Here comes the Thunder!

BenR.T.

BenR.T.

Tanto grinder & High performance blade peddler
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So about a year ago I posted a knife on here featuring some cool new Kevlar handle material. I got a lot of interest in the material but wasn't at a point to get a good supply of it. Well that has changed and I now have a good source for it. I have been trying to get into as many makers hands as possible, because I think is really something special! This is NOT a sales thread, I am just interested to get some collectors and other makers opinions on the looks of it. I am calling it Thunderstorm Kevlar™. It is a Kevlar based Phenolic with brass fibers throughout. It is incredibly tough, heat resistant and machinable!

Let me know what you guys think.
Here are few knives using it, by some very talented makers and one by me.


Jared Oeser





Gene Ingram




And one by yours truly


 
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Nice scale material reminds me of hessian micarta .
But more consistency to the smoothness of the finish .
Would suit a bushie style blade IMO .
 
very enlightning.
 
I have no interest in this material.....it looks like a variant of natural burlap micarta, which is not a material I care for either....it lacks panache.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Doesn't float my boat. Not really an appealing color and the texture doesn't grab me. For example, the slipjoint as it is, I wouldn't take home, but if it was carbon fiber, micarta, G10, or a more traditional material it would have a run for my money.
 
from a pragmatic standpoint, what I like about composites is that their structure is mostly fabric.
I do like the look of this material in many ways, but it's a little too much resin and a little too little fabric.
While the fabric is kevlar, the loose weave means the overall structure doesn't benefit much from the kevlar's attributes.
A tightly woven kevlar fabric set up into a composite would be pretty kewl, although finishing it out might be painful.

I think this material would look, and be, awesome if it were media blasted, as opposed to being finished smooth and polished.
 
I think it's a very interesting material, kinda steam punk if you ask me (and I like that;)) but like others have said, I think it would look better (and maybe sell better) if you offered it different colors. Just my 2 cents:)
 
Lorien said:
from a pragmatic standpoint, what I like about composites is that their structure is mostly fabric.
I do like the look of this material in many ways, but it's a little too much resin and a little too little fabric.
While the fabric is kevlar, the loose weave means the overall structure doesn't benefit much from the kevlar's attributes.
A tightly woven kevlar fabric set up into a composite would be pretty kewl, although finishing it out might be painful.

I think this material would look, and be, awesome if it were media blasted, as opposed to being finished smooth and polished.
Click to expand...

I think the open weave is what makes this look cool, it definitely has the look of burlap micarta.
As far as structure and strength goes, here are a few specs from the manufacturer....

Compression strength - 30,000psi
Shear strength - 13,600psi
Flexural Strength - 20,500psi
Max working temp - 600 degrees farenheit

From my understanding any of the tight weave kevlar (Bullet proof laminates) finished for crap, so those haven't really been an option in the past for knifemakers.
I don't expect it to be for everybody, but I do see it as a cool alternative to micarta or burlap micarta.
And Kevlar only comes in one color. ; )
 
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BenR.T. said:
I think the open weave is what makes this look cool, it definitely has the look of burlap micarta with a dash of lightening stike carbon fiber.
As far as structure and strength goes, here are a few specs from the manufacturer....

From my understanding any of the tight weave kevlar (Bullet proof laminates) finished for crap, so those haven't really been an option in the past for knifemakers.
I don't expect it to be for everybody, but I do see it as a cool alternative to micarta or burlap micarta.
And Kevlar only comes in one color. ; )
Click to expand...

If a maker has the material requested on an ordered knife, with the buyer understanding and requiring the special attributes this material offers, it makes perfect sense.

For a maker to offer this material on a spec knife pares down the number of interested people signficantly compared to something like carbon fiber or black g-10....as I have written before, different just to be different is often a negative.

This is probably the first time that Brownshoe and I have agreed on something in 10 years....that says a lot.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
Lorien said:
I do like the look of this material in many ways, but it's a little too much resin and a little too little fabric.
Click to expand...
Lorien, have you held Thunderstorm Kevlar in your hand? My guess is no because I would not describe it as you have.

Here is a closeup photo of a 2" x 2" square that has been ground at and angle.

Thunderstorm.jpg


BTW, it sells very well. :thumbup:
 
you guessed right Chuck :)
but, since all I have to go on wrt this thread is the pics in it, that was my impression.
maybe you should send my a piece and make me a believer :)
 
I like it.

Beats the hell out of G10, IMO, which is a really, really, REALLY cheap and crappy looking material. Two identical knives, for example that slipjoint, one with this material and one with G10, I would pick the one with this material.
 
Kohai999 said:
.......For a maker to offer this material on a spec knife pares down the number of interested people signficantly compared to something like carbon fiber or black g-10....as I have written before, different just to be different is often a negative.

This is probably the first time that Brownshoe and I have agreed on something in 10 years....that says a lot.

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
Click to expand...

IMHO, that's like saying Lightening strike carbon fiber or Timascus pares down the interest in a knife. Just because it is different doesn't mean it won't raise the value of a knife. Some people can't stand stag or Mammoth ivory on a knife either, but I think most would agree that they can add value to the RIGHT knife.

I am glad I could bring you and Brownshoe together though, I am nothing if not a peace maker. :D

Just my .02
 
To address a couple key points:
1. There is no E in Lightning!
2. Kevlar Nomex and Technora are all registered trademarks of the DuPont Corp. Unless this material is thiers, you can't trademark their kevlar name! (duh)

Although it is supposed to be flattering this feels like yet another attempt to capatalize on the succussful market developed by LSCF.
The real LSCF was accually used on air and space craft to aid in strike protection. What is the full disclosure on this material? What is it use for in industry? What resin system is employed? How dangerous is it? MSDS? How can you justify its cost without comparing it to something it is not?

Although I too am a materials manufacturer, I am firstly a knifemaker so the last thing I want is to discourage anything new to this craft. But anything less than the full truth is a disservice to this industy.


MD
 
Sanchez said:
Thats correct no E. just like they teach in the fourth grade.
Click to expand...

Are you serious?

Sanchez said:
To address a couple key points:
1. There is no E in Lightning!
2. Kevlar Nomex and Technora are all registered trademarks of the DuPont Corp. Unless this material is thiers, you can't trademark their kevlar name! (duh)

Although it is supposed to be flattering this feels like yet another attempt to capatalize on the succussful market developed by LSCF.
The real LSCF was accually used on air and space craft to aid in strike protection. What is the full disclosure on this material? What is it use for in industry? What resin system is employed? How dangerous is it? MSDS? How can you justify its cost without comparing it to something it is not?

Although I too am a materials manufacturer, I am firstly a knifemaker so the last thing I want is to discourage anything new to this craft. But anything less than the full truth is a disservice to this industy.


MD
Click to expand...

Did they teach all of that in the fourth grade, too?
 
The Virginian said:
Are you serious?

No not serious. I was giving Ben some flack for misspelling lightning in all of the posts in his media blitz to release this new material.

I am serious about the fact that whenever there is a hint of success there are lines of people waiting to eat your lunch.

Thank you for pointing out all of my spelling errors. I am a victim of the US public school system.
Click to expand...
 
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