What handle material? G10 vs CF

[Charlie Mike]

Say you have a SnG in CF and one in G10, identical otherwise. Which would be stronger?

 

[amen74]

Equal strength. They're both plastic with fiberglas.

 

[Phillip Dobson]

Equal strength. They're both plastic with fiberglas.

Not quite correct. Carbon fiber is just that.

For abuse, I'd take G10. Carbon fiber looks amazing, but only if it's well polished. I'd hate to scratch up some perfectly finished CF. CF is also 4-times the cost.

 

[Skimo]

G-10/Micarta isn't plastic with fiberglass.

I submit this link supporting my claim.

http://www.jjorly.com/g10_fr4_sheets_fabricator.htm

 

[amen74]

I stand corrected guys. Just jumped the gun there. :thumbup:

 

[Charlie Mike]

What I'd like to know:

Would a knife with a CF/G10 slab with integral spacer and a Ti .160" locking slab (SMF/SnG) be stronger than an all Ti handle with Ti spacer?

 

[cbxer55]

I'd take the titanium.:thumbup:

 

[knarfeng]

Say you have a SnG in CF and one in G10, identical otherwise. Which would be stronger?

Equal strength. They're both plastic with fiberglas.

Not quite correct. Carbon fiber is just that.

For abuse, I'd take G10. Carbon fiber looks amazing, but only if it's well polished. I'd hate to scratch up some perfectly finished CF. CF is also 4-times the cost.

For a knife handle you would not notice the difference.

G10 is layers of woven glass fabric impregnated with epoxy resin.
CF is layers of woven carbon fiber fabric impregnated with epoxy resin.

CF has a higher strength to weight ratio compared to glass fiber. But it is directional in the direction of the fibers. Since any stress on the handle is likely to be 90° to that, you will never notice the difference.

 

[knarfeng]

What I'd like to know:

Would a knife with a CF/G10 slab with integral spacer and a Ti .160" locking slab (SMF/SnG) be stronger than an all Ti handle with Ti spacer?

see post above. The Ti would be stronger because its strength is not directional.

 

[Charlie Mike]

see post above. The Ti would be stronger because its strength is not directional.

Thanks. That's what I've decided on then for my Emerson Super Raven B handle conversion. A toxic or flame ano would be nice.

 

[amen74]

Ti wins out? That CF would look sweet though.

 

[Charlie Mike]

Ti wins out? That CF would look sweet though.

Form follows function for me.

 

[_habit_]

Are G10 and Micarta the same thing or not? I see some people/places throw them around together. Has me confused.

 

[Edgyone]

Are G10 and Micarta the same thing or not? I see some people/places throw them around together. Has me confused.

Different.

My understanding :foot: is that Micarta is any of paper/linen cloth/canvas impregnated with epoxy. The 'feel' can be quite different for each of them.

As described above, G10 is woven glass fabric impregnated with epoxy.

Hope that helps.

 

[Emanuel]

Are G10 and Micarta the same thing or not? I see some people/places throw them around together. Has me confused.

Sometimes the names are mixed up, but in reality micarta is a canvass (or paper or linen) reinforcement in a phenolic resin matrix system.

While ofcourse CF (carbon fibre reinforecement) and G-10 (glass cloth reinforecement) both use epoxy resin, not phenolic resin.

 

[Emanuel]

I must add:

If you ever grind up these materials you'll see that micarta and G-10 smell completely differently. It's not only the reinforecement that is different, but the resin used is mostly what you are smelling and ofcourse it's a completely different one.

I know because in the past I was a bit lax with my safety and I was not always using a very good mask. Which ofcourse was a very bad idea but I seem to be ok.

 

[Edgyone]

Sometimes the names are mixed up, but in reality micarta is a canvass (or paper or linen) reinforcement in a phenolic resin matrix system.

While of course CF (carbon fibre reinforecement) and G-10 (glass cloth reinforecement) both use epoxy resin, not phenolic resin.

Ta, I was lazy with my language! double :foot:

According to Wikipedia (which isn't always the best guide ): Micarta industrial laminates are normally phenolic, epoxy, silicone, or melamine resin based thermoset materials reinforced with fiberglass, cotton cloth, paper, carbon fiber or other substrates.

I can't comment on which are the most common in knife making though

Baah, it's all good stuff. I love my G10 handles, Micarta handles and Ti handles! :thumbup:

 

[ROBB]

Years ago I was at the NY knife show it was when G10 1'st became popular I asked Allen Elishewitz which was stronger and he said G10.

 

[elkins45]

Thanks. That's what I've decided on then for my Emerson Super Raven B handle conversion. A toxic or flame ano would be nice.

You mean like this?

I never overlook an opportunity to show my only custom folder, this Ti framelock by Chuck Gedraitis.

 

[_habit_]

You mean like this?



I never overlook an opportunity to show my only custom folder, this Ti framelock by Chuck Gedraitis.

Nice! Got any more pictures? Looks Tom Mayo inspired to my eye.