Cara Cara, G-10 or FRN?

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kgriggs8

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Looking for light weight but still want strength. Which one is lighter and which one makes a better knife? Cost is not a big deal. Pros and cons if you have them.
 
Cara Cara, FRN weighs 3.8 oz

Cara Cara, G-10 weighs 5.6 oz

Even though the FRN is lighter, I would still go with the G-10, because it's

built like a tank and IMHO is the better Cara Cara of the two models.
 
If weight is a primary concern, I'd recommend against the G10 version. Mine, while not quite the brick my Chinook is, is still pretty heavy. Given that the FRN version has full steel liners IIRC, you should be fine as far as strength is concerned.
 
I personally love Spyderco's FRN. I generally prefer a metal handle/scale, but I have to admit I really like the FRN Spydies!
 
I'm holding the Cara Cara G10 right now as a passaround and I think G10 is better then FRN except for on Salt series knives where FRN is definitly the better handle material.
 
Well, after doing some searches, I see that the G-10 is considered the better model. I have found one and I am buying it. Thanks.
 
I liked the G10 better when handling them, but the FRN was noticably lighter and slimmer.
 
Buck268 said:
I liked the G10 better when handling them, but the FRN was noticably lighter and slimmer.
Click to expand...

I own and have gifted a few of the G10 Cara Cara models, I really like them, as they are tough and the G10 is nice and grippy. The FRN model is great if you want to cut weight, and I will probably get a couple meadowlarks in FRN to thin out for precision cutters, as in that capacity I like the lighter weight, but in a knife the size of the Cara Cara I prefer more heft and strength.

Mike
 
This is one of those things where the "too each his own" rule applies.

A lot of people prefer G10 over FRN. G10 is supposedly stronger than FRN, but few (if any) users will notice the difference (Sal has been noted to say that the pivot pin will break on a FRN knife before the handle gives way, and that was before they started putting liners on FRN knives). I think it's more important to have liners on FRN and G10 than to worry about the difference between the two. Another difference is that they two are finished in ways that gives them different "feel". I'd imagine that if the G10 and FRN were finished with the same texture then not many would notice a difference.

Here's how the difference between the two knives will be noticable.

  1. 1
  2. Texture: FRN has a different texture that G10 as finished. You may prefer one over the other.
  3. Weight: The G10 versions of the byrd line have proven to be close to the heft of their SS counterparts. If you prefer a heavy knive then the G10 may be your style, if your prefer lighter, then the FRN.
 
where did u find the best deal on your Cara Cara G-10? I am looking for one and I was just curious how low the prices can go?
 
kgriggs8 said:
Well, after doing some searches, I see that the G-10 is considered the better model. I have found one and I am buying it. Thanks.
Click to expand...

where did u find the best deal on your Cara Cara G-10? I am looking for one and I was just curious how low the prices can go?
 
Prices are pretty dang low as is. I would worry about a dollar here or there. Just get one! They are a bargin! I got the G-10 version and I gave it to my brother last night. He really likes it but he does think it is too heavy. I will buy the FRN version and see if he likes that one better. If he does, I will keep the G-10 one for myself. I will keep either version for myself since they make great all around knives. If you lose it, it is not the end of the world.
 
I have both, and even though I like FRN a lot, the G10 Cara Cara is in a whole different league, and IMO a much better knife.

The important thing to realize is that construction of the FRN and G10 Cara Cara models is very different. The FRN model is substantially thinner through the handle, which is achieved by using thin steel nested liners. So the FRN scales are quite thin as well, and the combination of thin liners and thin scales means you get a noticeable amount of handle flex, and a bit of a "squishy" feel.

The G10 Cara Cara on the other hand uses much thicker, non-nested steel liners, and the G10 material is significantly thicker than the FRN used on the other model as well. There is little question in my mind that the G10 is stronger and far more robust.

I've rarely been adamant about the "solid feel" of a folder, and have long preferred light weight over beefiness/heft for a knife that's going to be carried. But the G10 Cara Cara is just an exceptional tool for the price - the FRN Cara Cara is very good, mind you, but just not in the same class. IMO, of course.
 
