Here comes the Thunder!

betzner said:
Glad to see there's discussion on both sides. So many times, it's all yada yada yada about being soooo wonderful,soooo nice, etc.
Click to expand...

Same here!

The Virginian said:
That is because the OP, unlike the vast majority of the FOGs here, actually had to balls to invite opinions in what he was posting up. If more people who posted their knives here invited the same, I am sure we would have a lot more similar discussions here on both sides.
Click to expand...

Don't know about 'vast majority'. Anyway, opening posters inviting opinion makes little difference to me as it's my opinion that if someone isn't equally ready to accept both praise or the alternative then they probably shouldn't post on the internet. Of course anyone offering negative comments or critique, should do it in a courteous and constructive manner imo.
 
Last edited:
Jonnymac, I like that one too. It seems to me that the more contoured the material is, the more attractive I find it.
 
I am not a knife maker...just a user. I am in love with almost anything that is not some shade of black or dark gray. 70 percent of my knives are "blackish" ....I love something different! ( Just a different perspective) Hopefully there are no spelling errors ;)
T
 
I have developed a fondness for this material.
 
I think you hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I found with the material. Funny thing I see is that people say they don't like the color. To me it is very similar to natural canvas in it's base color.

jonnymac44 said:
Hmmm, there is more polarizing of opinions of this material than I expected. Personally I find it really appealing. It grinds and shapes nicely, finishes smooth with fewer wire burrs than LSCF, and has an earthy natural look and feel to it that I think is really attractive. Dress it up with some liners that pop and you've got a great combination. I have exposed quite a few of my local customers and enthusiasts to it and the response was very positive....enough for me to boost my inventory of the material up a few more sheets.

To each their own. Personally, I'm extremely grateful to Ben and Chuck for making this stuff available in a couple of different thicknesses that are really useful to knife makers.

A few shots of my first knife with Thunderstorm Kevlar....







Click to expand...
 
jonnymac44 said:
Hmmm, there is more polarizing of opinions of this material than I expected. Personally I find it really appealing. It grinds and shapes nicely, finishes smooth with fewer wire burrs than LSCF, and has an earthy natural look and feel to it that I think is really attractive. Dress it up with some liners that pop and you've got a great combination. I have exposed quite a few of my local customers and enthusiasts to it and the response was very positive....enough for me to boost my inventory of the material up a few more sheets.

To each their own. Personally, I'm extremely grateful to Ben and Chuck for making this stuff available in a couple of different thicknesses that are really useful to knife makers.
Click to expand...

I'm not surprised to find that knifemakers like it as it's easy to work with and I assume it cost quite a bit less than some other materials. So what's not to like from the knifemaker's perspective?
Well perhaps that collectors may not like it (seems a possibility from this thread), which is important if the knifemaker's goal is to sell knives.

Seems there's a trend that knifemakers are looking for cheaper materials that are easier and less expensive to work with than natural materials.
That's find but don't be surprised if collector's do not get equally exited by these materials.
 
Last edited:
jonnymac44 said:
Hmmm, there is more polarizing of opinions of this material than I expected. Personally I find it really appealing. It grinds and shapes nicely, finishes smooth with fewer wire burrs than LSCF, and has an earthy natural look and feel to it that I think is really attractive. Dress it up with some liners that pop and you've got a great combination. I have exposed quite a few of my local customers and enthusiasts to it and the response was very positive....enough for me to boost my inventory of the material up a few more sheets.
To each their own. Personally, I'm extremely grateful to Ben and Chuck for making this stuff available in a couple of different thicknesses that are really useful to knife makers.
Click to expand...

J. Oeser said:
I think you hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I found with the material. Funny thing I see is that people say they don't like the color. To me it is very similar to natural canvas in it's base color.
Click to expand...

I guess if you like the color of natural canvas than you would find this material appealing, however I wouldn't be surprised that some don't like this color on a knife handle.
 
