Vulcanized Fiber Spacers

true ! why are they still using wood for handles ? it could swell if soaked in water. care for a a knife like a firearm. keep it oiled, and don't run it through the dishwasher or soak it in water. i use both, and would gladly switch to g10 full time but you cannot bend it to fit bolsters like loveless did.
The Gopher said:
""Vulcanized" fiber material absolutely sucks. Literally... it absorbs moisture...

It has all the characteristics of a material that simply cannot stand up to atmospheric conditions."

Replacing the words "Vulcanized fiber" with "wood" is also a true statement...
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If it was good enough for the late great Bob Loveless, it's good enough for me. I have some very very thin fiber I use. I have sold probably over 1500 knives in the last 35 years and have never heard of anyone having a problem with it.
 
I use the fibre spacers. I think the colors look better than micarta or G10. I also stick the scales and the spacers in cactus juice under vacuum, then bake them to cure. I haven't had a problem yet, but I've only been doing this for a couple years. Earlier on I saturated them with epoxy, or sealed them with CA. I think the spacers are no more problematic than wood, and we have many ways to make wood more durable. :thumbup:
 
This is a great discussion and I believe it reaffirms my choice and desire to use vulcanized fiber (VF) spacers in my knives which are primarily composed of exotic hard burl woods or other natural materials. Heck, I am finally making myself a personal hunting knife and plan to use VF on it due to the solid and natural colors available.

A swamp, diving, military, dishwasher-destined-chef or other hard use (i.e. abused use) knife obviously should use other materials as spacers. Actually, they probably should not use spacers at all. . . .
 
Heated topic!
Personally I think the only thing that vulcanised liners have going for them is the color.
Translucency of the red is a real killer. always wondered why that cant figure that out, orange g10 isnt translucent!
But if you want black or white or any other of the various colors you cant get in fiber, go with g10. it glues better, its flatter, it doesnt char as easily, and none of this swelling nonsense.

Tom Lewis said:
If it was good enough for the late great Bob Loveless, it's good enough for me.
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And yet Bob Loveless did not share the same thought for his forebears when he was pioneering the use of stainless steels and synthetic handles.
 
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