Carbon fiber handles? Like them? Love them?

L

Lynn Grififth Knives

Joined
Jul 30, 1999
Messages
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Curious to find out your take on Carbon Fiber. I just got some and just started working it. It seem that if you contour it, you loose the standard carbon fiber look, but it still is cool. Do you like it flat, like it usually is? Would you like it contoured, if it made the pattern look sporatic? Any comments of durability of Carbon Fiber? Pros? Cons?

Thanks,

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Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
I really like the looks of the stuff and have been using it a lot, but I don't see any functional advantage unless you're using it in an application where its strength/weight really matters (e.g. unsupported scales on a folder).

I dislike the looks of it when contoured, and (contrary to my normal practice) try to leave as many flat surfaces as possible. It only really "shines" in a full polish, but it's also very slippery like that. There are many different weaves and I have some info from Carver that says the fibers themselves range from 50-70% of the mixture. I can see this in samples I have from a couple of sources - some has lots of resin and widely spaced fibers, other pieces have an almost solid "graphite" look. There are also unwoven varieties and I'm finding some "mixes" too.

I like CF a lot but I'd definitely classify it as a "looks over function" material unless the strength is an issue, as I described. I think it looks lousy in a rough finish (I wouldn't bead-blast pearl, either
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), so grip suffers. It's also a bit brittle around the edges, like some fancier materials.

-Drew
 
I much prefer CF to G-10 and most other laminates. William Henry uses a contoured handle, without sacrificing the look of the materiel and taking full advantage of the inherent strength by using a single liner in their CF line.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
nt



[This message has been edited by ET (edited 22 November 1999).]
 
Lynn,
I like carbon fiber! Down here in FL we have a wild a crazy sport know as airboat racing!! The best part about the racing is that when it's all over the lake is quiet and there are usually broken carbon fiber props laying around!
I've found some very nice pieces and made some nice handles out of it. It looks very different from the material sold by the knifemakers suppliers. I'm about out of my supply right now so I'll have to go to another race. If I get more good pieces, I'll send you some.
Neil

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[This message has been edited by Dr.Lathe (edited 09 November 1999).]
 
Dr. Lathe is cool for a variety of reasons! BTW, Lathemeister, I have those blades ready for you, so prepare yourself!
wink.gif
I'll be interested to see your impressions. Anyway, back to the topic...I have used carbon fiber on one small knife, pictures of which I do not have uploaded yet, but I will by the end of the week if all goes as planned. I found it incredibly easy to cut and shape with common Dremel accessories and sandpaper...much more so than woods (which can scorch) and Micartas. I loved the way I could work it. I HATED the dust and the dangers it poses, though, so unless I get a fancy air collection system in the future, it's the last time I'll use it. I prefer the contoured look over the flat look. Breaking up the pattern is a nice idea to me. I got a nice satin finish on mine with 600 grit sandpaper, I think, and it leaves a smooth but very grippy surface behind.

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I am working on a contoured CF handle today. If you in the post don't mind, I will post it here (this thread) tonight, when it is finished. Let me know if you think that is appropriate, and if you would like to see it.

Thanks,

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
I'd love to see what you come up with.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA


 
Please post it here. I`m very interested!

As for CF vs. G-10, I really like the looks of polished G-10 more than the polished CF. But that`s just me.....
 
I decided to just post the picture on my website. It is on the "Back Up Series" Page. Make sure you it refresh if you have been there before. The knife is the "Texan" w/Carbon Fiber scales (contoured instead of left flat) In real life pattern is very sporatic, resembling a slab of meteorite (what it looks like to me anyway). Take a look, and let me know what you think.

Thanks,

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com


[This message has been edited by Lynn Grififth Knives (edited 09 November 1999).]
 
i have to say that the contoured handle looks great. i don't have any myself. i gave a cf ladybug to my friend that i rounded the edges on. that looked pretty cool, but i didn't want to try the whole thing in case i would have screwed it up. now i would do it.
 
Lynn; VERY handsome knife. You are to be congratulated on your artistic as well as mechanical skills. Well done indeed. Walt
 
Leroy, and Walt,
Thank you both very much. I am also pleased with the way it came out. Tomorrow I will be finishing one of my knives with yet another new handle material for me, Light Blue G10. I hope it comes out as nicely as that Carbon Fiber.

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Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com



[This message has been edited by Lynn Grififth Knives (edited 09 November 1999).]
 
I just added a high resolution picture of the Carbon Fiber handle. Click on the Carbon Fiber Texan, to link to the High Resolution picture. Don't forget to refresh the gallery page.

Thanks,

------------------
Lynn Griffith
Available knives now listed on
My website
GriffithKN@aol.com

 
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