Kevin Jones said:
I'm not surprised to find that knifemakers like it as it's easy to work with and I assume it cost quite a bit less than some other materials. So what's not to like from the knifemaker's perspective?
Well perhaps that collectors may not like it (seems a possibility from this thread), which is important if the knifemaker's goal is to sell knives.

Seems there's a trend that knifemakers are looking for cheaper materials that are easier and less expensive to work with than natural materials.
That's find but don't be surprised if collector's do not get equally exited by these materials.
Click to expand...

By easy to work with, they mean it grinds fairly easy, compared to say G10 which burns if you look at it wrong! It is quite time time consuming to finish it and make it look its best. And its not cheap! ;)
In my opinion wood and stag are 2 of the easiest material to work with out there.

And Fortunately, this forum represents a microscopic slice of the custom knife world. I never really expected ABS collectors to get all warm and fuzzy about this material. So no surprise there. I have however seen a VERY positive reaction from the tactical/user side of the custom market.
I enjoy this Forum very much, but I know what kind of knives get guys here excited before I even post one.

As makers we are constantly looking for new things to set us apart or keep things fresh. Hopefully this will add another option to that end. Some will like it, others might not. But having options, for a collector or maker, benefits everyone.
 
BenR.T. said:
And Fortunately, this forum represents a microscopic slice of the custom knife world. I never really expected ABS collectors to get all warm and fuzzy about this material. So no surprise there. I have however seen a VERY positive reaction from the tactical/user side of the custom market.
I enjoy this Forum very much, but I know what kind of knives get guys here excited before I even post one.

As makers we are constantly looking for new things to set us apart or keep things fresh. Hopefully this will add another option to that end. Some will like it, others might not. But having options, for a collector or maker, benefits everyone.
Click to expand...

I've been collecting knives for longer than many new makers have been alive, and collect forged, and stock removed..... damascus, steel, titanium..... bowies and tacticals all in equal proportion. I'm carrying 4 knives today, a Microtech UTX-70, Spyderco Manix XL, and (gulp) two Cold Steel knives, because I am evaluating the TriAd lock. Tomorrow may carry a Don Hanson damascus folder or an Allen Elishewitz Kaiser or R.J. Martin Havoc...all that and I'm not lovin' this material.

When you have newer makers trying out a material, it doesn't necessarily mean that the material is popular, it does mean people(makers and collectors alike) are most likely curious. If the current trend towards tactical knives lasts 10 years, it is still a trend.....and handle materials often have trends as well.

Options can be catastrophic to a community, just as they can be supremely advantageous. An option that MANY collectors don't care for is giraffe bone, an option that many collectors DO appreciate is fossil ivory.

Worked properly, giraffe bone can appear very much like Mastadon or Mammoth ivory, but we all know that it isn't the same thing wrt long term value and appreciation.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Last edited:
Kevin Jones said:
I'm not surprised to find that knifemakers like it as it's easy to work with and I assume it cost quite a bit less than some other materials. So what's not to like from the knifemaker's perspective?
Well perhaps that collectors may not like it (seems a possibility from this thread), which is important if the knifemaker's goal is to sell knives.

Seems there's a trend that knifemakers are looking for cheaper materials that are easier and less expensive to work with than natural materials.
That's find but don't be surprised if collector's do not get equally exited by these materials.
Click to expand...

Kevin, you're right. If people don't like it then it won't sell and I can live with that. One thing I want to address though is the fact that this material is in no way less expensive to buy or work. It's not some magic shortcut. I purchased it because I liked it, period.
 
someone said something about this stuff being hydrophilic. What's the deal- anyone know?
 
Lorien said:
someone said something about this stuff being hydrophilic. What's the deal- anyone know?
Click to expand...

