Carbon Fiber tough?

B

BostonBull

Joined
Dec 15, 2007
Messages
154
I just received my new GB in the mail a couple days ago. I love it, great design, smooth as silk, light, and surprisingly sharp out of the box.

I know CF is strong, but is it tough? Will this knife withstand a good beating, drop, toss? Can i smack things with the butt end when needed like I could my BM grip, and not worry about the CF being shattered in my hand? I'm not talking hammering in spikes with it.
 
if you strike somethin with the butt of your GB there are great chances that the liners touch before the CF, they will dent but i guess you don't care much. for the carbon, take care, the taiwan twill isn't solid, the 3d layer on surface is glued to a solid base, that's the only way to get the 3D effect. the surface layer may shatter but it will remain functional.
 
I've been wondering, what is the solid base under the CF layer? Is that CF too or something else?
 
It appears that the very top layer of CF is a weaved pattern while the underlying layers are normal CF. As for strength, the entire piece should be equally strong. I'm sure the entire structure is held together by the same epoxy resin. It's not like the top layer would peel off unless the impact is strong enough to damage a large section.

I've dropped my Sage 1 on concrete and didn't even suffer a noticeable scratch. That doesn't mean it can't get damaged, it's just that the pattern hides scratches well. I have smoothly polished CF scales that have marks and scratches from use.
 
I don't mean to sound like an ass, but maybe you should not use a knife in the manner you described. I mean, if you have to in an emergency situation, that's one thing. But, using it to pound on things, etc. on a daily basis may not be the best idea.
 
Orion's Belt said:
I don't mean to sound like an ass, but maybe you should not use a knife in the manner you described. I mean, if you have to in an emergency situation, that's one thing. But, using it to pound on things, etc. on a daily basis may not be the best idea.
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Or, at least don't use something as nice as the GB...something in FRN might suit you better if you're literally beating on it like that
 
I've dropped my Sage1 on concrete and tile multiple times without a mark to be found on it. I'm sure it's possible to chip or scratch but it hasn't happened to mine yet.
 
Never said it would be on a daily basis? I bought this knife as a TOOL, first and foremost. I use my tools to their capacity, and wanted to be sure that the CF could take some abuse from me before I found out the hardway. My office is anywhere from 10'-100' above ground in trees, not the safest environtment for tools.

This knife is making me smile everytime I use, BTW!
 
BostonBull said:
Never said it would be on a daily basis? I bought this knife as a TOOL, first and foremost. I use my tools to their capacity, and wanted to be sure that the CF could take some abuse from me before I found out the hardway. My office is anywhere from 10'-100' above ground in trees, not the safest environtment for tools.

This knife is making me smile everytime I use, BTW!
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In your case, a lengthy lanyard sounds like a good idea. I'm not opposed to putting the knife to hard use, after all as you said, it's a tool. But as strong as CF is, it's relatively brittle.

Of the most common synthetic materials, I hear micarta is toughest, G-10 next, and CF last. An unlucky drop from height onto a rock would do some damage.
 
I agree with tethering the knife to you. I prefer not to lose or unnecessarily damage any of my tools. The lanyard hole on the GB is even piped for serious use.

On my GB, it looks like the proud liners will protect the CF from most impacts. CF isn't particularly impact resistant, but the CF on the GB being relatively thin and having the backing of the SS liners helps a lot.
 
I agree. I've chipped CF scales in normal daily use - where Micarta and G-10 might only get a little scratch. CF seems more brittle to me - even though it is very strong.

TedP
 
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