OPINIONS: Kray-Ex v. G10

J

Johnny Canuck

Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
43
Hello fellows,

I am looking at a Cold Steel knife and I like it. My main concern are the scales for the handle Kray-Ex. It appears to just be rubber?! I would think a knife in the price range I am looking at would have something like G-10.

What are the positives and negatives or Kray-Ex?

How does it compare to G10?

Do I have anything to worry about?

Thank you,

JC
 
I love the Kray-Ex handles on a working knife. Great grip and shock absorption.

It's not a matter of price point. Fallkniven uses that or a similar material on knives with a much, much higher price tag.

It may not feel as nice in hand while sitting in front of the tv, but after processing a bunch of wood in the cold your hands will thank you.
 
Hello fellows, thank you for the feedback. Is this material essentially a "hardened rubber"? Or is it something else? It is not sold in my area, so I have to buy blind on the Internet.

Cordially,

JC
 
I used to own a cold steel recon scout, and from what i remember it wasn't necessarily a hardened rubber. It was flexible like rubber, but i believe whatever chemicals they used to cook up the material gave it a leg up in regards to withstanding hot/cold temperature fluctuations and to erosive chemicals compared to regular rubber.

Also, compared to G10....a well sculpted G10 handle contoured to fit your hand would probably be more comfortable. My main issues with the Kray-Ex is that they generally don't fill my hand properly leading to some finger/hand fatigue from gripping to handle to hard to control it properly. Some G10 materials are better than others too. I think Survive Knives makes the most comfortable G10 of any G10 handles I've owned. Other G10 handles are like glass slabs on a blade, you don't get much in way of a positive feedback from them. All just my opinion of course.
 
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I assume it's Kraton.

Same as the brand name "Grivory" changing to "Griv-Ex" in their advertising material, and "Zytel" changing to "Zy-Ex".
 
Never heard of Kray-Ex until now. If it is like Falknivens Grilon then I'm not a fan. I have a Falkniven PXLwh with Grilon.
 
It's difficult to describe accurately. It's not a "hard" rubber, but you don't get a lot of flex or any twist.

Since your first reaction to it was what it was, I'd hold off on a purchase until you can get one in hand. It's kind of a love it or hate it material.
 
I like Kraton used by Cold Steel and SOG; never heard of Kray-Ex. Kraton is neat stuff, never had a problem, nice and grippy. I had the Cold Steel version for about 15 years and the SOG still have for about 10.
 
I wonder if Kray-Ex is a new name for Kraton, which CS has used for a long time. Several of my CS knives, an original tanto, SRK, California drop-point and Master Hunter use this for grips. It's great stuff, IMHO, similar to Pachmayr pistol grips. Very durable, resistant to solvents, and still affords a good grip when wet, cold, greasy or bloody -- ideal for field dressing (Master Hunter). Fallkniven uses a similar material in its F1 and some other blades, termed Thermorun, which is a bit harder and doesn't quite give as good a grip as Kraton (but still good enough).
 
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