy and fill the palm.

Zero Tolerance has a couple 3d G10 models: the 0100, 0121, and the 0170. The 0150 is also 3d machined, but not quite as rounded as the others.

 

[A.P.F.]

I would definitely throw down another 5-10% for 3D G10 grips.

 

[wongKI]

Not ideal for all knives IMO. For thicker, more hard-use-oriented blades there is little better, but for slimmer knives it hurts more than it helps.

What I'd really like is to see two colours on a 3d-machined handle, so you get an effect somewhat like that on the BM Rift.

 

[Apec]

Saw this posted by Les George on knifedogs (http://knifedogs.com/showthread.php?11764-Frame-lock-ESRs).

Not G10, but that 3D pattern on both sides of Ti is outstanding:

 

[Artfully Martial]

that is pretty impressive.

In a way, it reminds me of the 3D Ti on the locking side of the 030x.

 

[SOLEIL]

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?

I do. If given the choice I will purchase 3D machining over non 3D every time. That is why I own Bumps and Offsets. The only ZT's I have are the 3D ones. Please try it with others, maybe a few sprint runs?

 

[Niagara]

Thomas:

KAI/ZT are rocking it of late and looking forward to 2011 releases!

I love the look on the 3D look on PPT Spydy and feel the ZT 3D was a hit. Please consider it in your next blades. Everyone raved on brick pattern on 551! The 3D Gunner grip Stryder's rock.

Your USA made blades TNP reviewed, Piston and Echelon had funny design but some nice 3D. Please remember Orange, OD, tan, Coyote brown and Blue sell as your 7000 and Spydy Sprint runs have shown, heck GITD G10, sold at EDCF.

I BTW (off topic) love the Knockout and can't wait to buy one!! Please sell first production 500 numbered units.

3d is worth some dollars, more then steel in some instances when knife look rocks.

Bottom line 1D black standard G10 is old and tired. Go colored 3D!!

 

[Tsujigiri]

Thomas, when are you guys going to get another batch of 0200's out? I've been looking around trying to buy one, but it's backordered.

 

[EchoBravoKilo]

I love the feel of my ZT 0300 and 0302. Better than some others with plain flat g10.

 

[Niagara]

Zero tolerance in general stays with the OD green, tan, and black colors to stay in tune with the LEO/MIL theme of the knives, but yeah, if a supplier orders a custom color, Kershaw will, in general, do it. (Have to order a minimum of like 500 pieces though)

Ok I just reread all posts from this thread and your idea is right on.

Thomas; How about a Blade Forums 500 sprint run ZT Ti framelock in yellow or orange 3D G10 done in chisel design like you 0160 or 0170 fixed blade scales with satin or stone finished Elmax, S30V or ZDP 189 blade? It will be a bigger hit then the 0551, which is awesome!

When I look into buying a XM18 I always fall for the orange and yellow scales first!

 

[wongKI]

On a side note:

The actual design of the 3D machining is pretty important too. I find the ZT0200 ugly, for example, but the 551, as well as Jens Anso's "scalloped" G10, is spectacular, as is (as I mentioned before) the grey-black Benchmade 950.