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

As mentioned above, whether or not they feel cheap really depends how they finish and texture it. Though the same can be said if materials such as G10 or carbon fiber.

Regardless I think that the benefits out weigh the draw backs, they’re light, durable, extremely strong and can be found in tons of colors.

If I were you more then simply holding one in your hand for two minutes I’d buy a used knife off the exchange here and carry and use it for a couple weeks. That way you really see what’s going on and if it turns out you don’t care for it you’ve still got a “beater” knife and your not really out that much money.
 
Given the breadth of choices available today, I just won't buy an FRN handled knife. You can get good G10 handled knives for around $50 (or $30 for a Tenacious). I know it's an economical and tough material, but I just can't stand the way it feels regardless of who makes it. Sorry.
 
My first BM was my 551 Grip in black 'Glass Fill Noryl GTX' with dual 420J SS liners, AXIS lock, and 440C blade, which required external heat to cut butter - my dullest new knife ever. Decent mechanics - eventually I re-edged it with a Spydie Sharpmaker - and started my BM collection. I deviated towards the S30V Spydie 'Native' - at the same price in a gunstore as the Grip. When WallyWorld had them at <$40, I bought two - and used one as an EDC, the other as a backup. Great razor sharp blade - works great. Sadly, it looks - to me - like a checkout register at a truckstop knife. The Grip may be similar material, but it looks professionally done. The Native has a threaded hollow bolt to secure the clip and that end of the sides, as well as perhaps take a lanyard. The other two fasteners are rivets - one being the lockbar's axle, the other being the pivot's axle. I guess you whack it if the blade develops play. The FRN appears to have metal in it, too. It works - and lasts - better than you'd think by looking at it. Sharpened, the Grip is a finer knife - it's large size making it a nore dedicated carry. It's sides are held together, the sides to the SS liners, the clip, and the large pivot screw by Torxx head fasteners. Obviously, I like it's construction more.

I carried the older Native at least twice as much as the Grip - and it's still quite tight. I guess the FRN (or Noryl...) is okay - I just prefer Ti, Micarta, G10, & Dymondwood to it. A great 'keeper' of a knife today is the BM 'Bone Collector' series - particularly, the 15020-2/15030-2 - with stabilized walnut scales. Fairly priced, too.

Stainz
 
Personally I think FRN looks and feels cheaper than Micara, G-10, carbon fiber, ect.

This is not to say that a FRN handle, cannot be nice, because they can. I have a few knives that have FRN handles that are perfectly nice knives. Without exception though, they'd all be nicer if they had, micarta, g-10 or CF handles. They'd also be more expensive though, so there is a balance.
That is my opinion anyway.
 
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