FRN vs G-10 is a strength vs weight issue.

The most important part of a knife is that you have it with you when you need it. Many will not carry a knife if it is heavy. FRN with steel nested liners gives us a compromise that permits a fairly large blade size in an ergonomic light package that is still strong. "you don't know you have it until you need it" type of attitude.

I think the ZDP Dndura4/Delica4 are the epitome (at this time) of that compromise, but there is a 3rd important factor. price. Hence the Cara Cara/Meadowlark lite-weights.

I do appreciate your taking the time to purchase, test and express opinions on this new brand. We would like to see more dealers carrying the brand, but they are usually reluctant to gamble in an area in which they have little expertise.

sal
 
Hi everybody, I have a question for Cara Cara G10 owners.
I bought mine a week ago and the G10 inserts become "grayer" (black turns to gray). The knife was stored in my pocket and never touch any chemical or agressive thing.

Has someone the same problem ?
 
Hi Condillac,

Welcome to the Spyderco forum.

Certain fabrics have on occasion affected the color of G-10. It has been suggested that occasional spraying with WD-40 will restore the black.

sal
 
I have both. I love both.

The FRN is lighter and is probably a better pocket carry.

The G-10 feels solid, but is heavy. It is a better belt or pack carry.

They are priced so well that you should get both. You won't be disappointed.

Machaira
 
Dog of War said:
I have both, and even though I like FRN a lot, the G10 Cara Cara is in a whole different league, and IMO a much better knife.

The important thing to realize is that construction of the FRN and G10 Cara Cara models is very different. The FRN model is substantially thinner through the handle, which is achieved by using thin steel nested liners. So the FRN scales are quite thin as well, and the combination of thin liners and thin scales means you get a noticeable amount of handle flex, and a bit of a "squishy" feel.

The G10 Cara Cara on the other hand uses much thicker, non-nested steel liners, and the G10 material is significantly thicker than the FRN used on the other model as well. There is little question in my mind that the G10 is stronger and far more robust.

I've rarely been adamant about the "solid feel" of a folder, and have long preferred light weight over beefiness/heft for a knife that's going to be carried. But the G10 Cara Cara is just an exceptional tool for the price - the FRN Cara Cara is very good, mind you, but just not in the same class. IMO, of course.
Click to expand...

how thin is thin? i haven't read a lot of complaints from people about the byrd frn lightweights being "squishy". would you consider the liners on the D4/E4 thin or squishy? i haven't handled a byrd frn but i imagined it to be similar to my D4 and if it is, there's absolutely NO squishiness in my Delica.

so how different are the byrd frns and the D4/E4???
 
Hi, madfest. I didn't measure the liners on the FRN Cara Cara when I had it apart (and sure don't want to have to reassemble it again!) but I would guess they're something like .040" thick, maybe even a little less, and flex pretty easily. And the scales, being hollow to accommodate the nested liners, also flex easily.

I've never owned a steel lined Endura or Delica, in fact I've never owned any FRN knife with steel liners before. However comparing the FRN Cara Cara to an FRN Calypso Jr., a knife I've carried extensively for a couple years, I'd say the CC feels squishier. But of course the CC's handle is significantly longer, so that's not too surprising.

I can tell you this: with the blade closed, you can see how easily the FRN CC's handle will flex just by bowing it with your thumbs and index fingers, and watching the gap on each side of the blade.

Let me hasten to add, this isn't to say the FRN CC is a bad knife -- not at all! I certainly thought it was good enough that I bought another Byrd (and that despite a few manufacturing issues discussed in a thread here on BFC.) So when noting that the handle feels "squishy" I'm not necessarily suggesting that's a problem.

When I got my G10 CC I was surprised that the extra weight wasn't more noticeable when clipped to a jean pocket, because I generally feel with folders the lighter the better. Now I think if you wear a lot of lighter weight clothing, something other than rugged denim, the G10 CC wouldn't carry so well. But the FRN CC, while lighter, isn't exactly a featherweight itself. For me it's really the handle length with both of these knives that affects how they carry, rather than the weight.
 
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