Why No Aluminum Handle Spydies???

J

jtallant

Joined
Apr 26, 2007
Messages
113
I was sitting here looking at and wondering how I would improve the Endura I have. Ony one thing comes to mind. Weight!!! I chose the FRN model to save weight. But it feels less than sturdy. So I was thinking why not split the differnce between the heavy/sturdy SS handle and lite weight/more flexible FRN and make one in aluiminum??? Get sturdiness and lite weight all in one!!!

This is not at all exclusive to the Endura/Delica models. I wished there were more options in handle materials in the lower priced lines. Seems a little unfair you go from FRN to SS (at lower cost) then jump all the way to G10 and Titanium (which seems to tripple or quadrouple the price point).
 
The flexibility of FRN is what makes it desireable as a handle material. If I wanted a stiff knife with no give, I'd get a SS handle. Aluminum feels cheap to me. It scratches very easily, and it's way too light.

Then again, I hate aluminum handles, so I'm probably the last person you'd want to respond:p
 
smcfalls13 said:
The flexibility of FRN is what makes it desireable as a handle material. If I wanted a stiff knife with no give, I'd get a SS handle. Aluminum feels cheap to me. It scratches very easily, and it's way too light.

Then again, I hate aluminum handles, so I'm probably the last person you'd want to respond:p
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Quality hard anodized aluminum is not that hard to scratch, and makes for a decent handle material. Just trying to think of a lower cost alternative to Ti.
 
I like the idea.
A few were done that way, like the Chinese folder and the the blue almite Walker.
How about a dark blue anodised Police with a flat ground blade?
Wouldn't that be something to have in your pocket every day?
 
jtallant said:
I was sitting here looking at and wondering how I would improve the Endura I have. Ony one thing comes to mind. Weight!!! I chose the FRN model to save weight. But it feels less than sturdy. So I was thinking why not split the differnce between the heavy/sturdy SS handle and lite weight/more flexible FRN and make one in aluiminum??? Get sturdiness and lite weight all in one!!!
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Are you talking about the Endura4? To my mind, that solves just what you're talking about as it's a heavier knife with less (no) flex in the handles.
 
Ther have been several Al handled Police models, both uncoated and coated(Tuffram). They both marked too easily and became very scruffy looking quite quickly. There were some other models too, can't remember what though.
Phil
 
How easily you all forget>> The original C-23 Blackhawk model in the first 2 runs did have an aircraft aluminum handle. I personally still own one of them. It's been well over 10 years since they made them but there were quite a few of them at one time.

It also seems like I was told that some of the Spyderco Salsa models also had aluminum handles.
 
I also would like to see some anodized aluminum handled Spyderco models. I think the up and coming automatic (the Citadel I think it is called) has aluminum handles.
 
I carry R2 (Almite) for five month five days a week. It have some wear on the clip, actually it had, when I bought it used; it has some scratches on the blade, but handle looks fine. It doesn't look cheap, at least for me. I bought couple weeks ago a folder with titanium handle and I found it below my expectations. May be it is just me. I will not hesitate to buy Almite and I will think twice to consider titanium.
 
The R-2 is one of the best aluminum Spydercos I have seen. The "S" is another good one that doesn't get much press but it is a nice little blade even if it is the dreaded compression lock. :barf:
 
mnblade said:
Are you talking about the Endura4? To my mind, that solves just what you're talking about as it's a heavier knife with less (no) flex in the handles.
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Yes I do have an Endura4. Sal knows my the problems I've had with it and he's personally promised me to solve them as soon as I send it in for replacement. But still doesn't help with torsional rigidity. The handle is too long for such a thin FRN material even with the steel liners. When I'm cutting down boxes, I can feel the handle flexing in hand under just moderate cutting chores.

After reading here I was convinced the FRN model is plenty strong but in my own personal testing doesn't meet my standards. If known b4 hand I would have lived with the extra weight of the SS model. Hence I'm trying to help form an alternative and split the diffence of the two types.
 
bh49 said:
I carry R2 (Almite) for five month five days a week. It have some wear on the clip, actually it had, when I bought it used; it has some scratches on the blade, but handle looks fine. It doesn't look cheap, at least for me. I bought couple weeks ago a folder with titanium handle and I found it below my expectations. May be it is just me. I will not hesitate to buy Almite and I will think twice to consider titanium.
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kgriggs8 said:
The R-2 is one of the best aluminum Spydercos I have seen. The "S" is another good one that doesn't get much press but it is a nice little blade even if it is the dreaded compression lock. :barf:
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So, is the R2 the only current production Spyderco using aluminum grips?
 
jtallant said:
Quality hard anodized aluminum is not that hard to scratch, and makes for a decent handle material. Just trying to think of a lower cost alternative to Ti.
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True, but I was under the impression that a decent hard anodizing was fairly expensive, thus negating the "lower cost" alternative.

Could be wrong though, I'm very biased again aluminum:p
 
smcfalls13 said:
True, but I was under the impression that a decent hard anodizing was fairly expensive, thus negating the "lower cost" alternative.

Could be wrong though, I'm very biased again aluminum:p
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Yeh, maybe a slightly higher cost than SS but it would be considerably less than Titanium with all the weight savings.
 
jtallant said:
Yeh, maybe a slightly higher cost than SS but it would be considerably less than Titanium with all the weight savings.
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Aluminium is allmost half the weight of titanium, if you want you can add steel liners and still have the same weight.
 
It appears that none of the previous aluminum handled Spydercos were barn burners in terms of sales. Can't say I'm crazy about it as a handle material, so guess I'm another one to whom the idea of bringing out new aluminum models doesn't really sound exciting.

On a brighter note, if you absolutely, positively have to have an aluminum handled Endura, there is probably a way to get one. Try contacting STR, he even has his own sub-forum here. From what I've seen, he has rebuilt other Spydercos with aluminum handles, so I'd bet he could rebuild an Endura that way for you.

- Dan
 
Bandogge said:
Besides the S, the Byrd Raven and Crow also have feathered aluminium handles.
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I have one of the Raven's ordered and on the way as I type this. Will report on how I like it. I've also thought about getting the SS Cara Cara with G10 scales and drilling out lightening holes in the steel under the scales.
 
We've built quite a few aluminum handles beginning in the early 90's. Civilian, Police models, Blackhawks, Renegades, Terzuola's in two sizes, Ayoob, Walkers, Chinese folders, Salsa's, R & R2, Raven, Crow, "S" and probably some I'm missing.

Our customers like aluminum, but not as much as they like other handle materials. We've used: SS, micarta, aluminum, G-10, Carbon fiber, FRN, Titanium, as well as numerous scale materials supportd by SS.

Aluminum is about the same cost as SS.

G-10 is not 3 times the cost of FRN.

I don't know what type of "testing" you are doing that FRN does not serve? FRN has served well all over the world, from Anarctica to the North sea.....But, that's why we use so many different handle materials.

FRN is certainly as tough as Aluminum, and does resist "dings" better.

Aluminum will bend and stay bent....FRN may flex a tad, but it straightens out.

Uncoated aluminum scratches easily and coated aluminum scratches as well.

You may have some "personal preferences" that you might see as "improvement", but we've been "improving" the Endura for 17 years, mostly based on customers' suggestions. Perhaps you need a few more "miles" on your Endura, and you might find much to appreciate.

sal
 
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