G-10 vs.FRN durability

A

arty

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Which of these handle materials is stronger, more abrasion resistant, and "better?" G10 looks nicer, but is it as strong and abrasion resistant as FRN?

Are there any solvents that should be avoided with these materials? The catalog says that G10 is resistant to solvents, but are there any that could be a problem here (like Carburator cleaner)? I only ask, because I can imagine getting a knife full of muck if it is used for fishing.
 
That is a good question.

There have been other in-depth posts about this topic in the past month or two. Maybe one of the premiere members can do a search and post a link?
 
FRN works great but it's not as hard as G-10. Let's say you use the handle to lever off a beer cap, the FRN will gouge while the G-10 will be unaffected.
 
I've read that G-10 will split between layers if impacted at the wrong angle. FRN just dents and stainless steel handles are impervious to just about anything.
What G-10 does do best is lightweight and rigid, which are both highly desirable in a knife.
 
AF said:
FRN works great but it's not as hard as G-10. Let's say you use the handle to lever off a beer cap, the FRN will gouge while the G-10 will be unaffected.
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Or chip. I've seen G-10 handled Spydercos that looked like a dog gnawed on the perimeter of the scales from just that.

Both materials have their strengths and weaknesses. All things being equal, G-10 will be more rigid but, for that very reason, will crack more easily. As has been noted, FRN can be gouged. It can also deform if brutalized severely enough and will melt if subjected to open flame, a soldering iron, or other source of high heat. At extreme levels of abrasion FRN will abrade more easily. Sanding down an FRN handle is pretty easy. Yet in normal use the texture on Spyderco G-10 begins to wear smooth fairly quickly while the texture on FRN knives remains.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
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It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
arty said:
Which of these handle materials is stronger, more abrasion resistant, and "better?" G10 looks nicer, but is it as strong and abrasion resistant as FRN?

Are there any solvents that should be avoided with these materials? The catalog says that G10 is resistant to solvents, but are there any that could be a problem here (like Carburator cleaner)? I only ask, because I can imagine getting a knife full of muck if it is used for fishing.
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I think FRN is much more resistant to impact than G10, but G10 is more resistant to abrasion. However, FRN is usually grippier, due to the molded texture. G10 is more rigid, but is also more prone to chipping. FRN can be gouged and melted, but it won't chip. Both seem to be equally resistant to solvents.

My vote goes to FRN. I prefer its light weight, flexibility, grippiness and resistance to impact over the rigidity of the heavier G10. I think it's just as durable and it's certainly less expensive.
 
Also, FRN (Endura, Delica IV style) offer better traction. It really shines when drawing the knife from your pocket. Those little molded divots are like octopus suction cups. It's so good that I really don't want to carry anything else. Especially at work where my hands get oily or greasy. Man, I wish I could get a Military with those handles.
 
shangchi108 said:
I think FRN is much more resistant to impact than G10, but G10 is more resistant to abrasion. However, FRN is usually grippier, due to the molded texture. G10 is more rigid, but is also more prone to chipping. FRN can be gouged and melted, but it won't chip. Both seem to be equally resistant to solvents.

My vote goes to FRN. I prefer its light weight, flexibility, grippiness and resistance to impact over the rigidity of the heavier G10. I think it's just as durable and it's certainly less expensive.
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You beat me to it. :D In every technical aspect, FRN beats G10 hands down IMO. Cheaper price is icing on the cake.
 
As for solvents, have not done any testing, but I suspect things like MEK might melt FRN. They may have a negative effect on G-10 and CF as well. Also think it possible that some or all of them would "frost" if exposed to cyanoacrylate fumes.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
It's also a question of "feeling". I mean, I think FRN feels cheap, whereas G10 just feels so solid and thus more expensive and qualitative.
 
stoffi said:
It's also a question of "feeling". I mean, I think FRN feels cheap, whereas G10 just feels so solid and thus more expensive and qualitative.
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Whereas I think that G-10, especially when new, feels like a lump of concrete, while FRN is much more comfortable to handle. I wish it was used on a lot more knives than it is in the Spyderco lineup. Things like the recent Stretch FRN and the upcoming UKPK FRN versions make me happy.
 
G10 can be made to be very grippy or smooth. Kershaw made their 1st Random Task ? #1510 with G10 that was as smooth as polished wood. They made another G10 model (Onion stud lock) that users were complaining was so grippy there were complaints of pockets getting ripped and too rough on hands. So G10 can be made in a # of different ways.
I think G10 is much more durable than FRN. I believe the 1st custom maker that used G10 was Mad Dog.There was a Blade Mag.article in the 90's that mentioned he tested G10 on several chemicals that soldiers may come across and he (Kevin McClung ?) thought G10 was the best material at the time.
 
Here's a link from maddogknives.com from an old Fighting Knives Mag. that has info on G11 handels. I miss that magazine.
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stoffi said:
It's also a question of "feeling". I mean, I think FRN feels cheap, whereas G10 just feels so solid and thus more expensive and qualitative.
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No offense, but I seriously doubt you could "feel" the difference between two otherwise identical knifes, one with smooth G-10 scales, the other with smooth FRN scales. Would be kind of like trying to "feel" the difference between smooth ivory and smooth bone.

Personally, I think that while the textured finish Spyderco insists on using on G-10 does aid traction, it looks terrible.

Paul
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My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Kiwimania ---- Spydiewiki
Dead horses beaten, sacred cows tipped, chimeras hunted when time permits.
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
It's easy to grin when your ship comes in and good fortune and fame are your lot, but the man worthwhile is the man who can smile with his shorts twisted up in a knot. - Morey Amsterdam
 
The Deacon said:
No offense, but I seriously doubt you could "feel" the difference between two otherwise identical knifes, one with smooth G-10 scales, the other with smooth FRN scales.
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I can feel the difference.
I'm a G-10 junky though; LOVE the stuff.:)
 
I just bought a Graham Bros. knife with G11 handles and while it doesn't feel any different from G10, it must be a good deal denser. It almost rings when you tap it with metal (like a wedding ring).
 
stabman said:
I can feel the difference.
I'm a G-10 junky though; LOVE the stuff.:)
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I too am addicted to G10, and Micarta too. I can tell the difference blindfolded. The friction scale is something like this (all polished): wood < linen Micarta < canvas Micarta < FRN < G10.

As for toughness, the battle rages on. Unfortunately, the G10 camp always seems to come back to the "quality feel" argument. I agree that the less a material feels like the cheap plastics we're accustomed to, the better we assume the quality is. Perception is reality, you know. I personally doubt that G10 or Micarta or whatever comes along next will be substantially better than FRN, but I'll keep the buying the others anyway.
 
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