G-10 liners strength vs looks

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abcdef

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Oct 28, 2005
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I've noticed a couple of slip joint makers using G-10 for liners. Does this method make a stronger handle than a scale of equal thickness (liner + scale) of the same material?

For strength, it better to have layers vs. not? The issue gets more complicated when mixing liner and scale materials.
 
Usually slip joint liners are metal and the scales are mounted to the liners. If G-10 is a suitable material for the purpose and it looks good, then why not use it? It gets boring to use the same materials all the time.
The only issue I see with strength is if the scale material is fragile, you need to mount it to a stronger material to avoid flexing and cracking during use.
 
I am not sure about the strength, but I know for a fact that some organic material for scale may hold moisture, and having a G10 liner will act as a barrier, so rust/corrosion is less likely to develop under the scale.
 
Oof.

I read that as people are using G-10 as material for liner locks. I thought wth?

A 12 hr shift at work will do that to a person.

As others have said, I like it. Much like liners on a fixed blade, a great way to add color to a knife too.
 
I own a DPX-HEST by lionsteel that has G10 on one side with no liner. I don't care for it, especially on a "hard use" knife. I think there is the opportunity for flex. At the same time I like Spyderco's native 5 in g10 without liners, different applications.
 
I think this is what we're talking about? Seems mostly cosmetic but if a material was hard to attach the thin G10 sheet could be helpful.

nordsmith-lapwing-handle.jpg
 
Danke42 said:
I think this is what we're talking about? Seems mostly cosmetic but if a material was hard to attach the thin G10 sheet could be helpful.

nordsmith-lapwing-handle.jpg
Click to expand...
I think the OP was specifically talking about slip joint knives.
 
The Kershaw Skyline and Atmos, the Spyderco Native 5 G10, and the Cold Steel Recon 1 are some examples of knives use G10 as a structural material and they work well, ranging from light duty to heavy duty. G10 is great stuff, it's really tough so you'd have to be trying to break it to succeed. I had my doubts about G10 at first, but after really using knives made in it I would say the material is probably on par with or better than aluminum or brass, depending on the application.

The big advantages of G10 are that it does not corrode, nothing soaks in when water or chemicals get on it, and it's ridiculously light for its strength. The only drawbacks I can think of are that it does need to be sufficiently thick, otherwise it could flex too much or snap, and washers do need to be used to reinforce pivots and other heavy wear areas. As an example, in the case of the Atmos there is a steel washer that the bearings ride on to separate them from the G10 as they will eventually cut into it and loosen up the blade.

I would assume they are trying to reduce maintenance and weight in a slipjoint by making the liners out of G10, and for a non locking blade it should be more than strong enough.
 
Danke42 said:
Like this, I'd still call it cosmetic.
Raindydayknives_rdk1minidinoslipjoint_knifejoy05__11717.1567612755.jpg
Click to expand...

The description for that knife says there are titanium liners under the scales, which would make it entirely cosmetic.
This RDK slipjoint is based on the “Mini Dino” pattern. The blade and backspring are ceramic blasted AEB-L. The scales are houndstooth brown and green micarta w/orange G10 liners. The liners are mill relieved titanium.​
 
OrangeBlueOrangeBlue said:
The description for that knife says there are titanium liners under the scales, which would make it entirely cosmetic.
This RDK slipjoint is based on the “Mini Dino” pattern. The blade and backspring are ceramic blasted AEB-L. The scales are houndstooth brown and green micarta w/orange G10 liners. The liners are mill relieved titanium.​
Click to expand...
There are titanium liners in there?
 
Danke42 said:
It would be nice to know the specific makers/models that sparked the discussion.
Click to expand...

I don't know to whom the OP is referring, but Todd Davison has made a number of knives with G-10 liners recently, such as this one (#1882):

1882AAA.jpg
 
danbot said:
There are titanium liners in there?
Click to expand...

Every other variation of that knife (Rainy Day Knives Mini Dino Slip Joint) I’ve seen has anodized titanium liners and single-material scales. The liners are probably nested into the scales on this one, but it’s also possible that they’re orange-anodized titanium and the description is wrong (the makers mark on the scale is orange G10, so that may be the source of confusion).

Raindydayknives_rdk1minidinoslipjoint_knifejoy01__51448.1567612705.jpg
 
I noticed Todd first, then saw this one in the sale forum today - AEBL Richlite Slipjoint. New trend?
 
Micarta, G-10, and carbon fibre linerless shadow slipjoints and lockbacks have existed for quite a while. Usually in smaller knives, ie: ones that don't need the extra strength or stiffness of metal handle materials. Heck, look at a few decades worth of Spyderco FRN handled knives.
 
abcdef said:
Does this method make a stronger handle than a scale of equal thickness (liner + scale) of the same material?

For strength, it better to have layers vs. not?
Click to expand...
I think the strength difference is probably minimal if any. The only issue I could see is if there isn't a good bond between the layers, leading to separation over time.

Personally, it's not something I'd even be concerned about because either should be strong enough for anything I would use a folding knife for.
 
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