How does Zytel feel compared to G10

H

hazy

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Mar 1, 2013
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Hey guys, I'm itching to buy a SOG Flash 2, but I recently got a Kershaw Tension which has G10 handles, only to find out that I really don't like the feel of G10 handles. I know most people love G10 and I thought I would too, but it turns out I really don't like the way they feel. So I want to know if the Zytel handles on the SOG Flash 2 feel similar to how G10 feels or if they feel more like plastic. Truth be told I would rather they feel like plastic, but if they feel like the G10 then it will make my decision very easy.

Thanks for any help.
 
Not all G10 is the same. Textures vary from extremely, pant-shreddingly coarse to almost smooth. Zytel is easier on my hands at a similar texture to G10, but the latter is grippier. Both materials are glass fibered composites, but with different resins and different length fibers. The nylon in Zytel is softer than the epoxy in G10.
 
Bill1170 said:
Not all G10 is the same. Textures vary from extremely, pant-shreddingly coarse to almost smooth. Zytel is easier on my hands at a similar texture to G10, but the latter is grippier. Both materials are glass fibered composites, but with different resins and different length fibers. The nylon in Zytel is softer than the epoxy in G10.
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So basically texturing not being a factor the two materials tend to feel similar to one another? To me the G10 felt like fake wood, I know thats an odd description but it felt like it was trying to feel like wood or something along those lines and I really didn't like it. I would definitely prefer more of a plastic feel.
 
Don't give up all hope on G-10.
The G-10 on the Tension is kinda oddly textured.
Not every G-10 is the same.
The G-10 on the Tension is kind of grainy... so that could be the "Fake Wood" feel.

However, Zytel is a softer and more plasticy feeling material.
 
BladeChick777 said:
Don't give up all hope on G-10.
The G-10 on the Tension is kinda oddly textured.
Not every G-10 is the same.
The G-10 on the Tension is kind of grainy... so that could be the "Fake Wood" feel.

However, Zytel is a softer and more plasticy feeling material.
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Thanks for your input BladeChick, I will definitely take that into consideration especially because overall I really didn't like the Tension so I wouldn't be surprised if other knives have better feeling G-10. I think I will just have to find a good knife store in my area where I can try out how it feels in my hand. I'm starting to realize knives are one of those things you really need to try before you buy. Still very new to the world of quality knives :)
 
Like BladeChick777 says, the Zytel feels softer and more plasticky than G10. I haven't ever held G10 that felt at all like wood, but that may be possible.
 
Bill1170 said:
Like BladeChick777 says, the Zytel feels softer and more plasticky than G10. I haven't ever held G10 that felt at all like wood, but that may be possible.
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My description really isn't very good but for some reason the first thing I thought when I held the G-10 on the Tension was that it was trying to feel like some kind of an imitation wood, and failing miserably, so you're quite right it doesn't actually feel like wood. I think BladeChick hit it on the head its a grainy kind of feel not smooth like plastic usually is. Grip wise it was good though I'll give it that, I could probably oil up my hand and have no problem holding on to that knife.
 
If you're looking for smooth you won't like G-10.
Unless it's smoothed down.

However, I like a little grip on some knives and like the G-10. There are several different textures, feels, and colors.
The Grainy feeling on the Tension probably isn't my favorite G-10 texture but I don't mind it.

Not liking the knife all together could also be a big result of not liking the feeling of the handles.

I actually like the Tension for a $10 knife. It's nice.

But the G-10 on the Tension feels like it's trying to be smooth and they added a little texture as an after-thought lol.

Pretty good knife for the money though.
 
I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer the feel of nylon type handle material to G10. I haven't tried a SOG version of it but love it on the Kershaw Scallion and Speed bump
 
To me, FRN and similar composites almost feel sort of wax-ey, with zytel and such (coming in more as previously mentioned) plastic and G10 being almost more like graphite. Probably doesn't help much, but maybe it will. :)
 
Can G10 be made to feel like wood? My few experiences with it so far make it seem more like a mineral turned into a knife handle.
 
G-10 can feel all the way from smooth to extremely course. My Sypderco standard feels almost like micarta, my newer Stryker feels almost like FRN, and a Prototype Stryker feels very rough to the touch. It all depends on how it's finished and what materials are used to make it (i.e. type/quality of the glass mat).
 
swimmerdude1127 said:
Honestly zytel to me just feels way cheaper. G-10 is awesome stuff!
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Yeah I think I'm actually against the norm here in that I think I will probably prefer the cheaper feel. I'm weird like that sometimes.
bigconig said:
I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer the feel of nylon type handle material to G10. I haven't tried a SOG version of it but love it on the Kershaw Scallion and Speed bump
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I think I'm with you on that but I have to try some nylon handles first before I can say definitively.
VolundoftheForge said:
To me, FRN and similar composites almost feel sort of wax-ey, with zytel and such (coming in more as previously mentioned) plastic and G10 being almost more like graphite. Probably doesn't help much, but maybe it will. :)
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Thank you that does help :)

jstrykr74 said:
G-10 can feel all the way from smooth to extremely course. My Sypderco standard feels almost like micarta, my newer Stryker feels almost like FRN, and a Prototype Stryker feels very rough to the touch. It all depends on how it's finished and what materials are used to make it (i.e. type/quality of the glass mat).
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Yeah that makes sense, I think I just need to check out some different materials and different texturing patterns to determine which I prefer. I have very little experience with newer knives, I grew up with SAK, a knock off Buck 110 and some cheapo aluminum handled knife that I loved despite the fact it probably cost <$10 :)


Thanks for the feedback everyone I appreciate it!
 
Zytel feels like plastic, but I noticed on a couple of SOGs that the checkering tends to be a little "sharp" and rough on the hands. It is softer than G-10, so a little fine grit sandpaper to the checkering will make it more comfortable to hold with bare hands without compromising the grip of the handle.
 
Like others have said, how something feels varies quite a bit from design to design. I have Some knifes with super grippy G-10 like the Recon 1 and some that are more smooth like the Skyline.

I would describe the Flash II as feeling more plasticy so if that is what you want I so go for it. Of course holding it in your hand before you buy is a great idea. When I bought my Flash II I was able to hold one at Dick's. At least my local Lowe's has em so you could buy and take it back if you didn't like it. The Flash II is not super grippy and it won't hurt your hand so no need to sand. A great little inexpensive, light weight, assisted opening ECD knife assembled in the USA. I have had mine for more than 3 years and carried it nearly every day with no complaints. Is it the best for the price? No, but it is not bad.
 
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