HEY, SPYDERCO! We need a sticky about the merits of FRN.

Walking Man

Walking Man

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IMO, one of the least understood things about Spyderco is how much better FRN is over Zytel. Even then, I've never seen any comparisons, read any statics, seen any reviews about how FRN holds up. Since Spyderco sells so many knives with FRN, I think it would really make a difference if they made an effort to make known the benefits of FRN. All of the FRN knives that I've ever had just held up so much better than Zytel, it's sick, but I've never seen a word. I'd really like to see some statics about it's tensile strength vs Zytel and plain nylon, and also it's wear resistance.
 
Just so we're clear, FRN is the category name for Fiber Reinforced Nylon, Zytel is a particular brand name of FRN. I don't think it's logical to say FRN is better then Zytel, because Zytel IS FRN. (At least that's my understanding)
 
Zytel is FRN. Zytel is a Dupont brand of Fiberglasss Reinforced Nylon (FRN) that Spyderco uses, and Grivory is another brand the Spyderco uses. There are many different formulations of FRN, different quantities of fiberglass fill and different formulations of nylon. The key to good FRN is choosing the right formulation, and proper design of the molded part.

The latest generation of FRN Spydercos actually seem more refined to me than G10 handled knives. I'm going to start carrying a Delica 4 today, for the first time. I was never even tempted to try a Delica before.
 
Man, you guys are ruining it for me. :grumpy:
Seriously, I don't know why, but for some reason Spyderco's FRN just seems to hold up better. Does anyone else agree, or am I as crazy as my wife thinks I am?
 
I think all FRN holds up pretty well. It shows scrapes and drops pretty easy, but I've never had a problem with it actually breaking. But it does lose its grip easily when wet.

Recent FRN has looked much better from Spyderco. I always thought that the S30V native had decent scales, but the new Delica and Endura 4's frn looks MUCH better than the old kind (much less plasticky), and, at least in my head, the D`allara's (Native IIIesque) frn scales look much higher quality than normal.

I'm still happy to pay the extra dollars to get G10 though.
 
"Zytel" is Dupont's registered trademark for its comprehensive range of nylon resins. FRN is really glass-reinforced Zytel (if it's made in the US). Imported FRN called Grivory. Spyderco sticks with calling it "FRN" to keep things simple.

Like Carlos said, one reason you might find Spyderco's FRN holding up better than the rest is the glass content Spyderco aims for, 30% IIRC. Too much glass and the composite becomes brittle, too little and it's not much stronger than plain nylon. Leave it to Spyderco to find the optimum percentage for knife handles :).

http://plastics.dupont.com/plastics/pdflit/europe/zytel/ZYTPPe.pdf
 
Walking Man said:
Seriously, I don't know why, but for some reason Spyderco's FRN just seems to hold up better. Does anyone else agree, or am I as crazy as my wife thinks I am?
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I agree with you, the only FRN knives I will dare to carry on Spydercos, all the other feel supremely cheap.
 
Where does Benchmade's Noryl GTX handle material fit in? Same stuff, different manufacturer?
 
I always wondered if the two(Zytel, FRN) were the same. It seemed to me FRN is less" plastic-like". I avoid both if I can as I can't get the idea that it cheapens the knife to the point of being disposable out of my head.
 
Carlos said:
The latest generation of FRN Spydercos actually seem more refined to me than G10 handled knives. I'm going to start carrying a Delica 4 today, for the first time. I was never even tempted to try a Delica before.
Click to expand...

I remember Sal saying somewhere that they were using an upgraded FRN from Dupont for the Delica and Endura 4s.

Tom
 
I'm a fan of Spyderco's FRN knives. I know people knock them all the time, but when you have stuff like the Delica 4, it's hard to not love it. It's light, it's strong, the grip is great wet and dry, it has good impact resistance, and it's very strong (even stronger with liners). I always like to look at Spyderco's FRN line as knives meant to be used by people who can and will beat the crap out of their knives.
 
FRN is tough as can be. I love it! Zytel was used to make Z-Rims for our bmx bikes. As a boy, I used to have a set and they would bend into a taco shape and right back to straight after hard landings. Frn is great stuff!
 
My last university had a formula 1 race car with carbon fiber wheels. A little off topic, but I thought it was pretty impressive.
 
I generally prefer G-10, Titanium, or good old steel for scales on my folders that'll be clipped to a pocket.

However, I work around a lot of sheeple, and prefer to carry a knife loose within my pocket at work to avoid any issues. A heavy knife bangs around and is uncomfortable. For that type of carry, a good spyderco with FRN and the clip removed can't be beat.

In fact, I think I may order a new Delica 4 for that duty...
 
But G10 is cheap, too, right? You can find S&W g10 grip knives for under $20 and they're not small.
 
FRN is a good material that holds up well and is economical, only con imho is the way it looks, give me G10 & Ti anyday, but for pure function must admit it does work well and is light too.
 
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