FRN Lava would be incredible!

Wow -- I'm going to have to go totally against the pack on this one. I started out with a preference for FRN grips, because my feeling was (as articulated by so many) that the textured, non-slippy slabs made for a much surer grip.

But I had a falling out with textured slabs after the Yojimbo and Dodo (both knives which I love in every other way, by the way). I like front IWB carry, and I found the aggressively textured slabs of the Yo and Dodo to be like wearing a file in my pants -- I actually got chafing burns on my stomach.

It was the Massad Ayoob and Shabaria that first gave me a sense that reasonably smooth slabs could be quite "holdable," assuming the grips were well-designed and well-fitted to my hand. A SS Cricket made me come around to the idea that totally smooth slabs could be reliably grippable.

I've since bought the Lava and Scorpius, and find them both comfortable to grip, and (equally important for me) comfortable to wear IWB. The extra weight of the slabs also help secure them to my belt without the fear that the knives will drop off. Also, the smooth slabs don't generate the sort of friction that will cause the knife to work itself loose.

So anyway, for my unique needs, I find that SS slabs work just fine! :)

Having said that -- I'm not averse to wearing an FRN Delica 4 when, for one reason or another, I don't want to walk around with a more upscale knife.
 
Sal,

Would making a run with etched SS handles be prohibitively expensive to do at its current sales rate? FRN/G10 would be nice, but the etched versions are really cool too. :cool:
 
One good thing about the Lava design is that even if it is in slippery SS; the handle conforms to your hand is such a way as to give a sturdy grip. Adding the texturing, like in the new Cricket, would just be frosting...and everyone likes frosting.
 
I have to agree. The SS handle has somewhat put me off to it, even though I really like the design & ergos. If FRN is too expensive to recoup the tooling cost, then some kind of aggressive etching or frost/beadblasting finish would go a long way for me.
 
Sal Glesser said:
SS is an excellent material for makiing a new concept. (the dropped blade on the Lava has some tricky lock work). SS is difficult to do well, all flaws show up, so it's a good "test bed". There are no "other materials" problems to deal with. SS offers a strong cosntruction with a good format for clip screws.

sal
Click to expand...

Just got my Lava and my first impressions match most of what is said here. SS can be slippery, but the ergo's of the handle minimize most of that. I like the Lava now, and it will likely grow on me even further. That being said, what I don't like is the weight. It's not horrible, but I would like to see something lighter.

What I would like would be some handle material that provides the benefits that Sal mentions, both manufacture and the economics, but would be lighter that SS. Titanium would be lighter, for example, but there might be issues with the cost and working the stuff. I'm not an expert in this.

Just my thoughts/dreams.
 
I think the SS handles are good the way they are, but etching them would make it better. A ZDP-189 Sprint run would also be great.
 
Sounds like an etched run is more in the realm of possibility. And I think I'd get one too!
 
Another vote for an etched Lava. I enlarged the Spyder hole on mine and it works better for me, Etched looks better than FRN.
 
I don't have a lava and I have not seen one in person so I could be wrong about this. Based on the pictures I have seen, the dimensions listed, and the descriptions of the texture it sounds like the lava would not provide a very good grip.

I think Chad is one of the best designers out there. I am a fan. Maybe I am missing the point of this particular design. When I see a big handle and a small blade, I think of a Swedish carving knife or a surgeon's scalpel. That kind of design allows super precision and control.

Some steel tools have a rubber style coatings on the handle. I don't have any idea if something like that would be practical. It might provide more traction and maybe add a little more width to the handle.
 
I love my lava and just about the only thing I could want changed about it is a touch more pointiness to the tip - I actually find that it fits in my hands so well that its grip design offers alot of dexterity and the only thing lacking for fine point work (eg digging out splinters etc) is err.. the fine point!
 
I have large hands and my Lava fit them great. The only improvement I would like to see is acid etching.
 
I'm about to get a lava, but I would prefer a sort of "Lava 2" with etched or micarta handles and a slightly pointier blade. But, like I said, I'm getting one as is. I'd probably get the "Lava 2" as well if it was ever made.
 
What about G-10 scales, like on the Kershaw Groove? Just slapped on top of the handle as is...
They could be screwed on, so the only adjustment in manufacturing would be a few holes tapped in the handle.
The scales could be removed easily if the user didn't want them.
They could give a lot of aesthetic appeal too.

Sal?
 
Joshua J. said:
What about G-10 scales, like on the Kershaw Groove? Just slapped on top of the handle as is...
They could be screwed on, so the only adjustment in manufacturing would be a few holes tapped in the handle.
The scales could be removed easily if the user didn't want them.
They could give a lot of aesthetic appeal too.

Sal?
Click to expand...

IMO the handle would be to thick, etching would cost less and work just fine.
 
You know what else would be really cool, is a larger-sized Lava. Same design, only bigger- let's say a 3" blade with a 4-4 1/2" handle. It's a really cool little knife, I'd like to see a bigger version that'd fill up my hand a little more.
 
redneckone said:
IMO the handle would be to thick, etching would cost less and work just fine.
Click to expand...

Too thick compared to what?
I'm sure the D'Allara, amongst other knives, would still be thicker.
I like the grip to fill my hand anyway.

On the issue of cost, using G-10 has the advantage of being roughly the same cost per unit for a run of 100 as 1,000 (I assume).
Sal has said etching requires large runs to be cost effective.
 
Joshua J. said:
Too thick compared to what?
I'm sure the D'Allara, amongst other knives, would still be thicker.
I like the grip to fill my hand anyway.

On the issue of cost, using G-10 has the advantage of being roughly the same cost per unit for a run of 100 as 1,000 (I assume).
Sal has said etching requires large runs to be cost effective.
Click to expand...

Etching requires no drilling and tapping, handle fitting, and finishing etc. 2000 etched lavas would sell.
 
How about a Lava done UKPK style? G-10 with a wire clip and a steel backspacer would be lightweight and possibly less expensive?
 
I've got a Lava on the way, and I've already been sketching out an etch/filework customization...
I love this knife for the same reason I love the cricket. It's a beautiful knife because it does exactly what it's supposed to do. An FRN handle would be lighter, but I'm not sure that you'd see any other benefit.
Maybe an aluminium handle? It'd be lighter, and with the right finish it could be a bit grippier (though I'm still not convinced that grip is the problem here.) How hard is it to switch from SS to Aluminium?
 
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