Frn

smegs

smegs

Joined
Nov 27, 2003
Messages
1,727
Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one who likes, prefers and craves more knives in FRN. My first high end folder was a Benchmade 520. My second was a Spyderco Chinook II. Wow, what a solid beast of a knife. After seeing the Endura recommended repeatedly on this board, I pulled the trigger for an Endura III. Wow, was I disappointed. Light, somewhat flexible and thin. But when I opened and closed it a few times, that resounding solid click when it locked suggested that there's more than meets the eye here.

Welp, after a few weeks in the pocket, I now thought the complete opposite. I began to marvel at it's light weight. The volcano texturing, the VG10, the lockup and the ergos continued to impress. What a steal for the price. So, a Pro-Grip, Remote Release, Calypso Jr, D'Allara, Endura Wave, Endura IV SE, both Centofantes, two Natives and a Jess Horn have wended their way into my pockets. Don't get me wrong. I really like my SS Spydies too. There's nothing like my SS Police or SS Endura IV for IWB. Seriously though, FRN has soured me on G10. I prefer FRN.

Oh yeah, I used to consider lockbacks an inferior system before the Endura III. That's another 180 for me. Theres no other lock system that's better with gloved hands than the lockback. I certainly got more than I bargained for when I bought it. Along with my purchase, I got an education about knives and value.

I need more big knives in FRN. I long for a full sized Calypso with a 3mm blade in FRN. I'm jonesin for a Military lockback in FRN. A reissue of the Catcherman haunts my dreams. I could even get used to the combo-edge. :D
 
I love FRN on my E-4. But I like G-10 on my P-Mil. It's weird but I would not want to switch them. "One" reason I put away my Hd-7 was because I wanted G-10 on both handle slabs. Hence---The Para Military.
 
I hear ya, smegs, as I too did a 180 on FRN. At first I preferred G-10 for it's great grip, but after destroying several pants pockets, I realized that FRN was much easier on the fabric. My first Police also changed my mind on SS. In my hand, the SS has an adequate grip and looks great too.

In fact, I like all the scale materials that Spyderco uses, but my pants prefer FRN and SS.
 
I like FRN for work oriented knives. It can be made in super grippy textures that are secure in your hand, yet slide in and out of your pockets with ease.

I kind of have a love/hate relationship with G10. Nice to look at...nice to feel...but the stuff grabs your pocket so hard it can practically give you a wedgie when you yank the knife out of your pants.
 
Congrats on your epiphany smegs. You obviously have risen above the carefully cultivated biases against "plastic" that so many cling to like a hungry baby to its mother's teet.
 
Glad you like FRN as much as I do. I had the same revelation happen to me about 2-3 years ago when I had just started getting into knives that were worth something. I used to just like the standard, basic, buck knife, then that all changed with a spyderco native from wally world. After that I waited patiently and bought a Pacific Salt (for fishing and other general use stuff - won't rust with H-1 steel) and then two endura 4's recently and a SS endura 4 about two weeks ago.

I used to only trust G-10 at first since my emerson commander was made out of it, but then I realized how great and light spyderco knives made of FRN are. Right now I'm carrying my spyderco endura 4 with partial serrations. I dremeled my own wave on it so I guess it's a partial serrated waved endura 4 :D.
 
zenheretic said:
Congrats on your epiphany smegs. You obviously have risen above the carefully cultivated biases against "plastic" that so many cling to like a hungry baby to its mother's teet.
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:D
your words remind me of a certain Montgomery Burns zen :p
whether its molded in a funky 3D "volcano grip" pattern or riveted on to a hearty slab of H-1, for a "hard user" knife, I like FRN as much as Micarta :thumbup:
 
i'll throw my .02 in and agree i perfer frn over g-10.....its molded peaks, volcano grip, make it MUCH gripper IMHO
 
I know the cost of new molds prohibits a lot of new FRN runs and Sal has gone above and beyond with sprint runs and new models. Maybe we can convince him to dust off a few of the old molds. Another run of PE or full SE Wayne Goddards? A flat ground VG10 Jess Horn lightweight? Pro-Grip in VG10? I think I hear a Meerkat cryin to be set free again. :D
 
Got to agree. I love the lightweight and toughness of FRN. A Wally World Native was my introduction to Spyderco and FRN recently, and I'm sold for life on both of them.

Now I EDC a FRN ZDP (cored) Calypso Jr. and love that 1.9 oz pocket scalpel. I'm really looking forward to an FRN version of the new Native IV. I sure hope it makes it to FRN.
 
Spydercos' FRN is good stuff, impervious to just about everything and grippy enough for me without being uncomfortable. I say bring on the FRN:D
 
headroom said:
I kind of have a love/hate relationship with G10. Nice to look at...nice to feel...but the stuff grabs your pocket so hard it can practically give you a wedgie when you yank the knife out of your pants.
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I sorta enjoy that mini wedgie feeling. ;)
 
Like both FRN and G-10. Depends on application. Was deciding recently on a small lockback for in town/office use. Will also be carried quite abit in the small watch pocket of jeans. For this use I prefer FRN. The knife will go in and out of the pocket several times each and every day. I want it to be easy to get out, not hard. I was trying to decide (without actually handling them) between a Spyderco Dragonfly FRN and a Blade-tech Mouse in G-10 ( I hear a great little knife). But, becaue of the finger choil and smoother FRN handle, I think I'll go with the Spyderco. Regards, - - -
 
though FRN works fine on knives i just dont care for the look, a knife will have to offer something unheard of and be available only in FRN before i ever buy another FRN handle knife again.

i'll take G10, micarta, ti any day of the week and 2X on sunday.

nothing wrong with FRN though, its plenty strong, light, just not for me anymore.
 
FRN is light, strong and grippy. All of my Spydies have FRN handles.

Ah.. forgot my Tenacious with G10 for a second there :).
 
SIFU1A said:
though FRN works fine on knives i just dont care for the look, a knife will have to offer something unheard of and be available only in FRN before i ever buy another FRN handle knife again.

i'll take G10, micarta, ti any day of the week and 2X on sunday.

nothing wrong with FRN though, its plenty strong, light, just not for me anymore.
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I'm pretty new to Spyderco having only picked up my 2nd one recently (first was a SpyderCard I got about seven years ago). - - I bought a Centofante IV and I gotta admit, I was very slightly disappointed when I first opened the box. I was thinking the plastic handles looked/felt lightweight and cheap. After carrying and using this knife for awhile, my opinion has completely changed. Quality is great, it cuts very well, and the light weight is appreciated. - I also bought a G-10 Mini-Manix and its a tank with quite a different feel than the Cento IV, but now I have no qualms about ordering FRN. As a matter of fact I'm going to get a Dragonfly in that handle material. Regards, - -
 
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