I am going to purchase a Byrd Cara Cara soon. I'm interested in two models: the FRN and G-10. I've had plastic handled knives before, which I am assuming is what the FRN model would be like. But I've never a knife that uses G-10, and I do not even know what it is (other than the fact that it is synthetic). I have read that it is "grippy," but that is not shedding much light on the subject. That said, I'm looking for an education on the differences between the two knives I'm considering.
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Cara Cara: Which Handle???
- Thread starter Moon0507
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There is no contest, buy the G10. You'd have to be crazy to buy a FRN handled knife for basically the same price as a G10 version. I've said it before and I'll say it a thousand times more, the G10 Cara Cara is the best knife in the world for the money right now. They're so good it makes me sick to look at some of my other knives I paid over 8 times more for.
I have mine so slicked up and fancified now I can open it faster than my Benchmade 710 by compressing the lock with my index finger and flipping it open. There is zero blade play whatsoever when the knife is open, in any direction. None! The more I carry it the more I like it. Buy 10 of them! You won't regret it for a second.
In response to your question, G10 is laminated fiberglass cloth, impregnated with phenolic resin and highly compressed. IMO it is the best of the best of handle materials. It's basically indestructible, looks really nice, has a great feel to it, and looks nicer and nicer as you use the knife. It's similar to canvas micarta, basically the same thing but made from fiberglass cloth instead of canvas.
I have mine so slicked up and fancified now I can open it faster than my Benchmade 710 by compressing the lock with my index finger and flipping it open. There is zero blade play whatsoever when the knife is open, in any direction. None! The more I carry it the more I like it. Buy 10 of them! You won't regret it for a second.
In response to your question, G10 is laminated fiberglass cloth, impregnated with phenolic resin and highly compressed. IMO it is the best of the best of handle materials. It's basically indestructible, looks really nice, has a great feel to it, and looks nicer and nicer as you use the knife. It's similar to canvas micarta, basically the same thing but made from fiberglass cloth instead of canvas.
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frn scales will make the blade a little lighter, though I haven't seen a weight listed for the frn Cara. I believe the G10 model is 5.6 oz.
I was going to order a frn model, but ended up getting the G10. The knife will be a beater, and while I have no qualms about using a frn handle folder, G10 is a little tougher in some respects. My clip point Voyager (which I just traded *tear*) held up really well for years offshore and while impersonating a shadetree mechanic, but the handle did have a couple scars from heat and abrasion.
Being cheaper, the frn vs the G10 Caras are almost a wash to me, if you aren't planning on abuse. Even then, they have screw constuction and steel liners. You can put new scales on whenever.
I was going to order a frn model, but ended up getting the G10. The knife will be a beater, and while I have no qualms about using a frn handle folder, G10 is a little tougher in some respects. My clip point Voyager (which I just traded *tear*) held up really well for years offshore and while impersonating a shadetree mechanic, but the handle did have a couple scars from heat and abrasion.
Being cheaper, the frn vs the G10 Caras are almost a wash to me, if you aren't planning on abuse. Even then, they have screw constuction and steel liners. You can put new scales on whenever.
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I own both. I love g-10. I agree that the g-10 cara cara is one of the best knife values to be found.
Having said all that, I am surprised how much I like the FRN model. It has a better feel than most plastic handles. It does not look or feel "cheap." The FRN model is clearly lighter than the G-10 model. Both models have great fit and finish.
If the knife will be clipped on a belt or kept in a pack or glove-box, go G-10. If it is going in your pocket, I give the nod to the FRN.
Have you considered getting both?
Mike
Having said all that, I am surprised how much I like the FRN model. It has a better feel than most plastic handles. It does not look or feel "cheap." The FRN model is clearly lighter than the G-10 model. Both models have great fit and finish.
If the knife will be clipped on a belt or kept in a pack or glove-box, go G-10. If it is going in your pocket, I give the nod to the FRN.
Have you considered getting both?
Mike
If weight is a primary concern, get FRN. Otherwise go with G10.
As far as feel goes, G10 feels like a really dense rubber almost. It's not very squishy, but it doesn't have the hard, plastic feel of FRN scales. The grippiness comes from the texture that is machined on the top. The G10 Byrds are a bit less grippy than the standard Spyderco models in G10, something to keep in mind if you order it. The closest thing I can imagine is taking a piece of car tire, cutting it to size and cross-hashing the top to make a grippy surface.
If you can stand a bit of extra weight, try out the G10 model. You'll probably like it.
