How do carbon fiber scales feel?

[sparkyvega]

I like the way the ZT 0777CF looks, but I've never used a knife with carbon fiber scales. How do they feel and perform cutting heavy cardboard for 10 minutes at a time? Are they slick?

 

[22-rimfire]

Oops... misread to be 0770 vs 0777.... My 0770 has smooth carbon fiber handles. Great knife!! Thin, light, and carries easily. Slippery? Shouldn't be any more slippery than any other smooth handled knife.

 

[b00n]

In all seriousness, it feels good in the hand, since unlike plain Ti it feels the same whether it's cold or hot in the hand and it provides just as much grip/texture as plain Ti. I wouldn't hesitate to get more CF scale knives.

 

[miso2]

I only have 0770CF and like the feel of CF.
CF is very sturdy and solid.
Whether it is comfortable or not in cutting depends on the design of the handle rather than the material.

 

[Dadpool]

I've owned two ZTs with CF covers, an 0562 and an 0452, and both felt great. It's smooth but not glassy, if that makes sense.

 

[Wowbagger]

I would describe it as a little like plastic (it has resin soaked into the carbon) but some how it feels harder . . . like metal and oddly cold when you pick it up where as plastic immediately warms and reflects body heat back.

It is lighter than metal but metal like if that makes sense.
Also it has a slight (ever, ever so slight) pricklyness in texture.

Personally I dig the hell out of it.

 

[marrenmiller]

Depends on how it's finished. It can be finished just like any of the ways G10 can, as both are fiber reinforced polymer composites. You almost certainly won't notice a difference in stiffness between CF and G10 when used for handle scales, nor is there a significant difference in density.

In short, just like G10 but it may look nicer to you.

Edit: the thermal conductivity is also higher on CF than on G10, but both are far lower than typical metals, so I don't think the feel in different temperatures would be noticeable either.

 

[b00n]

If I had to compare the feel in the hand to something else, I'd say sturdy/thick/high quality cardboard. It's an even smooth surface but (as long it's not polished up) has some texture to it.

 

[DocJD]

Depends on how it's finished. It can be finished just like any of the ways G10 can, as both are fiber reinforced polymer composites. You almost certainly won't notice a difference in stiffness between CF and G10 when used for handle scales, nor is there a significant difference in density.

In short, just like G10 but it may look nicer to you.

Edit: the thermal conductivity is also higher on CF than on G10, but both are far lower than typical metals, so I don't think the feel in different temperatures would be noticeable either.

Exactly this ^^^ ! Most of my G10 are textured to be fairly rough to the point of needing some sanding . By contrast CF is sometimes finished almost too smooth and slick .

 

[Justin Schmidt]

A lot like g10. However I just saw that there is a new "rubberized " carbon fiber. I definitely want to check some of that out.

 

[colin.p]

I only have two cf knives. My 0450cf is rather "blocky" (in a compact sort of way) but has a nice fairly grippy texture. I really don't notice anything overly different with it in comparison to any other scale material. However, the cf on my Positron is truly beautiful, fits my hand perfectly. It's polished quite smoothly and the contouring is spectacular.

When I bought the 0450cf, I wasn't too impressed with its cf, but with the Positron, all I can say is WOW. So it really depends on how the manufacturer uses cf as to how you will like it.

 

[gazz98]

I find them on the slick side. I prefer G10 or micarta. I'm not too hung up on the look or weight reduction CF provides. It is something I'm not willing to pay few extra $ for. YMMV.

 

[GIRLYmann]

Not much different from a piece of pakkawood
Once you get over its visual impact...

 

[b00n]

I find them on the slick side. I prefer G10 or micarta. I'm not too hung up on the look or weight reduction CF provides. It is something I'm not willing to pay few extra $ for. YMMV.

Me personally go for CF because of the look, I am not concerned about weight on a folder. As long it stays under say 8 oz

 

[GermanyChris]

The feel of CF is different depending on how it's finished

 

[Bad Rattle]

I love the feel of CF. It also seems to make a unique noise when you handle it. The CF on my Sebenza is my favorite. I will admit that the CF on my fluted CF Native feels a little plasticky. I think it's due to the pattern cut into the CF tho.

 

[darth_cholo]

Here are all the different CF finishes I have.
Iike it mostly for the look.

-Spyderco peel ply is the grippiest but doesn't get the "look".

-Spyderco laminate carbon fiber gives the look and the grip and might be the best of both world's.

-The ZT is slippery. They put some clear coating but left some texture through causing a Teflon like grip.

-Japan made Spyderco carbon fiber is clear coated and smooth but still has some grip on bare fingers kind of like glass does.

-the aftermarket Aramis and Benchmades are matte bare carbon fiber and feel well balanced. They feel the most luxuarious in the hand.

 

[sharp_edge]

CF is my most favorite scale material. It looks great and feels great. It can be made and machined with different pattern. Spyderco's peel ply cf is the grippiest that I have tried but I like it very much.

 

[ridnovir]

it feel great and...it does not get scratched like titanium

 

[Mo2]

90% of my collection is carbon fiber. I prefer it over everything.

The 0770 cf is nice but not nearly as nice as others. Tbo they also have two revisions of carbon fiber for the 0770cf. Recent ones are much nicer than the original runs which are fairly slick, but nothing that causes grip issues unless wet.