Thoughts on spyderco's CF handles.

J

jla3156

Joined
Jan 20, 2014
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116
Thinking about pre-ordering the native 5 with CF handle and s110v blade but I'm unsure about it.
 
I really prefer their G10. The Carbon Fiber doesn't have a quality feel in the knives I've handled. YMMV, but I always disliked G10 before getting experience with lots of other synthetic materials. I love Micarta, but other than that G10 is where it's at, especially on Spyderco knives. Of course, every ply CF has a different texture, and it wouldn't surprise me to find one in the future I liked better than G10 -
 
I've handled several of spyderco's CF knives and a few others as well (Sebenza CF, Boker plus something) and spyderco's twill weave is my favorite both in terms of look and feel, I'm a big fan of CF in general and as long as it isn't polished smooth I actually really like the feel it offers.

In order-
•Spyderco's twill weave (like the Sage 1, GB and several others)
•Spyderco's "Bill Cosby sweater" weave (like on the domino/dice and new Sage3), didn't care for it in pictures, really like it in person.
•CRK's flat CF (like on the knifeart exclusive, not sure of inlays are the same), looks beautiful but has a smooth finish
•the Boker plus CF (not sure the model), the pattern is much less defined and it was smooth, looked cool but not what you think of when you think CF.
•Spyderco's extra fine weave CF (like the native 4 and old ZDP stretch), don't like the look at all but can't complain of the grip.

Sometime in the near future I have a few projects planned (including a knife and 1911 grips) and I will be using a sheet of "670 pattern" carbon fiber.
 
jla3156 said:
Yea I don't know how grippy they will be. I've never owned one.
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I'm fairly certain the CF that's going on the Native will have a fluted texture that Spyderco has never used before. So, unless I'm terribly mistaken, nobody else has experience with it either. However, I'm guessing it will offer about the same amount of traction as the diamond and twill textured CF on some of the models from Taiwan, and they are grippy enough for me.
 
The Deacon said:
I'm fairly certain the CF that's going on the Native will have a fluted texture that Spyderco has never used before. So, unless I'm terribly mistaken, nobody else has experience with it either. However, I'm guessing it will offer about the same amount of traction as the diamond and twill textured CF on some of the models from Taiwan, and they are grippy enough for me.
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Can't wait till I see it! This is the longest I've waited for a knife. :o
 
I have the Gayle Bradly and really like the CF scales. It is surprisingly grippy. Seems like the harder you put pressure the more grip it gives you. I still prefer G10, but would not pass over a Spydie with CF.
 
The Deacon said:
I'm fairly certain the CF that's going on the Native will have a fluted texture that Spyderco has never used before. So, unless I'm terribly mistaken, nobody else has experience with it either. However, I'm guessing it will offer about the same amount of traction as the diamond and twill textured CF on some of the models from Taiwan, and they are grippy enough for me.
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I actually heard that the S110v CF will be in peel ply G10 in the same spirit as the S90v CF sprints. The fluted CF N5 and PM2 are concepts that have not been announced to dealers and are different products. At least that's what Ive read on several threads. If true, Im not conplaining... That makes TWO CF N5's!
 
Stays Sharp said:
I actually heard that the S110v CF will be in peel ply G10 in the same spirit as the S90v CF sprints. The fluted CF N5 and PM2 are concepts that have not been announced to dealers and are different products. At least that's what Ive read on several threads. If true, Im not conplaining... That makes TWO CF N5's!
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This is my understanding also, although if the N5 peel ply I have preordered showed up as fluted, I would be VERY happy
 
jvarn81 said:
GP keeps sending me emails to make sure my billing info hasn't changed.....maybe they know its soon gonna ship.....:D
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Yeah, I was lucky enough to catch that preorder on the first day and they sent me a total of three emails I believe... The first was in December (or November) which is noteworthy since the preorder closed like 8 months ago. Maybe it is coming soon!
 
Cereal_killer said:
I've handled several of spyderco's CF knives and a few others as well (Sebenza CF, Boker plus something) and spyderco's twill weave is my favorite both in terms of look and feel, I'm a big fan of CF in general and as long as it isn't polished smooth I actually really like the feel it offers.

In order-
•Spyderco's twill weave (like the Sage 1, GB and several others)
•Spyderco's "Bill Cosby sweater" weave (like on the domino/dice and new Sage3), didn't care for it in pictures, really like it in person.
•CRK's flat CF (like on the knifeart exclusive, not sure of inlays are the same), looks beautiful but has a smooth finish
•the Boker plus CF (not sure the model), the pattern is much less defined and it was smooth, looked cool but not what you think of when you think CF.
•Spyderco's extra fine weave CF (like the native 4 and old ZDP stretch), don't like the look at all but can't complain of the grip.

Sometime in the near future I have a few projects planned (including a knife and 1911 grips) and I will be using a sheet of "670 pattern" carbon fiber.
Click to expand...


The CF like the Sage I and Gayle Bradley use is probably my favorite scale material of all for a factory setup. It was actually hard to take the CF off my GB even for my anso'd CTEK's.
 
Here are my observations regarding the CF and CF laminate variants Spyderco has used and which I own, or have owned specimens:

US made peel-ply CF (Military) - offers the most grip. Very aggressive, too much so for my tastes. In a pinch, it could probably be used to sand your calluses, so it's a pocket shredder extraordinaire. The peel-ply also makes it hard to see the CF weave, so it sacrifices a lot of the "CF look".

Japanese peel-ply CF (Stretch) - Next in line in terms of grip. Not quite as aggressive as the stuff used in Golden. About comparable to brand new peel-ply G-10 but, unlike G-10, it retains that level of aggressiveness indefinitely. Like the US stuff, it sacrifices a lot of the "CF look" and is almost as good at shredding pockets.

Taichung's twill weave CF laminate (Sage I, Chaparral I, Terzuola SlipIt) - my personal favorite since, IMHO, it offers the best balance of traction and looks.

Taichung's diamond weave CF laminate (Sage III) - traction is about the same as the twill, look does not appeal to me quite as much

Polished glossy CF (various from Japan, Klotzli C22 Walker) - used on models from Japan and Switzerland - arguably the prettiest CF, but as slick as glass, and the gel coat top layer that gives it depth tends to chip when drilled for screws and lanyard pipes.

Smooth matte CF - (T-Mag, Caly 3, Klotzli C22 Walker) has been used on models from the US, Japan, and Switzerland - when used as flat slabs it has a lackluster appearance (no pun intended), combined with traction only marginally better than glossy CF. Appearance is somewhat better when rounded, as on the Kiwi and Kopa.
 
The peel ply carbon fiber from Spyderco is my favorite!

Great grip and an understated look :thumbup:
 
neverdie36 said:
The carbon fiber on the native will be akin to G10. Not quite as grippy but not as smooth as a polished CF.
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+1
To the best of my knowledge, CF on S110V Native5 will be peel-ply. You will not be complaining about the grip. Also in the future Spyderco plans to make Native5 with Fluted CF. Steel is unknown to me.
 
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