Zytel/frn

I

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So for ease of reference I'm just going to refer to it as frn but many companies call it different things frn zytel grn valox but it's all basically the same thing plastic fused with fiber glass to make it more durable.

Now most people say they don't like knives with it and they think it feels cheap. Personally I would choose frn over g10 any day. Frn feels better to me it's cheaper and I found it to be very strong. A big thing for me is g10 texture tends to eat up pockets as to where I have never had frn do that.

Idk maybe I'm crazy but I choose frn over g10 any day how about you guys?
 
I like both for different applications, for example my dragonfly's I carry I want as light as possible so I prefer the FRN one-piece handle model over the G10/liners model but if weight isn't an issue I would prefer G10 however I'm glad FRN is an option.

The big difference between types of FRN is the texture/grip pattern, I actually enjoy spyderco's "bi-directional" FRN pattern and I don't mind the "grivory" on griptilians but I don't much care for smooth FRN like say on a CRKT M16.
 
Zytel is a Dupont trademark of a broad spectrum of plastics. Some are fiberglass reinforced, some use Kevlar, some are unreinforced. Some are nylon, some are polyamide. There are various formulas for different applications, which have varying stiffness, strength, impact resistance, wear resistance, melting temperatures, and other properties. However, when used for knife handles, you can assume it's a FRN.

I don't mind FRN or other high-strength plastics in a knife as long as the price point is in line.
 
Planterz said:
Zytel is a Dupont trademark of a broad spectrum of plastics. Some are fiberglass reinforced, some use Kevlar, some are unreinforced. Some are nylon, some are polyamide. There are various formulas for different applications, which have varying stiffness, strength, impact resistance, wear resistance, melting temperatures, and other properties. However, when used for knife handles, you can assume it's a FRN.

I don't mind FRN or other high-strength plastics in a knife as long as the price point is in line.
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Most expensive frn knife that I've seen that I think is worth the money is like the stretch endura and cold steel spartan. Not there there aren't others I'm sure that's just what I know of.
 
I like FRN and Zytel with nice, deep checkering because it's cheap and good enough. G10 has always seemed most valuable when wet, but has more variation and can wear to the point of not being especially grippy during normal circumstances. Both very strong and tough.

Don't really care for wood or animal parts being part of tools in modern society.
 
I like g10, zytel, valox, and delrin just fine. About the only handle materials I don't like is stag and shell (abalone, pearl, etc.)
 
Valox is not fiberglass reinforced. I find it to be weaker than zytel, FRN, etc. That said, Valox works well enough on my Buck 444 and 309.
 
It doesn't break unless you do somthing stupid with it , people who say frn is too weak for them are fooling them selves thinking they need somthing stronger for opening boxes cause that's what 99 percent of the people use knives for
 
Spudly94 said:
It doesn't break unless you do somthing stupid with it , people who say frn is too weak for them are fooling them selves thinking they need somthing stronger for opening boxes cause that's what 99 percent of the people use knives for
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Me and my frn knives wage long and hard wars against the box empire witch is now backed by the socialist envelope and bubble wrap republic. No soldiers have been lost on my end so far.
 
Whatever they call it, it's great stuff, a perfect application for knife handles. Light, tough, chemical-resistant, cost-effective, self-lubricating, what's more to ask? Wood/stag/leather is more attractive, but not as functional.
 
Zytel/frn is absolutely fine.
Though, it is not my preference.
I like Carbon Fiber, Micarta, TeroTuff and Damagrip, to name a few.
CF is ultra light, strong, beautiful and a pleasure to touch.
Micarta, TeroTuff and Damagrip all have more of a cloth like feel to them.
Very comfy and grippy.
G10 has a vast array of colors and patterns that are visually appealing (Blue twill is my favorite).
 
I've never cared much for it in the past, but my views are changing. Having no liners really cuts down on the weight.

I got a Fallkniven TK4 not long ago, and the thing is amazing at only 1.8oz. The other versions of this knife(TK3) weighs twice as much, so I much prefer Zytel on this knife.

The only other I have is a Spyderco Endura I got back in the early 90's. The blade is all scratched up, but the scales still look as new. Tough stuff for sure, and makes for a very light knife.
 
I think it has it's place, in low price knives or where weight is a huge concern. However, I can't agree with knives costing ~ $100 with zytel/frn handles. Especially when their G10 counterparts are priced only slightly higher. Knives like the Grip, Delica, Native etc. I was in Bass Pro the other day and they were charging $100 for a Delica 4 and $120 for a Native, I almost fell over laughing. Cheaper online I'm sure but still crazy, same is true when I see Grip's priced around $100 all over locally. I also end up using knives with wet hands a lot and G10 does a way better job of staying grippy when wet than any of the Zytel/FRN handle knives I've used.
 
I am a big FRN fan and never understood some peoples dislike for it. Has always been a very durable handle material for me. My second favorite handle material is micarta and I also like G10, but have had knives in varying qualities of G10.....some are grippy and some just blow.
 
ToddM said:
I think it has it's place, in low price knives or where weight is a huge concern. However, I can't agree with knives costing ~ $100 with zytel/frn handles. Especially when their G10 counterparts are priced only slightly higher. Knives like the Grip, Delica, Native etc. I was in Bass Pro the other day and they were charging $100 for a Delica 4 and $120 for a Native, I almost fell over laughing. Cheaper online I'm sure but still crazy, same is true when I see Grip's priced around $100 all over locally. I also end up using knives with wet hands a lot and G10 does a way better job of staying grippy when wet than any of the Zytel/FRN handle knives I've used.
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Delica and endura online are 60$.
 
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