As far as feel goes, G10 feels like a really dense rubber almost. It's not very squishy, but it doesn't have the hard, plastic feel of FRN scales. The grippiness comes from the texture that is machined on the top. The G10 Byrds are a bit less grippy than the standard Spyderco models in G10, something to keep in mind if you order it. The closest thing I can imagine is taking a piece of car tire, cutting it to size and cross-hashing the top to make a grippy surface.
If you can stand a bit of extra weight, try out the G10 model. You'll probably like it.
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I like G10 so much more than FRN, it's not even close. G10 has a real quality feel to it, it feels like you're holding something nice and well made, as opposed to FRN which always feels like you're holding a cheap piece of plastic. I usually polish up the scales on my G10 handled knives (my Cara Cara included) so that they look and feel very similar to smooth linen micarta. It's almost like having a bone or stag-handled knife, but much more durable and less expensive. I'm a real guy, not a "high speed low drag" ninja dude who jumps out of helicopters, and I've never had a knife slide out of my hand because it was all slippery from the blood of my enemies and it's highly unlikely this is a situation I'll ever find myself in. Smooth handled knives are very nice and well suited to real world, non-hollywood use.
Chemically, FRN and G10 are not all that different. Both are glass-reinforced polymers. FRN is Nylon 6 and G10 is Phenolic resin (a much older, less sophisticated polymer). I think the long glass strands in the G10 give it greater dimensional stability over FRN, but you can't really cast it or mold it like FRN. It's because you usually have to bolt slabs of G10 to a steel liner that make most G10 knives heavier than FRN versions. G10 itself is only slightly heavier than FRN. But several new Spyderco models use steel liners in the FRN versions. My Endura 4 is very close in weight to my G10 Cara Cara, and they are of almost identical size. (I think the slightly wider blade profile of the Endura 4 accounts for part of this).
It's funny though, I have no problem with FRN guns. I like my FRN Glock, Beretta and Walthers just fine. I bet I'd like them even more if they could somehow make them out of G10.
Chemically, FRN and G10 are not all that different. Both are glass-reinforced polymers. FRN is Nylon 6 and G10 is Phenolic resin (a much older, less sophisticated polymer). I think the long glass strands in the G10 give it greater dimensional stability over FRN, but you can't really cast it or mold it like FRN. It's because you usually have to bolt slabs of G10 to a steel liner that make most G10 knives heavier than FRN versions. G10 itself is only slightly heavier than FRN. But several new Spyderco models use steel liners in the FRN versions. My Endura 4 is very close in weight to my G10 Cara Cara, and they are of almost identical size. (I think the slightly wider blade profile of the Endura 4 accounts for part of this).
It's funny though, I have no problem with FRN guns. I like my FRN Glock, Beretta and Walthers just fine. I bet I'd like them even more if they could somehow make them out of G10.
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I wouldn't consider working on/with machinery and getting my hands covered in grease and oil very Hollywood, but it sure does make it hard to hold onto non-textured things. I personally do not like smooth handle materials for a working knife.
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Good point. Not a problem with me, I have a sissy desk job.
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I say you're going to get a great knife with either the G-10 or FRN. I have the G-10 CaraCara - it's a great knife! I plan on buying the FRN version also, because I like how 'thin' the FRN is. Good for the pocket, with comparable grip to the G-10, IMO. Get both, they're cheap enough. 
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As a proud owner of an FRN model my choice was based on the RH Tip Down option of the FRN as opposed to the Tip Up only option on the G10. I would have bought the G10 in a heartbeat otherwise. That being said, for a knife that runs about $20 get both.
I'm with beckerhead - having at tip-down carry option was the deal breaker for me as to getting the G10. I bought the FRN version, and am extreeemly happy with it.
Besides, the FRN handle on the Cara Cara is tough, very grippy, and lighter, which is a big bonus if you're wearing shorts or sweats
Besides, the FRN handle on the Cara Cara is tough, very grippy, and lighter, which is a big bonus if you're wearing shorts or sweats
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As for the weight issue, the Byrd G10 is a pretty heavy knife (not a problem for me). But G10 is not inherently heavy. I just picked up (like 20 minutes ago) a Military (G10) and I think it's lighter than my FRN Endura 4, which is actually a smaller knife. The Military is suprisingly light. I don't mind heavy knives (to a point) but the second I picked up the Millie, I had to buy it.
What an awesome knife. This is my first G10 Spyderco. I wondered how much more I could like a G10 Spyderco than my Cara Cara. Now I know. I have never seen such flawless finish on a production knife in my life. It is 100% perfect. It blows all of my Benchmades out of the water.
What an awesome knife. This is my first G10 Spyderco. I wondered how much more I could like a G10 Spyderco than my Cara Cara. Now I know. I have never seen such flawless finish on a production knife in my life. It is 100% perfect. It blows all of my Benchmades out of the water.