carbon fiber, G10 or ti scales

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deerslap

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Jun 2, 2016
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I'm looking at picking up a Grayman Satu but undecided between getting the carbon fiber scales, G10 or full titanium. Other than just plain looks and minor difference in weight is there any other advantage either way. G10 I figure might have an advantage with grip having cold, wet or bloody hands. Full titanium I figure strength but realistically how much. Normally I'd just get both as I'm a believer in two is one and one is none but I just picked up a Crusader Forge and so funds are limited on this buy.
 
Yup I'm leaning towards full ti, this knife is going to go through hell in the woods. I know G10 is plenty strong as I never had any knife with it on fail and I'm hard on my knives, clumsy too as I can guarantee every knife I use will take a fall sooner or later. But the full ti just has a no nonsense look and Graymans stonewash is pretty sexy looking.
454leo, I ended up getting the Crusader Forge VIS T, it's full ti as well but has a beautiful anodized finish on the scales.
 
Ti is quite a lot heavier than carbon fiber. How big is the weight difference? There was a very noticeable weight difference between my Sebenza 21 with a single CF scale and any other large CRK knife with dual Ti scales. Totally changed the balance of the knife.

Depending on how they're finished, one may be gripper than the other. For me, weight and grippines would be the biggest variables to consider.

As for G10 ... yuck. In my view, G10 makes any knife feel like a $50 import.
 
The carbon fiber Satu is 10oz compared to the all ti at 11.5oz, I'm not sure if the 1.5oz will be that noticeable. That carbon fiber Satu looks mighty classy though. What I probably will do is go full ti on the Satu then turn around and get a Dua in carbon fiber. Every time I look at that Satu though in carbon it just adds a little class to the machine!! Hhmmmmm what to do?
 
If I get one I'll get carbon fiber. So many deals on this model I'm surprised I don't have one by now
 
I think the carbon would hold up fine to abuse but never had a chance to put that thought in motion. The only carbon fiber folder I have now is a ZT 0450CF. It's a handsome little folder for sure but I just carry it around the house or out in town, it's kind of like useful jewelry. The size and design of that ZT would not hold up to my use in the outdoors. So I'm not sure what carbon fiber can handle. Does anyone out there have any stories of their carbon fibered scaled knives being put through hell and back and how they held up?
 
deerslap said:
G10 I figure might have an advantage with grip having cold, wet or bloody hands.
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If you want your leg to tingle with excitement, get titanium or carbon fiber. That's all they are really good for. But for function, get FRN, "grivory" or other plastic scales, or G10. They are inexpensive, high traction and durable. Other than making yourself feel good - which is not a bad thing - titanium and carbon fiber is just pocket jewelry.
 
deerslap said:
I think the carbon would hold up fine to abuse but never had a chance to put that thought in motion. The only carbon fiber folder I have now is a ZT 0450CF. It's a handsome little folder for sure but I just carry it around the house or out in town, it's kind of like useful jewelry. The size and design of that ZT would not hold up to my use in the outdoors. So I'm not sure what carbon fiber can handle. Does anyone out there have any stories of their carbon fibered scaled knives being put through hell and back and how they held up?
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Not all carbon fiber is created equally... So a test wouldn't show all types equally.

Generally much stronger than g10

Some carbon can chip off or crack off or just shatter if it drops hard or bent beyond it's limits (depending on the type and how it's made, bending it has a high limit). But everything has a limit. Carbon made with no or very little voids can be very strong.
 
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powernoodle said:
If you want your leg to tingle with excitement, get titanium or carbon fiber. That's all they are really good for. But for function, get FRN, "grivory" or other plastic scales, or G10. They are inexpensive, high traction and durable. Other than making yourself feel good - which is not a bad thing - titanium and carbon fiber is just pocket jewelry.
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This, IMO. I don't like metal grips or scales. I'm not mad on slippery polymers either.

One thing to consider, plastics do get brittle in the very cold. If you drop the knife, you could have issues. If you get polymer/composite scales be sure they are readily replaceable, just IMO. I have seen fibre reinforced plastic shatter.

Also, if you have to use it to gut, eh... don't get very white plastics. I'll grant a lot of plastics are very stain resistant but the ones with textures, well, you gotta clean 'em. I don't mind scratched up or patinaed knives, they add character, but I dislike, absolutely dislike caked blood on knives, and getting rid of blood from these crevices. Arguably, on a folder, you're screwed no matter what scales you get, it's a folder, blood will get into the crevices, you can just used your fixed blade instead.

OTOH, I think Ti looks really cool, if you were going for the high end look, Ti all the way.

Do you have the option of buying Ti scales and switching to composite later if you don't like the feel? That may be the best way to reconcile first kinda cool with second kinda cool. ;)
 
G10 or CF. Both are lighter and allow a better grip.

Full metal scales don't go on a hard use knife, IMO.
 
spykez said:
This, IMO. I don't like metal grips or scales. I'm not mad on slippery polymers either.

One thing to consider, plastics do get brittle in the very cold. If you drop the knife, you could have issues. If you get polymer/composite scales be sure they are readily replaceable, just IMO. I have seen fibre reinforced plastic shatter.

Also, if you have to use it to gut, eh... don't get very white plastics. I'll grant a lot of plastics are very stain resistant but the ones with textures, well, you gotta clean 'em. I don't mind scratched up or patinaed knives, they add character, but I dislike, absolutely dislike caked blood on knives, and getting rid of blood from these crevices. Arguably, on a folder, you're screwed no matter what scales you get, it's a folder, blood will get into the crevices, you can just used your fixed blade instead.

OTOH, I think Ti looks really cool, if you were going for the high end look, Ti all the way.

Do you have the option of buying Ti scales and switching to composite later if you don't like the feel? That may be the best way to reconcile first kinda cool with second kinda cool. ;)
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Well there wont be an option to switching scales, I'm trying to pick which Grayman Satu to purchase so its between G10, carbon fiber or full ti. I guess I just really want to know if the carbon fiber will hold up on its end. I do live in a cold environment and the knife will not be pampered. I prefer to gut n skin with a fixed 3", 31/2" blades for better control and clean up. Although I've used all types folders n fixed for that job. This knife will be put more to work on cutting n hacking material rather than flesh but the wide belly on the blade will work to skin just fine. Lord knows I've skinned hundreds of deer not to mention everything else that runs in the forest.
 
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