Handle Materials - Need input

Heavy metal!

Yep, I just love the SS Spydercos and wish Sal made more of them (and with great blade-steels too).

Maybe you could be lighten the weight with cutouts like holes and slits in the handle.

My dream knife would be a SS Vesuvius with cutouts and a lock-back in VG-10.

Happy hunting,
Allen.
 
Sal,
Titanium....on the Native....in S30V, would be the cat's meow. Especially if it textured the same as on the FRN model.
 
G10 and liner (Military style)is the best setup: lightweight, very strong, and VERY RESISTANT TO ABRASIONS, KNOCKS AND BUMPS!!!!

I really think that this is the best solution from a strictly technical point of view, disregarding aesthetics.
 
Perhaps, Spyderco needs to consider stratifying handle options to satisfy the high-, middle- and low-cost ranges of buyers. No one type of material is going to satisfy everyone.

I like the Ti handle with ss liner combination (ala, Ti Lum).
All G-10 with a nested liner (ala Military) works well for many.
I also like micarta on working knives even though it may be subject to shrinkage. Jigged bone looks real good on certain models. On the other hand, in certain situations I like the light-weight, low-cost, FRN handles.

Alternatively, standard models could be built with handle frames that would take a custom fit insert. The frames could all be stainless steel or they could be offered in other materials, as well. The inserts would range in cost depending on the material makeup (G-10, wood, bone, pearl, stag, micarta etc). However, unlike the "Sebenza" inserts, the Sypderco knives would feature user replaceable (screw-in) inserts available from either Spyderco or an associated third party aftermarket vendor--those wanting something more permanent can epoxy the inserts in place.

If an insert system would be cost prohibitive, then take the same concept using epoxied (or screw-on) overlays of various materials instead.

Finally, if nothing else, make some limited runs in Ti with ss liners. It's okay to come out with affordable knives most of the time but once in awhile a guy/girl needs to have the good stuff to fondle, show off, and brag about.
 
Carbon fiber with skeletonized steel liners.

The carbon fiber provides extraordinary stiffness, light weight and the potential for texture; and, the steel provides bearing surfaces, resilience and an anchor for screws and pins.
 
I purchased my first Spyderco fours ago, after several of my fellow federal law enforcement officers recommended the company. This first purchase was a Peter Herbst Folder. Following this first purchase, I have purchased five more knifes, including the Spyderco 25th Anniversary. I now carry a Titanium Salsa. At this time I buy Spyderco knifes just to collect them, and the handle material is what makes me willing to pay the bucks for the next Spyderco knife I purchase. My favorite knife next to the Spyderco 25th Anniversary, is a Delica with a SantaFe Stonework handle. My least favorite is black Micarta.

:)
 
I'd like to see more models make use of Micarta handles, however, not with the slick finish that Spyderco put on some models, like the J.D. Smith.

I believe it was Warren Thomas that made a knife that was composed mostly of carbon fiber(carbon fiber handle slabs, lock, carbon fiber bonded to the blade, fasteners). The knife was designed so that the liner lock could be replaced if it became worn.

One change I'd really love to see in the Spyderco liner locks is the removal of the cut out above the lock. I don't really see the need for it, and it seems like it increases the chance that the blade could unlocked accidentally.
 
Originally posted by biogon
G10/Micarta make great scales and handle materials because of their warmth and "give" compared to metals, shock absorption, and ease of abrasion (i.e. it "wears" into your grip pattern"). They can be made very grippy, easily.
Click to expand...

I have never heard this mentioned before, and I have limited long-term experience with G10 and Micarta on an EDC folder.

Are you saying that the material wears away in a manner which actually alters the grip pattern on the tool to fit the individual user?

I understand that you can modify it if you wish with a file or abrasive, but the way you have this phrased it sounds as though you have experienced it occuring as a result of general usage.

If this is the case I am very interested, and quite surprised that I have not heard it mentioned before.
 
