Just bought a Cara Cara with FRN handle.

H

Homer49

Joined
May 24, 2007
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127
The order is still on it's way, but that was before I read that a Cara Cara with a G-10 handle was better. Is it? Should I return it and get the one with the G-10?
 
I didn't even know that Byrds came in FRN. I think people really just like the feel of G-10 over FRN and it's not so much that it's a "better" handle material. FRN is super tough stuff. Most of the complaints are about how plasticy it seems. It tends to get a bad wrap, but there's no real reason for it from a practical standpoint.
 
You did fine. I had the FRN first, liked it then gave it to a friend. I bought the G10, liked it but the extra weight didn't do it for me so I traded my friend for the FRN. I actually liked the Meadowlark in FRN even better.
 
I've got a FRN Cara Cara, great knife, BIG, but great.

The FRN one has nearly full steel liners nested just inside the handles, plenty tough!
 
How heavy is the FRN Cara Cara? I have the G10 and it's very heavy, I was thinking of getting the FRN too if it's much lighter.
 
BillL said:
How heavy is the FRN Cara Cara? I have the G10 and it's very heavy, I was thinking of getting the FRN too if it's much lighter.
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3.8oz for FRN
5.5oz for G10

The FRN Cara Cara feels very lite compared to other folders I have.
 
I only know the Meadowlark, but the G10 was too heavy when worn on dress pants compared to the FRN. I also found the FRN to be much grippier offering better retention in my hand.
 
Thats a difference of nearly 2 ounces. I didn't think that G-10 was significantly heavier than FRN. Is one linerless and other have liners?
 
How does the FRN compare to Zytel? I dislike Zytel knives like the CRKT M-16 because they feel weak/cheap-is that an issue with FRN?
 
I know that I got the G10 & the weight has me wanting an FRN for packing. Great knife, and to get this much knife for this price I probably would have bought more than one anyway!
 
Midwest Ninja said:
How does the FRN compare to Zytel? I dislike Zytel knives like the CRKT M-16 because they feel weak/cheap-is that an issue with FRN?
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Zytel is a brand of FRN (Fiber Reinforced Nylon).

Whether a FRN handle feels weak or cheap is dependent on the design rather than the material itself. If the material is made thick enough or if there are metal liners can make a huge difference.

Both the Spyderco Native and the Native III have unlined FRN handles, yet you seldom hear people complain about them feeling cheap and never hear any compaints about them feeling weak. Spyderco did a great job designing those handles.

The difference that is real with FRN is that the texture is different than micarta or G10. The fibers in those materials can provide for a surface that is much "grippier" than FRN.

IMO you have a problem with the M16 FRN handles because they were not properly designed, not because there is an inherent problem with FRN.
 
The FRN Cara Cara is what I have and it's just fine the way it is, another 2 oz. is overkill.
Use the knife like a knife, and not a pry bar, and you won't have any problems.

Love that Cara Cara by the way.
 
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