CF, FRN, G10, or...

[on_the_edge]

I know there are a few other choices, but I'm primarily interested in these three. If you feel like posting your reasons in this thread, please do. Just vote please!

 

[al3xd4gr34t]

I like all 3 for handle materials. FRN would probably be the lightest or the 3, and can be made to have good traction, like the volcano patterns of the Delica and Endura series. FRN can also be made in a lot of colors, but as far as I know, only 1 solid color.

G10 is very grippy. When I had a Tenacious, it felt like it was going no where when I held it in my hands. G10 can also be done in a lot of colors, and can have patterns, like on the Digi Cam Military.

CF is the nicest looking and feeling, IMO, of the 3. If done like the peel pry of the Manix 2 S90V, the traction of it is comparable to G10. However, it can also be done to have very poor traction as well. Some Carbon Fiber is super smooth, but looks really nice. Some is super grippy, but the looks of it are more subdued.

Of the 3, I would choose Carbon Fiber, because it looks really nice, feels good in my hands, and can have adequate traction for normal use.

 

[D1omedes]

I really like the FRN, Volcano grip on my Salt 1. Spyderco does a great job with their FRN handles and manage to make very light knives with FRN. In addition, FRN can be made for a host of different colors (black, yellow, pink, foliage green, blue, etc.).

FRN is also very easy to clean and is cheaper to produce. Two huge pluses for us knife collectors on a budget.

 

[32055]

I voted for FRN. It's light, I like the colors and the feel of it.
I can usually afford an FRN knife as well. That's why I was
able to get my Stretch. Hasn't left my pocket.

 

[chuck buck]

i used to only consider g-10 and CF but now completely prefer FRN after using it.

 

[on_the_edge]

It's still pretty early in the life of this thread, but I must say that I am a little surprised that G10 is taking a pretty good comparative lead here.

 

[jiggyfly16]

titanium

 

[Jake Bauer]

I'm voting FRN cause thats pretty much all I have right now in my spydies. I have the Tenacious, but iirc, golden made G10 is a lot better.

 

[Joshua J.]

I used to go for G-10 because of the price/performance ratio. But now that I have two CF Militarys, a ZDP Caly 3, and a Superhawk. I've come to appreciate the stuff (very rigid).
I know it is kind of a waste, since we'll probably use it to make beverage containers in the future. It's just nice to have anyway.

 

[randomlooker]

Don't have any knives with CF handles, but between FRN and G-10, I like FRN better. G-10 handle slabs feel like holding a chunk of concrete.

 

[Josh K]

So difficult! Love the CF, love the G-10, and probably the best FRN work done on a production knife.

I still think G-10 is the best on certain knives.

 

[jesse2205]

CF is a great looking and feeling material, but G-10 gets my vote. G10 looks great as well and is grippy and tough for an EDC. For those hard use jobs I really like the FRN tho.

 

[The Deacon]

Jigged bone between stainless steel bolsters for me.

Paul

My Personal Website - - - - - - A Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting - - - - - - Kiwimania
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[orthogonal1]

I voted G10, since Spyderco's G10 has been one of the better versions of the material for some time.

Still, Spyderco's grippy is better than many versions of that material, also.

 

[shunsui]

Not a big fan of foliage green, but I do like black G10.

 

[knerd]

I like the G10 on my para, the FRN on my E4 is nice but the G10 takes the cake. I haven't handled the CF yet, but I'm sure it's nice as well.

 

[Tony8179]

If it can't be Titanium, I'll go Carbon Fiber. I like the woven feel on the Sage and Terz Slipit the best, then Peel Ply, and finally the smooth stuff.

 

[DaveReb]

I'm not a fan of plastic FRN handles, and the CF knives I own/owned, the Native 4, Caly 3 ZDP, and Sage, I found to be to slick. So in my limited experience I'll take the grippier G10.

Dave

 

[dc50]

I was G10 all the way, until I purchased a Stretch in FRN.
The grip on this model is fantastic!

 

[Supmonkeyface]

I like that CF is taking second now. Such a beautiful material.