FRN handles on Spyder fixed blades

J

JD Spydo

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Nov 20, 2004
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I've let it be known several times that the FB-05 Temperance 1 model is pretty much my favorite "hard use" Spyderco fixed blade. Over the past 2 years I've really grown fond of that model. Now I've had many guys tell me that they like the blade design but there is no way that they would have a fixed blade knife with a Fiberglass-Reinforced Nylon (FRN) handle. Personally I think they're giving FRN handled fixed blade Spyders a bad rap :(

Well I'm here to tell you that I've had a lot of "hands on" usage with both my FB05 TEmp1 models and I really like FRN handles on fixed blades. And in some respects I see a few advantages with FRN handles. Also the short time I used one of the FRN handled Spyderco FB01 Moran models I really loved it as well.

I'm thinking that maybe it would be a good idea to have FRN counterparts for some of these upper tier, premium model Spyderco fixed blade models. I'm even wondering if models like the Bushcraft might even be a great user with an FRN handle?

I bet I'm not alone liking FRN handles either. I like them especially because clean up is a breeze and I don't worry about how hard I use the blade. Corrosion or harsh environments certainly don't pose a problem with FRN handles. I truly think that for "hard use" fixed blades FRN is not only economical but many of the desirable aspects are overlooked.
 
I love FRN, on the Stretch II, and especially on the Aqua Salt. There is tons of grip and feels good in the hand. I wouldn't mind seeing and FRN Bushcraft, FRN would cut the price down some. Bring on more fixed blades.

Canis
 
I would have to agree...i love FRN...it keeps costs down, it provides tremendous grip, and i dont have to worry about messing it up too bad...i think it would be a great idea to put it on more fixed blades:thumbup:
 
Frn is my favorite handel material . Its strong can get cold or hot. easy to claen grippy when wet. awsome.

Especially on my ne Rock Salt.
 
All my Spyderco folders are FRN, and I love it. My fixed Aqua Salt is also FRN, and I don't think there could be a better handle material for it.

If you can't tell, FRN is my favorite handle material.
 
Well guys that's kind of my line of thinking as well. Now don't get me wrong because I'll always adore all my Micarta, Almite, Titanium, G-10 and stainless handled Spyders very much. But personally I love the functional aspects of FRN and I'm particularly liking it more and more on a fixed blade. I wish I could do a YOUTUBE video of my two Temp 1 models and all the punishment I've put them through in the past 2 years.

As gorgeous as the Street Beat, Temp 2, Bushcraft and other Spyderco fixed blades are I just wonder what some of those models would be like as users if they made with with optional FRN handles. Whereas you could still get a Temp 2 with the canvas Micarta handle but maybe you could also get a hard user version with an FRN handle at a bit of a reduced price.
 
I like the FRN on my Aqua Salt and folders. When I first got some G10 knives I started looking past FRN, but it really is a great material. Cheap, tough and can be molded in ways other materials can't, at least economically.

I like the idea of spyderco producing FRN versions of it's higher end knives, whether folding or fixed. FRN Military, Street Beat, Chinook etc. It'll be interesting seeing how the new FRN UKpk's do, maybe that'll have some influence on this subject.
 
The concept of frn reducing cost is a bit thin imo. Now to be fair I should point out that I am overdo for a review of my last dealings with Spyderco it should not go unsaid that Spyderco is my new favorite knife company for a reason! My reasoning is this, if it is possible to purchase a CPM S35VN mule for waaay under a billl with no scales or sheath it makes no sense to me that a retail VG10 frn fixed knife costs double or more...I don't see frn scales and a plastic sheath costing so much.
 
I'm a fan of FRN also, at least as Spyderco does it. Plenty of friction in the handle.
 
I think that people dislike FRN not because it's not a good handle material, but because it looks like cheap plastic. In other words, for aesthetic reasons. At least that's my case, as I will only buy FRN handled knives if they're cheap, and I mean really cheap. My only spydies with FRN are Ladybugs.
 
FRN is quite functional and is definitely a fine choice for an entry level priced folder. On a $200 MSRP fixed blade it's already out of place. On a $400 MSRP one, it's as bad a joke as putting a brushed on camo paint job on a $40K car.

Paul
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One of the reasons that I really got to liking FRN on fixed blades is that you can really expose it to just about any type of job with few worries. I will be the first to admit that if I had a brand new Temperance 2 model I probably would go back to my footlocker to see what else I had to use if I was going to field dress another Snapping Turtle :D

The Temp 1 model was just perfect for that job and it cleans up and looks almost new after the work is done. That's one of the reasons I abhor leather washer handles on hard use fixed blades. I had one once for deer hunting and you coudn't get the smell out of that leather no matter what you did.

FRN is just ideal for hard use and really messy fish & game processing jobs. Maybe it would be a bit much to ask for a Temp 2 with an FRN handle but it certainly wouldn't be out of line to want another good hard use fixed blade with an FRN handle and a sheath that would also be easy to clean and maintain. I'm certainly going to get me another 2 or 3 Temp 1 models if I can ever find them.

It's just a damned shame that in many cases a guy discovers just how ideal a knife is after it's already been discontinued. But Spyderco always seems to be ahead of the times and a step ahead of most knife users.
 
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