Anyone really like zytel handles?

I like them a lot as long as they don't come with Zytel clips. I love the new Delica and the new Endura as well as the Lightweight Native.

------------------
Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
 
I own a CRKT KFF, M16-03Z and Urban Shark all with zytel scales and I just love them.

It really keeps the cost down and i reckon it works just fine.

I have 2 Spdercos, but their handle material is described as krayton. Is this a type of zytel? It does appear to be very similar. I've had these so long this is normal for me.

G10 is nice - I have 2 Benchmades with it. But it's major expensive here.
 
I've owned a couple of Buck's with Zytel. They performed fine, and I couldn't find a reason to dislike Zytel except the weight issue. I like a substantial feel to a handle, and Zytel (and others) don't have it.

Gave the 2 I had to my nephews, and they've beat the hell out of them. They hold up fine. Just too light for my taste.

Brandon
 
I have a few CRKTs with Zytel handles, and think they're great. They feel plenty solid, and are holding up well. They don't even look too bad.

I also have a G10 handled Military. That has to be the ugliest handle material in man's history. It's very grippy, but looks like I just super-glued some black sandpaper onto a real handle!!! Yuk!!!!
 
I love that fish-scale pattern Zytel on the Spyderco Calypso Jr. Ltwt. Good texture and visually interesting.
 
I've had a few folders over the years, but for the last four years, my work knife was a SOG Autoclip. It took a real beating and is still in good shape. Even the zytel (adjustable)clip still works like new. Last week, (for the first time ever) it fell out of my pocket while sitting down. I had been using it all morning and had left the clip wide open. When it came time to buy a SOG Vision, I picked the X-Ray (zytel) and saved a bunch of money. Fantastic knife..

My latest work knife is Spyderco Standard. I'm not really impressed by the G-10, but the overall, it's a sweet little folder.
(My X-Ray is a tad too mean looking for the office).
Since I'm not likey to have a need to cut the top off a car, I think zytel will do just fine for me.
Rich<>


[This message has been edited by BladeWalker (edited 03-30-2001).]
 
Zytel is okay for me, but not a selling point. I have to like a zytel handled knife for other reasons; blade shape, steel, ergonomics, build quality, price, ect..... If those other things are present then I like zytel handles fine.
biggrin.gif
But other handle materials can be an extra asset in a high end folder. Be careful out there!
biggrin.gif


------------------
ms_p1walkie.gif
 
Ive tried Gerber and CRKT knives with Zytel handles. Its one material I really dont ever want to use again. Reason being, no matter how the handles is designed, I can never get a secure grip. For everyday cutting it would be fine, but if I ever needed to defend myself, I am worried my opponent would knock it right out of my hand.

Dark Nemesis

------------------
Crimson Horizon
Nothing but edge baby...
dark.nemesis@home.com
 
Wow. I expected a storm of down with the "cheap sh*#" stuff. Hardly any of that.

When I first decided I was going to post was going to say how much I agreed with Paul and Full Tang Clan, but then as things went on, many more to agree with.

I frequently mention my gaptitis memory, because it bothers me so much. It truly makes me worry about the early onset of Alzheimers. So, I can't remember how long I've had my Zytel handled Gerber LST. I believe it is somewhere in the vicinity of 15 years. Just a couple weeks ago, I cleaned it up as well as I could. Hard to tell from a new one. To my mind, Zytel may be inexpensive, but it is in no way cheap. It lasts!

I do agree with Full Tang Clan about the loss of simplicity when going up the price ladder. As several have mentioned, the CRKT Mirage looks, feels, and acts like a classy knife. It is! It is just inexpensive. Now I do have to admit to a fondness for the appearance of some carbon fiber and micarta. But, the premium CF costs isn't worth it too me. I keep remembering that my knives stay in my pocket most of the time. Nobody can tell the price of a knife by it's bulge in your trousers -- can I say that?

I'm intrigued by the properties of various steels. I have to admit that I really want something made of VG-10, CPM440V, or CPM420V, or BG-42, or the other CPM steels. But the fact is, I only rarely sharpen my knives. My wife and I filled our Taurus wagon 3 times with cardboard we cut from a jillion boxes in our garage. Did all the cutting with Schrade + steeled blade on my Old Timer King Ranch or whatever it is. I can tell no difference in the sharpness of the blade since doing that.

Now that you think I've digressed all over the place, I'm swinging back to Full Tang Clan's comments on simplicity of good inexpensive tools that work well. Some aspects of value, I believe, are objective. I fear many of the aspects of value, particularly as it is applied to "the best" are primarily subjective.

Let's hear it for Zytel and simplicity!
(Yes, my rant is over.
biggrin.gif
)

Wait -- Dark Nemesis, I think maybe you should see a doc about those sweaty hands. I have no trouble hanging onto Zytel.


------------------
Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
I'm sure there are some -- well, probably many -- who won't be able to forgive me for posting here again on this thread.

As I was waiting to back out after my post, I suddenly remembered the Blade review of the Zytel Magna, done by Kim Breed. In that review, for those who don't remember, he propped the ends of the Magna between two bricks, and then stood with at least the majority of his 190 pounds on the knife, w/out doing any damage to the knife.

Okay. That sets the scene. Then, the next thread to read is Dark Nemesis' thread about his knife being run over by a bus and smashed. I posted my sympathy there, and apologized for the jab in my earlier post.

What I did not do, and what I wanted to do so bad it hurt, was say, "Too bad the handles weren't Zytel!"

I rarely show such restraint, and I know people should be modest about their better actions, but I just couldn't resist telling someone that I kept my mouth -- well fingers -- shut.

I'm done.


------------------
Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
Bugs,

I, too, thought people would scoff at my suggestion that "Zytel ain't half bad."

I really liked that magna example you mentioned.

For anyone who thinks that one piece handled Zytel knives are crappy, I suggest they spend some time with the Spyderco Native lightweight in CPM 440V. Not only is it great functionally, but the Zytel handles look and feel great.
 
I want carry anything else in my EDC at work knife. It's very tough, and I have a lot of confidence in it. I save the more expensive plastic and materials for home. RKBA!
 
I've seen one piece Zytel (FRN) handles take abuse that has seperated "better" handle materials from their liners. For me, I'll take simplicity and function over looks any day. I've never worn out a Zytel handled knife.

Paul
 
Don't like zytel. Much prefer G-10, micarta, wood, almite, carbon fiber, stainless, & titanium.

If I had to choose only one... G-10.

AJ
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top