Why are G10 handles so popular?

Chemical resistant.
Strong.
Available in a wide range of colours (even multi-colour).
Available pre-textured if desired.

For anyone who thinks it's cheap, go price it for sale.
I have, when making knives; wood is usually cheaper.
Carbon fiber costs more then G-10 (a LOT more), but ain't gonna provide any benefits on a knife handle other than if you like how it looks.
 
I like g-10 because it is a no nonsense material that doesn't stain and is tougher than FRN. Warmer than steel or Ti. More stable than wood.

I like canvas micarta better though, but you don't see that as an option on production folding knives.
 
I love both as each have pros/cons, but actually micarta is my personal preference for vintage looks.
Buyer/market basically decides what mfn will put on as scale.
 
Most G10 looks okay and has a decent grip. Most FRN looks and feels cheap. If I wasn't a cheapskate and horse trader that liked to keep knives stock, my Spyderdo native and ritter griptilian would have G10. I don't mind micarta and wood's good too. But FRN :barf:

What I really don't get is paying a premium for carbon fiber :p.
 
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I actually prefer micarta to G10 I think it feels "warmer" and has more grip when wet, but much of that is texture. To me FRN feels nothing but cheap, I tried to like the BM Grips but the cheap plastic "cold" feel I could never get used to.

G10 is some of the most durable material available for knife handles that isn't metal, which isn't any fun to use in the extreme cold or heat unless you wear gloves all the time.

Carbon fiber is okay if it's textured, smooth CF is worthless for any tactile grip, especially when wet, it just looks pretty, so are Ti handles, but both are the current fad in high end knives. I personally believe it's more of a representation of how few of these high end knives sees real daily use.
 
I like the texture and the look.
It makes a knife look more expensive.
The average FRN knife has a lot of friction between the blade and handle, the average G10 knife would have liners and a lot less friction.
G10 knives with liners offer a lot more options in lock types.
 
Perception. G10 is generally perceived as a higher quality material than other composites. Personally, I feel that you can make a fairly strong case for either FRN (weight and cost-reduction) or micarta (warmth and offers great grip without being abrasive) being objectively superior choices, but most people don't feel that way.
 
Stays Sharp said:
Umm ok. In the end, G10 outsells titanium. By a large margin. That was just a point I was saying.

The main point is, for a knife craze.... Ti probably account for 1% of OVERALL sales.. micarta, wood, metal, bone, G10, FRN are ever more present in what is purchased. Your example of metal Kershaws suport that even more. There are knife brands who rival and even outsell the big 3 in volume that do not even have ONE Ti folder in their lineup.
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I get what you're saying. I was slightly sleepy when posting.

However what I was saying is that regardless of whether the framelock or even liner lock is made of titanium or steel, there are a large amount of both out there that do not have a g10(or other material) face, that fall into a really affordable range. I wasn't talking about Ti versus G10, per se, only g10 as a craze versus all metal framelocks.

I believe the steel versions are lower cost options in the same vein of the "titanium framelock craze". That is, the intention is to cash in on the type of knife by aiming at customers unlikely to spend more than $50-$100 on a knife. Lumping them in with the other materials makes no sense when they are clearly designed to emulate the more expensive titanium versions.

A good example would be all the Hinderer collabs, from ZT titanium framelocks like the 0562 and 0560, to the steel versions like the 0550 and 0566, to the Cryo which is of a similar design but is all steel. The Cryo and others like it appeal to people who want the pricier knives but don't want to pay for them. That accounts for more of the general market in this Ti fad you're talking about.

Also, I would probably agree with the G10 selling more than Ti or any other all metal knives. Assuming by default that a G10 face scale puts it in the G10 category. Just saying that the 1% thing is probably not that close.
 
Its an incredibly strong, durable, and lightweight material. Not to mention it resists hot, cold, and electricity. Helps protect your hands. Its great stuff.
 
Oakengroves said:
Ultimately, G10 is extremely popular because it is versatile, relatively cheap to produce, and for whatever reason, leaves consumers with the impression that it is a "quality" handle material.

I'll take carbon fiber, titanium, and natural materials over G10 any day of the week.
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So would I....but we'll pay more money for those.

I like G-10 and I consider it a quality handle material. It's very strong, will take any texture a maker wants to give it, feels very good in hand, good for hot or cold weather, electrically neutral, won't melt, doesn't seem to crack, doesn't scratch easily, IMO the perfect amount of 'grippiness' (even when wet)....etc. I would trust G-10 to be strong even without liners. It is an extremely versatile handle material in terms of final finish/texture. I wish it came in more colors though.

I way prefer genuine Zytel to the random formula FRN's out there. FRN also feels and appears much "cheaper" than G-10 to me.
 
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EChoil said:
So would I....but we'll pay more money for those.

I like G-10 and I consider it a quality handle material. It's very strong, will take any texture a maker wants to give it, feels very good in hand, good for hot or cold weather, won't melt, doesn't seem to crack, doesn't scratch easily, IMO the perfect amount of 'grippiness'....etc. I would trust G-10 to be strong even without liners. It is an extremely versatile handle material in terms of final finish/texture. I wish it came in more colors though.

I way prefer Zytel to FRN. FRN feels and appears much "cheaper" than G-10 to me.
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I had a great time reshaping my 531. G10 has the bonus of not changing colors or showing wear after mods.


 
ToddM said:
Carbon fiber is okay if it's textured, smooth CF is worthless for any tactile grip, especially when wet, it just looks pretty, so are Ti handles, but both are the current fad in high end knives. I personally believe it's more of a representation of how few of these high end knives sees real daily use.
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^^^^^^ True about smooth CF :thumbup:
 
Personal taste. I prefer G10. Its more rigid and to me is more versatile. You can create various G10 laminates and create some very interesting patterns which just isnt possible with G10. And FRN in my experience can get slick when wet. I rarely have this issue with G10.
 
ToddM said:
Carbon fiber is okay if it's textured, smooth CF is worthless for any tactile grip, especially when wet
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Not if the handle design is correct:





Smooth lightning strike carbon fiber, but the handle locks into the hand.
You'll notice no lanyard hole...because it doesn't need one.
Swing and chop away in perfect safety. :)

Handle design is more important than materials used.
 
Oakengroves said:
I'm not a fan of G10 because it fails to excel at anything in particular and is over-used (especially black G10). There is extremely little functional difference between G10 and FRN in terms of strength. G10, however, is usually heavier than FRN and has a gritty, scratchy texture that devours pockets and makes knives uncomfortable for extended use without gloves.

At the same time, G10 lacks the novelty and appeal of expensive handle materials that are equal in strength or stronger, including carbon fiber, titanium, and aluminum.

Ultimately, G10 is extremely popular because it is versatile, relatively cheap to produce, and for whatever reason, leaves consumers with the impression that it is a "quality" handle material.

I'll take carbon fiber, titanium, and natural materials over G10 any day of the week.
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Not boring at all IMO; easy as pie to work with, cheap, strong, readily available, variety of colours...

14170958754_aaa10edd0f_c.jpg


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15775165405_eb6296461f_c.jpg
 
Great looking blade, more info please.

stabman said:
Not if the handle design is correct:





Smooth lightning strike carbon fiber, but the handle locks into the hand.
You'll notice no lanyard hole...because it doesn't need one.
Swing and chop away in perfect safety. :)

Handle design is more important than materials used.
Click to expand...
 
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