How does Carbon Fiber hold up?

[BMCGear]

As a knife scale, how does carbon fiber hold up and how does it wear over time with use?

Post pics if you can!

 

[phillipsted]

There are a lot of different types of CF out there - with different grades of fiber, different weaves, and different resins (although a majority of them are epoxy-based). Making a sweeping generalization about all of them isn't going to tell you much - it is sort of like asking "How does wood hold up?"

Did you have a particular make and model in mind?

In making my own scales, I've had good luck with BlackSite CF. It works and finishes well and doesn't chip out as bad as some others.

For commercial scales, I've had the most exposure to Spyderco's CF and CF/G10 laminates. By and large their quality is great, but they've had challenges on some models where their manufacturers have used inferior quality CF (such as the original Cat/Chicago releases). But the newer CF/G10 laminates appear to be extremely tough and wear resistant.

TedP

 

[BMCGear]

There are a lot of different types of CF out there - with different grades of fiber, different weaves, and different resins (although a majority of them are epoxy-based). Making a sweeping generalization about all of them isn't going to tell you much - it is sort of like asking "How does wood hold up?"

Did you have a particular make and model in mind?

In making my own scales, I've had good luck with BlackSite CF. It works and finishes well and doesn't chip out as bad as some others.

For commercial scales, I've had the most exposure to Spyderco's CF and CF/G10 laminates. By and large their quality is great, but they've had challenges on some models where their manufacturers have used inferior quality CF (such as the original Cat/Chicago releases). But the newer CF/G10 laminates appear to be extremely tough and wear resistant.

TedP

Good to know! I'm relatively new to the CF game. I'm actually talking about Chris Reeve Knives' Carbon Fiber.

 

[dr_fosg8]

Crk is not going to use anything that isn't top notch.

I would not see any problems arising from normal use if crk put their name on it.

 

[rye_a]

I have carried an XM-18 with a CF scale most days for the last two years and it is in as good of condition as the day I bought it.