Why doesn't Spyderco use liners?

One other thing I would like to add. I would think as a society we would have to be embarrassed if we could not create a good knife with a plastic composite handle. It's 2005. Come on people. All "plastic" handled knives I have ever handles have been very very strong and hard workers. Just look at Glock or HK handguns.
 
the FRN scales are very tough. trust me.

torquing down on my old native, i broke the blade before the handles (granted, the handles flexed quite a bit).


sorry, i don't have pics. :(
 
An unlined plastic handle is strong enough for most everyday cutting (string, boxes, packages, paper, etc).
But adding dual steel or titanium liners to that same knife will definitely increase its strength in many aspects.

And dual metal liners also allow for a greater selection for pocket-clip placement (right, left, tip-up, or tip-down).

Also, dual metal liners lend themselves to all-screw construction--and most guys like to tinker and disassemble their toys.

So you get greater overall strength, clip placement options, and the ability to disassemble--all at the cost of merely a few onces.
Why would anyone not want dual liners?


For me, the real question is: why dual steel or titanium liners and G-10?
FRN plastic slabs on titanium liners would work just fine and still keep the cost down.

Cheers,
Allen.
 
allenC said:
An unlined plastic handle is strong enough for most everyday cutting (string, boxes, packages, paper, etc).
But adding dual steel or titanium liners to that same knife will definitely increase its strength in many aspects.

And dual metal liners also allow for a greater selection for pocket-clip placement (right, left, tip-up, or tip-down).

Also, dual metal liners lend themselves to all-screw construction--and most guys like to tinker and disassemble their toys.

So you get greater overall strength, clip placement options, and the ability to disassemble--all at the cost of merely a few onces.
Why would anyone not want dual liners?


For me, the real question is: why dual steel or titanium liners and G-10?
FRN plastic slabs on titanium liners would work just fine and still keep the cost down.

Cheers,
Allen.
Click to expand...


Allen,

That is exactly why I bought a 550 Griptilian. It has plastic handles, partial liners, is very strong yet light due to plastic (Zytel) handles. I can also take it apart and adjust the pivot.
 
The FRN is very tough, and actually reasonably grippy--except when wet. In the wet is where G10 really shines--it actually gets grippier somehow. FRN is a superior deal, no disagreement here, but for looks and performance, if I can afford it, I'm getting G10.

And I want dual liners. And I don't want partial liners like on my para. I want full liners like on my d2 minigrip.
 
Generally speaking light in weight is good. The Frn Delica weighs about 1/2 what the all steel version weighs. Sal would put a VG10 blade in the Frn model and an AUS 6 blade in the steel version. The Frn proved to stand some abuses that the all steel version did not. They ran over both models in the parking lot with a car. The Frn remained functional the all steel version did not. That is the reason Sal put the higher quality steel in the higher performing knife. Some of this information translates to liners...Ed
 
Don't flame me on my question folks!

I'm not unhappy with Spyderco's construction at all. Great knives and company (even if they did stop putting the word Military on their Military models in order to satisfy the legal beagles).

It just seems that everytime I look down at the knife with the blade open there seems to be something missing in the space where the blade sits, looks a bit naked sort of. I sometimes think if I squeeze the handle hard I'll crack one of the scales. It has never happened.

I don't know if this construction method is used because of the way they rivit the scales together. For years they made their knives with stainless steel liners with which is what I am most accustomed. See below for their police model. I really don't think weight on most folders is an issue.

http://spyderco.com/
 
Ed Schempp said:
Generally speaking light in weight is good. The Frn Delica weighs about 1/2 what the all steel version weighs. Sal would put a VG10 blade in the Frn model and an AUS 6 blade in the steel version. The Frn proved to stand some abuses that the all steel version did not. They ran over both models in the parking lot with a car. The Frn remained functional the all steel version did not. That is the reason Sal put the higher quality steel in the higher performing knife. Some of this information translates to liners...Ed
Click to expand...

That is amazing. I guess FRN is tough.
 
If it bothers you at all, there are knives available that have plastic handles and liners. SOG has a series of lockback knives with plastic handles, liners, and even bolsters.

-Bob
 
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