I think you mean hygroscopic. All the studies I found were on raw Kevlar, not resin impregnated laminate. When finished, there aren't any "dry" spots, where resin isn't present with this stuff.
I am sure you are aware that carbon fiber is also very hygroscopic, since it is used on high end bike frames. That is why it gets a gel coat in almost all aplications. But it is used "raw" on knives all the time. I haven't really worked much with carbon fiber, but I haven't ever heard of it being an issue on knife handles.
 
jonnymac44 said:
Kevin, you're right. If people don't like it then it won't sell and I can live with that. One thing I want to address though is the fact that this material is in no way less expensive to buy or work. It's not some magic shortcut. I purchased it because I liked it, period.
Click to expand...

Hello Jared. OK, from your and Ben's post I'm assuming this material is not inexpensive. So let's qualify the cost. How much was the material for the handle on your knife above? I like your knife very much by the way with the exception of the appearance of the handle material. If handling, I may have a deferent opinion.
 
Kevin Jones said:
Hello Jared. OK, from your and Ben's post I'm assuming this material is not inexpensive. So let's qualify the cost. How much was the material for the handle on your knife above? I like your knife very much by the way with the exception of the appearance of the handle material. If handling, I may have a deferent opinion.
Click to expand...

I think you mean Jonny. :D
That is 3/16", so it would be about $15 for a set of scales.
I understand if you don't like the color Kevin, its not for everyone. I think if you held some in hand though, you would appreciate to cool factor of it. It has a great chatoyance, and the brass fibers add a cool flash. If you are going to Blade, I am sure you could find a knife there with it. I know for sure Tom Ferry will have a flipper there with it, although it is already sold. :cool:
 
When proper resin impregnation is achieved carbon fiber is not hygroscopic. The gel coat is used for several reasons
1.It is used as a mold release
2.It provides an even layer of surface resin
3 It provides UV protection that epoxy does not
If the gelcoat is used to stop the cf from absorbing water there are serious issues with the infusion.
All aramids I have worked with in the past have had serious problems with resin saturation. Even the prepregs. The laminated composite tends to be hygroscopic. That is why it always fuzzed up like a tennis ball when its ground. Can you tell us more about this material without revealing your sources? What is the resin used?(very important!)
 
Kevin Jones said:
Hello Jared. OK, from your and Ben's post I'm assuming this material is not inexpensive. So let's qualify the cost. How much was the material for the handle on your knife above? I like your knife very much by the way with the exception of the appearance of the handle material. If handling, I may have a deferent opinion.
Click to expand...

Who the heck is Jared!? :D Thanks for the kind words, Kevin:thumbup:
 
Sanchez said:
When proper resin impregnation is achieved carbon fiber is not hygroscopic. The gel coat is used for several reasons
1.It is used as a mold release
2.It provides an even layer of surface resin
3 It provides UV protection that epoxy does not
If the gelcoat is used to stop the cf from absorbing water there are serious issues with the infusion.
All aramids I have worked with in the past have had serious problems with resin saturation. Even the prepregs. The laminated composite tends to be hygroscopic. That is why it always fuzzed up like a tennis ball when its ground. Can you tell us more about this material without revealing your sources? What is the resin used?(very important!)
Click to expand...

I made the mistake of buying some black and blue 2 x 2 carbon fiber/kevlar laminate from an untested source a couple years ago and the blue kevlar fuzzed up when shaping just like you're talking about. What a waste of $150 that was, but lesson was learned! At least it makes a pretty backdrop for taking photos of knives now :)
 
Sanchez said:
When proper resin impregnation is achieved carbon fiber is not hygroscopic. The gel coat is used for several reasons
1.It is used as a mold release
2.It provides an even layer of surface resin
3 It provides UV protection that epoxy does not
If the gelcoat is used to stop the cf from absorbing water there are serious issues with the infusion.
All aramids I have worked with in the past have had serious problems with resin saturation. Even the prepregs. The laminated composite tends to be hygroscopic. That is why it always fuzzed up like a tennis ball when its ground. Can you tell us more about this material without revealing your sources? What is the resin used?(very important!)
Click to expand...

It is a phenolic based laminate, made with both heat and pressure. It doesn't "fuzz" at all. It is made for outdoor applications.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top