Handle material impact strength

The Aflac Duck

The Aflac Duck

Joined
Feb 27, 2014
Messages
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Ok, I don't want this to turn ugly, so let's keep this based upon scientific evidence or personal experience only. I used the search function and didn't get my answers, also, please move this if I'm in the wrong area.

So I was at work today and dropped my micarta inlay sebenza from a scaffold roughly 10-15 feet onto solid concrete; left a little chip in the edge and a few scratches, oh well. But I couldn't help but wonder, what if that was my zt 0454? (I often carry it to work)

Would carbon fiber scales on any knife survive a 10-15 foot drop? For some reason, I wouldn't worry about micarta/G10 dropping that distance, but something like CF I would worry about cracking/chipping. I have no evidence for this claim, it's just what I would imagine.

Does anybody have any experience or evidence on what materials (micarta, carbon fiber, G10) would handle impact resistance best? I've heard that carbon fiber is brittle and could shatter under stress, any truth to that?
 
I don't have an answer backed up by proof, just echoing what you said from what I read on the forums, that CF is brittle and wouldn't be having a good day after a fall. From me reading that before i joined BFC you would think the cf on your 0454 would be done for. Like I said i have no definite knowledge on this just from what i read from other members. Im also interested in this topic because I've been wanting a CF knife but don't to mess it up when i help my dad at work.
 
G-10 and Carbon fiber scales will get chipped when dropped on cement.
The whole thing ain't gonna break, but there will be a small chip where it hit.
 
I just typed out a response and either tapatalk or the forum lost it. So: it won't break, but will scuff or chip.

Source: canoe and kayak paddles
 
Blues Bender said:
So you have a G10 canoe?:D:p

Can you expand on this? What was your experience?
Click to expand...

Hahaha no, carbon fiber canoe and kayak paddles. Many competition canoe paddles (and kayak paddles, but they're more often fiberglass) are made of carbon fiber. I've used them, and my family members and some friends have used them, for races in some relatively rough rivers. They can definitely take a lot of stress and handle bumps and scrapes on rocks pretty well.
 
ALLHSS said:
Hahaha no, carbon fiber canoe and kayak paddles. Many competition canoe paddles (and kayak paddles, but they're more often fiberglass) are made of carbon fiber. I've used them, and my family members and some friends have used them, for races in some relatively rough rivers. They can definitely take a lot of stress and handle bumps and scrapes on rocks pretty well.
Click to expand...

Good point:thumbup:

I would imagine that a canoe/kayak paddle will take more abuse than my knife scales will:)
Come to think of it, many exotic cars are crafted from CF! I can't believe I didn't think of that!

I guess I kind of answered my own question:rolleyes:
CF is tougher than I imagined...
 
For the hell of it, where would someone go about finding the "scientifically tested" impact resistance of such materials?

I'm sure it's out there somewhere...
 
I think any knife being dropped on concrete from basketball net high or higher would be damaged in some way. Mostly it would depend on exactly how it lands and the distribution of impact. There will always be miracle cases though.

I think carbon fiber would at least be marked or slightly dented were that to happen. CF is known to shatter into very sharp pieces when it does break. Again, so much is dependent on exactly how it lands/bounces. Even G-10 and micarta would be vulnerable to chipping with a drop like that. I think it would mark about anything in some way.
 
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