I really like the style of G10 that Spyderco uses as it has an excellent utility texture, expecially compared to the rather smooth stuff that is used by other manufacturers such as Benchmade.

However, I consider the style of construction that features composite handle slabs with minimal or no reinforcement to be unacceptable, so the "single nested liner" design is a deal-breaker for me.

The design of the Dodo, in which all the functional parts are built into a metallic unit, is fine.

However, I would be very pleased to see some Spyderco products made which feature G10 or textured Micarta scales laid over dual skeletonized steel liners. I'd prefer to forgo the "nesting" and just run the liners flush with the ends of the scales. This saves on machining cost, and allows the liners to be knurled or extended to enhance grip.

This is the construction used for the BM 710, and it works exceedingly well. It results in a product that is strong, lightweignt, compact, and solid. The knife also remains completely functional if by chance you manage to break or damage one of the handle scales.
 
For most of the applications of my knife usage, I would greatly prefer G10, Micarta, and FRN.

I definitly prefer black over other colors. Sheeple are sheeple enought already without drawing unneeded eyes upon our daily work companions.

Although I ADORE my Stainless Cricket, I am not a fan of metal grips.

If liners are part of a design, function is the most important value - and that means corrosive resistance. Which avoids corrosion most - Ti or various stainlesses'; I like whichever is most resistant to bad things.

Dress Knifes have their place, but they would be my Black Micarta choice.

I love the functional priorities you put into your knives, and the ownership value associated to that premise. The only part of the knife that I want to be concerned with daily is the blade performance - sharpness maintenance; the liners and grips are the foundation whose value is found in their ergonomics (which you folks are the masters), comfort; maintenance free, and not be attention getters to the general sheeples.

I can't justify my opinions - Sal, thanks for wanting inputs.
 
Sal

Fishbulb brought up a good point about the flush steel liners. I have a couple of REKAT knives made that way. Other than the points being a a little too sharp the extra grip is nice. It is out of the way but easy to use. REKAT kept the liner edges square and some people found them too sharp.

The thumb bumps on the 3D Native seem to work well and the scales "lock-in" well in my grip.

The Blue G-10 BFC Native works well. Not too slick but not too rough to get hung up. The Proto Trakker with the routed G-10 scales gives just that little extra grip needed with wet hands. I know that the manfacture of these scales was an expensive nightmare but they work well for me.
 
Here's the handle combinations I'm fond of:

Ti slabs - framelock style
CF scales with skeletonized STEEL liners
G10 scales with skeletonized steel liners
micarta scales with skeletonized steel liners
I don't like Ti liners at all, they feel too light. I prefer the added strength and heft of a 4xx stainless steel liner
 
I love my Spydies!
I like Micarta, G10 and FRN -- warm and grippy in your hand. I prefer steel liners. A collectors version in natural materials would be nice.
Dave_B
 
Just a poor man who likes zytel....:)

The only difference I've found between a zytel and a micarta handle is about $30 added to the price.

Now a Goddard with a stag handle...I'd save up for that.
 
I think it is Strider that has the G10 on one side and nothing on the other side. I think that is good set-up.
I like G10 myself, but have been happy with FRN also.



Blades
 
Interesting question.

These are my opinions on handle materials:

Steel:
-Good: Strong, cheap smooth in and out of the pocket, excellent for making thin handles. (My current edc is the Scorpius and I like it a lot.)
-Bad: Offers little grip in wet hands and gets scratched, on the heavy side.

G10:
Good: Strong, light, when rought it offers a lot of grip, not to expensive.
Bad: When rough it destroys pockets (I hate that.)

Aluminium:
Almost the same as steel except lighter and needs coating.

Titanium:
Almost the same as steel except lighter and more expensive.

Zytel:
Good: Light, strong, can be made whit many different surfaces, cheap, good grip.
Bad: Looks and feels cheap. Good for budget knives.

I like folders that have thin handles, are not to heavy and do not destroy my clothes. So I like metal handles that are well shaped for grip.

JD
 
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