Toxic G-10 wise?

J

Jamesh Bond

Joined
Jan 14, 2007
Messages
1,760
I have been seeing a lot lately on this forum regarding the toxicity of G-10. I must confess I didn't know this before, and it raises some safety concerns.

Now that I know this, I wouldn't want a knife with this handle material, especially for a hard use knife, a camp/outdoor knife for preparing food and such, or a knife that would be handled alot. I would think that, although the danger is negligible, there would still be some cumulative exposure from handling a highly toxic substance on a contunuing basis!

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks
 
There isn't any kind of dust that's good to breathe. G-10 dust is worse than most, but whatever handle material you're grinding you need to wear a good mask.

If you're not grinding it there's no problem at all.
 
I'm aware that it is the dust that is toxic. Still makes me wonder about the handles though. Theoretically, use could create dust, and having a toxic material in constant contact with your body or around food seems like a bad idea.
Is the dust only toxic when you breathe it, then?
 
Garett and Cougar are correct.

G10 is epoxy glass laminate. When you grind G10, the primary concern is particles of ground up glass getting into the lungs. A standard dust mask is sufficient protection.
 
Jamesh Bond said:
I'm aware that it is the dust that is toxic. Still makes me wonder about the handles though. Theoretically, use could create dust, and having a toxic material in constant contact with your body or around food seems like a bad idea.
Is the dust only toxic when you breathe it, then?
Click to expand...

It's pretty much to produce dust with normal use. The only thing you can really do to G-10 is snap it, and I don't think that would even produce dust. Until you bring a grinder/sandpaper into the picture, that is.
 
I think for G-10 a good respirator is sufficient. I wouldn't want to rely on a dust mask.

I don't know that toxic applies to G-10 - I suspect if you ate some it would go through you unchanged. You might need some prep H afterwards, though.
 
You won't be able to make any G10 dust with normal use. Even if you were to snap it the amount would be so tiny that it isn't a concern. It is only really a problem if you are constantly around large amounts of dust, or even just large amounts of dust ever.

So as long as grinding down your handle scales isn't in the plan just forget about it and enjoy the knife. G10 is a great material for a user.
 
G-10 has a bad rap for the dust being toxic. Yes it is not good to breath I agree, but its not really that much different than say, what a boat hull is made out of. Believe me this stuff is not a new idea, might be kind of new to knife scales. Anyways what people feel in there lungs is ground glass. Yes thats NOT GOOD. But I know a certain snuff company that puts glass in its dip, to micro cut your lip to let that ba..ak..er in your blood. Anyways flame me if you want but I dipped for years(I have quit now 2 yrs) and I know some dip roughed up your lip more than others. Anyways dip is not good either I agree! But toxic, I mean real toxic..like drink Drano and die toxic, I don't think so. The dust just roughs up your lungs. So wear a dust mask, don't breath the dust in and you lungs and life will be fine. I cut my boy's food up with my mini manix all the time. I wouldn't if I had the least bit of worry about g-10. So take this long post for what is worth, and please don't be scared of g-10.
 
Jamesh Bond said:
I'm aware that it is the dust that is toxic. Still makes me wonder about the handles though. Theoretically, use could create dust, and having a toxic material in constant contact with your body or around food seems like a bad idea.
Is the dust only toxic when you breathe it, then?
Click to expand...

Once the epoxy is cured it is no longer reactive. It is considered inert. Handling cured epoxy is not known to cause any skin reactions and no personal protective equipment is required for handling it.

Having cured epoxy around food is not hazardous. I suppose I would not want to boil it and then drink the water, but just having it around food is not an issue.

As for the dust, it's on the order of handling fiberglass insulation. It's abrasive to the skin and you would want to wash it off, but it is not considered toxic. If you were going to be exposed to it day-in dayout like in a factory where you personally were grinding the stuff, I would recommend wearing a shop coat or a tyvek coveral. But for daily use of a knife handle I see no issues.

The dust is not toxic per se. It's not like it causes a chemical or biochemical reaction. It is not poisonous. The dust is abrasive to the lungs and it can cause damage to them through that abrasiveness.

Hope that clarifies.
 
Sorry, double post. My system burped.
 
That clears things up alot. I wouldn't see breathing any dust an existent issue when just using a knife.
Thanx!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top