FRN scales - Do they feel as cheap as they look?

00ChevyScott

00ChevyScott

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Been looking at the Spyderco Endura or Delica for another possible EDC blade so I don't put my new Manix 2 through too much use. I have a Spyderco Tenacious, but the G10 used isn't the best, and the blade steel is less than ideal. I'd love to pick up another Spyderco, and something in VG10 or 154CM, but when I look at pictures of those two knives, the FRN looks like it's cheap plastic. I think I might just have to go hold on in a store to really get a good answer for this, but I did recently hold a Benchmade Mini-grip and I did not really like how the handle felt. Is the mini grip made of FRN as well?
 
I have no problem with Spyderco's FRN and like it better than the feel of the Griptillians. That said, you sound like you won't like it so I'd recommend spyderco's carbon fiber.
 
Personally, and just my opinion, FRN isn't pretty but it does have a 30 year track record so it must fit some niche.

EDIT: corrected by Freedom.
 
I agree with hoopster. Benchmade's FRN on the Griptilians feels cheaper...it might be because the grippies don't have full steel liners while the Delicas and Enduras have nested, skeletonized liners. I personally really like Spyderco's FRN. The texturing on it is also very good.
 
The minigrip is not made of FRN. the handles are made of something called Valox. Valox is a polyester resin where FRN is a mix of fiberglass and nylon. Spyderco's FRN is very comfortable and incredibly strong. but a lot of the feel of the handle has to do with how it's molded. the Valox in the benchmade mini barrage has a different feel than the minigrp due to the texture they gave it in manufacturing. if you have a knife dealer near by go and handle some knives and see if you like them. if not buy from an online retailer with a good return policy.
 
I love what Spyderco does with their FRN, so much so that I've never had the desire to get the G-10 versions of the Endura or Delica (two of my favorite knives). The texturing and other ergonomic features of the FRN are really well though-out, and it's very lightweight and strong.

As for the feel -- since that's what you're really asking about -- I much prefer the feel of FRN Spydercos to that of Benchmades with similar materials (i.e., thermoplastics such as Valox). The main reason, I think, is that they're thinner than the Benchmades, which keeps them from having that "hollow" feel that, for instance, the full-size Griptilian does. The fact that they're more aggressively textured may play a role as well.

But I'd definitely suggest going to a store and handling one before you buy, since even if every person who posts in this thread says they like Spyderco's FRN scales, that's no guarantee that you will too.
 
the frn on my lw harseys is awesome feeling, i like better than g10 or micarta. the frn on my cheyenne isn't bad, but not as grippy as my cheyenne in g10.
 
Can't speak to the Spyderco's, nor to FRN scales in particular, but...

I do have a Fallkniven U2 folder with full FRN handle (i.e. no steel liners) and the overall feel is quality. The material also performs very well. Good quality FRN is tough stuff.

Kevin
 
Would you equate the feeling of FRN more to plastic or to a very hard rubber? I've held cheap plastic knives before that have looked very similar to the two Spydercos, so that is probably why I'm hesitant to buy one, but I'll have to go handle a few of them to see if they feel better than what I perceive of them.
 
Not exactly like plastic, certainly not like cheap plastic. But definately more like plastic than hard rubber.

Kevin
 
Yeah they feel not nearly as luxurious as a Titanium or a Micarta or Carbon Fibre handle. But they are practical, light, strong and offer a very good value. And if they are well textured like the Delica offer excellent traction. So I don't k is what you mean by cheap but they feel like I well Made product that is plastic.
 
00ChevyScott said:
Would you equate the feeling of FRN more to plastic or to a very hard rubber?
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The former. If you were to have an untextured, unmolded sheet of FRN in front of you, it'd feel just like an untextured, unmolded sheet of Valox -- that is, like a plastic. What makes the difference with Spyderco's FRN isn't the feel of the material itself, but the shape they mold it into (texturing, thickness, etc.), as well as the steel liners they have it mounted on.
 
For me though to the question at hand. I prefer spyderco FRN to Benchmades plastic
 
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Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to go handle them at the local Cabelas or something to get a true feel for them. If I don't like them, what's a decently priced carbon fiber Spyderco? I wish I could afford a Para 2 CF S90V, but that's just too much money for me. I'm guessing something like a Sage would be the cheapest CF Spyderco?
 
00ChevyScott said:
Thanks for the info guys. I'll have to go handle them at the local Cabelas or something to get a true feel for them.
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Why wouldn't you look at one (and handle it) first before you posted online that FRN "looks cheap?"
Kind of an inflammatory subject line if you ask me.

pete
 
00ChevyScott said:
Because they do look cheap? It was a simple question.
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Very simple, I agree.
How do you know they "look cheap" if you've never gone and seen (or handled) one in person?
I'm sure lots of folks own them and don't think they "look cheap."
Just seems like an odd way to strike up a conversation with other knife enthusiasts.

pete
 
Maniacal Pete said:
Very simple, I agree. How do you know they "look cheap" if you've never gone and seen one in person?

pete
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I have seen them in person, just never held one. I should've while I was there, but had already bugged the guy to pull the benchmade out of the case. Wasn't there to buy anything so I let them help other customers who were actually looking to purchase something.
 
in my experience FRN has never failed me in my regulare EDC ie; Heavy gage rope cutting, Box cutting, plastic cutting, and food prep. i also fall on it alot doing parcore type stuff
 
The FRN that Sypderco uses neither looks nor feels cheap. It's one of my favorite handle materials; feels much better in hand than textured G-10 or metal.
 
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