When FRN meets -55 temps...

[Runs With Scissors]

In a different thread a few weeks ago Sal mentioned that he'd had reports of FRN breaking in -40 temps.

I got extremely brave and borrowed my wifes new waved Delica to test this out on my last hitch (I work in the oilfields on the North Slope of Alaska)

The windchill was frequently around 70 below, and there were several days when the ambient temp was around 55-60 degrees below zero.

I rode the knife around in the back of my work truck to be sure it "felt" the cold. I then cut hard with it, did medium pry work (as much as any reasonable person should expect from any folder under even the best of circumstances) I slammed the lock, threw the knife and bounced it off of steel pipe. (think I voided my warranty? )

So what does happen when an FRN handled knife is abused at extreme cold temps?





















absolutely nothing.

 

[darthsoaker]

I think they mean nuked at -40.

Anyone wanna test that out?

 

[Hesparus]

it looks like the knife was in less danger than you potentially were from your wife for trying to bust her new knife...

- Chris

 

[Phil Brown]

FRN may not be the prettiest handle material, but it sure seems to handle a lot of abuse. At those temperatures, kydex has the toughness of a ritz cracker. It sounds like the FRN handled Spydies should outlast most of my equipment - including me - in extreme cold.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Thanx much Runs,

Appreciate the information and the test.

Stay warm.

sal

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I was pretty impressed. I still wouldn't rely on it alone, but when it gets that cold EVERYTHING breaks. I also carry a spare sledge hammer in my truck for the same reason.

The knife did extremely well. Better than I'll fare if my wife stumbles across this post and finds out what I subjected her knife to.

BTW, Sal the Iditarod started Saturday....incredible athletes aint they? even if they don't make prime time or get billion dollar team contracts.

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6173869

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Runs,

My wife, Gail, and I were pretty close to the Iditarod a while back. Donated knives to all of the contestants one year.

We have two sets of the numbered silver Iditarod pins. thanx for the heads up, I get to watch the day by day.

Great race.

sal

 

[CuriousOne]

I got extremely brave and borrowed my wifes new waved Delica

So... what was the plan to tell the wife if it did get damaged? Good to know though!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

She knew I was taking it, just not what I was doing with it. Had it broken, she wouldn't have blinked an eye. She's gotten used to me breaking things- especially up there.

I came back from my last hitch and handed her about 22 pieces of what used to be a cell phone.

Her: What happened?

me: shrugs-"Idunno" It was 'round 90 below wind chill the other day and the phone came outta my pocket that way. reckon it didn't like the cold weather....

Her: *sigh* we'll getcha a new one next hitch.....

Had I managed to break the Delica, I would have just given her a choice of any other knife to replace it.

(She just a few minutes ago showed me a Kopa with with some kinda fancy blue inlays that she wants)

She's been a Benchmade girl for years, but she's slowly coming into the light.