G-10 handles or FRN Handles

[Chiro75]

Ah, come on, it's not that bad! For a little job like this you could just use wet/dry sand paper, too, and make sure it's good and wet. You'll get a nasty sludge that forms, but just rinse and you're fine. No need to use a respirator if you use plenty of water to soak up the G-10 dust.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

G-10 is probably the best all-around handle material available. Light, tough and gives an excellent grip. I have no problems with FRN; I actually like it unlike most most people. However, FRN isn't even in the same league as G-10.

 

[joshuabougie]

I wonder a little about the impact resistance on G10 though. I dropped my knife on the pavement when getting out of my vehicle and picked it up to find some small dents in the handle. Looking closer at it I could see multiple layers separated and I could flake them off with my fingernail. I was able to sand the indentations out, but comparing it to FRN, I think FRN holds up a little better to impact damage.

 

[klattman]

I wonder a little about the impact resistance on G10 though. I dropped my knife on the pavement when getting out of my vehicle and picked it up to find some small dents in the handle. Looking closer at it I could see multiple layers separated and I could flake them of with my fingernail. I was able to sand the indentations out, but comparing it to FRN, I think FRN holds up a little better to impact damage.

Interesting. I wonder how they would hold up at -40 degrees (I've been to AK in the winter, but never dropped it). I suspect FRN may become brittle, while the fibrous G10 would fare better. Anyone from the frozen north?

 

[dennis75]

I wonder a little about the impact resistance on G10 though. I dropped my knife on the pavement when getting out of my vehicle and picked it up to find some small dents in the handle. Looking closer at it I could see multiple layers separated and I could flake them of with my fingernail. I was able to sand the indentations out, but comparing it to FRN, I think FRN holds up a little better to impact damage.

it's true. G10 is slightly brittle and can pieces can get chipped off on hard impacts, such as dropping it on the floor. i've had this happen on some Buck-Striders and my Spyderco Mili

 

[stieg]

FRN all the way!

Er, no not really, I just felt like it wasn't getting any votes. FRN does feel light and cheap. And it is light and cheap. So that's both good and bad.

I gotta back up Shann here. FRN makes a good, light knife. Sure it doesn't feel quite as good as G10, but it's light, tough and get's the job done.

I really appreciate a lightweight knife. I have many heavier ones, but I tend to carry my lighter ones (which seem to be mostly FRN) more often because of the weight. I just have too much crap in my pockets to add a heavy knife to the mix.

 

[Ratcoon]

Hi,

I'm from Edmonton, but right now the lowest temp so far is about -25 Celcius.
I have a FRN (Endura) and a G10. I'll bring my knives out when it's -35 Celcius. Temp lower than -35 happens but briefly although I remembered sometimes it lasted a whole week. Winter temp are really quite unpredictable.

 

[allenC]

I agree with Joshuabougie and Dennis75,
G-10 is no doubt stronger than FRN in some respects, but not in all respects.

I also have a couple of G-10 folders that have been dropped and had the handle chipped and dinged (Spyderco G-10 Police and Benchmade 722).

But I've dropped my Endura plenty of times and it looks as good as the day I bought it.

The G-10 does have much less handle flex though.

Allen.

 

[Quiet Storm]

IMO G-10 is tougher and grippier and doesn't feel as cheap as FRN/Zytel.

 

[Zerileous]

I only have experience with steel and FRN. I had a leek, then i got a Cal Jr. When i got it, it felt really cheepo, but ppl said FRN was a good material so I gave it a shot. I have come to appreciate the light weight. FRN allows a lower price and is still a very good material IMO.

Just get what suits you. Which is more important, a PE knife or G10 handles, you will have to decide.

 

[Bowzer]

I have never owned a high-quality G-10 handle/scale knife but I like its grippiness. It seems a lot less slick than FRN and it definitely seems more solid. Some here have indicated that it has low impact strength. I have no experience with that. I really like FRN for the lightness factor and some really good knives come exclusively with an FRN handle. Pick what you like better would be my recomendation.