G-10 or Carbon Fiber--What's your preference??

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marlin39d

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Sep 26, 2004
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I've never had a knife with carbon fiber handle but have several with G-10. So my question is which do you prefer and which one is the best material for a knife handle in your opinion???
 
In terms of practical use, i.e., durability, based on the experience I've had with my Benchmades, I'd say they're about even. CF has an almost jewel like characteristic in that the pattern "moves" in the light like certain gem stones.

The texture on either G-10 or CF depends on how the material was cut, and if the material was polished. I have a LE BM730CFHS that has a rough textured CF handle. It's nice and "grippy." I had another Ares modified by Chax Knives also with CF handles. That one was polished and showed more of the CF pattern...slightly less grippy, but more dressy.

If you're going for a pure user, I'd stick with G-10. For something different, and maybe more eye catching, you can try CF.
 
Not sure if it's true, but my cousin, when she was talking about g10. She saids something like "G10, this stuff is similar to carbon fiber, but if you get blood on you hands, you won't loose your grip."

That probably won't be a problem for you, or me, but just something to think about. :D
 
CF has an edge in appearance, it is defenitely more visually appealing than G-10. Both materails are good for knife handles and are pretty strong to withstand real use. G-10 however has a slight edge in a real hard use knife in my opinion. For one thing I think it will show less wear than a CF scale as it doesn't need to be finished toas high a standard to get good results. G-10 also comes in a highly textured version such as what is on Strider knives that can be good for a real rought use knife.

As with many other things there really is not absolute best, it depends on what you want the knife for, and personal preference.
 
depends on the knife in question to me, and how they are made (ie the REKAT sifu had CF scales, and they were funky 'cuz the scales were only a shell, IIRC, while i love the microtech LCC with the CF scales and ti bolsters)

but, in general, i prefer carbon fibre myself


greg
 
I think they are about equal. You often see carbon finished with a high polish to it but it doesn't have to be that way. JW Smith uses a beadblasted carbon fiber for his handles sometimes and it has a great texture to it providing a lot of grip. That is probably my favorite overall because it has the better looks of carbon and the added grip normally associated with G10.
 
I guess I prefer G-10.

It just feels more substantial.
I know that Carbon Fiber is probably even stronger than G-10 and that it is designed to be light-weight, but it's hard to overcome the "heavy is strong" mentality--maybe one day I will.

Allen.
 
Does carbon fiber soak up liquid? The only carbon fiber I have used was in a ball-bearing mechanism and it seemed to like liquids. Maybe on knives there is a waterproof finish over the top??
 
If you're talking G-10 and CF, there are customs out there that combine the two beautifully. There are folders that have G-10 handle scales with carbon fiber bolsters. The part sticking out from you hand in view is the CF looking good, while the G-10 being more grippy is doing it's job while concealed in the hand.
 
There are many different kinds of carbon fiber (CF). There are different weaves, different sized weaves and different colored epoxies. Asking a question about CF without specifying the type is like asking if steel makes a good blade. The last comment was not meant to flame anyone.

The is no question CF is tougher than G10. Airplanes are a good example. The only place I've seen G10 used in an airplane is in a power distribution panel as an insulator. CF is used on main body structures like floor beams. It is used on control surfaces like elevators, ailerons and flaps. The latest commercial airplanes have entire horizontal stabilizers made from CF. Most of the CF on airplanes is not the cool looking stuff we are used to. It is ugly. Most people don't even know it is CF when they see it.

When CF is bead blasted is is very grippy. If sanded to 400 grit is is smooth but not slippery. The highly polished clear epoxy CF is smooth and slippery. CF can be made to fit the needs of the knife.

There are two reasons CF is not used more in the knife industry. Cost and safety. CF sheet is very expensive. Compared to G10, CF costs almost 4 times more. Safety is a huge issue. If you breathe enough CF dust you will die. The same amount of G10 dust will make you sick.

Here are a few cross sections of carbon fiber sheet:

CF-Examples-s.jpg
 
thanks for the info Chuck. Which type would you say is most commonly used in knifemaking?

Nitin
 
neetones said:
Which type would you say is most commonly used in knifemaking?
Click to expand...
Most factory knives have the clear epoxy/basket weave pattern.

Custom knifemakers are much more adventurous. I have a knife from Trace Rinaldi with CF from an F18 wing. It is a two over/one under pattern with black epoxy. I think it looks great. We use it all the time.
 
I'd like to see a CF handled knife made from the kind of CF that my mountain bike's bar ends are made from. No pictures, sorry (don't even know what brand they are), but they're randomly patterend (if that isn't an oxymoron). I think it'd look great with a forged (not damasteel) damascus blade.

Ya'll might think this is strange, but none of my knives have carbon fiber nor G10 nor micarta. Zytel, titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum is all I have. I'm looking hard at the new CF handled Microtech CMTX5 though. A 2-tone one might look especially nice.
 
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