Zytel vs carbon fiber?

C

cardimon

Joined
Sep 20, 2000
Messages
1,539
I'm pleading ignorance here. Give me a hand, guys.

What's the difference between a Zytel handle and a carbon-fiber (CF) handle? And why would someone be more willing to have a Zytel Dragonfly confiscated than a CF Dragonfly?

I'm a complete Spyderco newbie. I don't even own one yet, but I have asked (begged) my wife to get me one for my birthday.

Craig
 
Zytel looks and feels like plastic. In fact i think it basically is plastic. However, it is often reiforced with carbon or glass fibre to make it stronger. If you try to reshape a Zytel handle you will notice this as it has a sort of "fibery" interior.
It is a cheap material to make.
On the opposite, carbon fibre is like a carpet of carbon fibre that can be shaped into whatever you desire (well, almost). It is then coated / soaked with clear (or in some cases colored like the Klotzlis...) epoxy. A lot more expensive. Stronger.
But better...? Zytel is more bang for your buck. CF is more classy.
 
cardimon, what I think the intention was, is zytel is less expensive. Carbom fibre, costing more, would hurt ones feelings/wallet more if it were confiscated. Welcome to the world of Spyderco. Might I suggest the Native......

Paul
 
I second Paul Work's choice, as he well knows
wink.gif
.

I'm getting a CF Dragonfly soon (it's on the mail!). I already own a FRN Dragonfly (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon, which most people call Zytel even if i'm not sure it necessarily is this material). It's a lot cheaper, and the handle might not be the prettiest, but it does it's job very competently. Spyderco provides for a non-slippery surface on the FRN handle by carving a particular texture, which provides a "grippy" function.

CF handles are tough, but also much more elegant. After seeing pictures of the CF Dragonfly, I'm not so convinced that you should get this if you're not merely collecting. I don't really need one, but I WANT one
wink.gif
. In fact, judging from pictures, the CF Dragonfly doesn't look as elegant as other CF handle knives, like for example the much more expensive C22 Michael Walker with CF handle. This adds to the complication, since CF handles are done in different patterns and textures. Overall, Spyderco releases limited numbers of CF handled-knives, which are in turn always a variation of an existing model that sports a FRN or G-10 handle.

If you want a heck of a little knife, for a low price, get the FRN Dragonfly. If you are a collector and "Dragonfly-freak" like I am, get the CF version (if you can find it!).

Oh yeah, and by the way, keep in mind that the FRN Dragonfly sports an AUS8 blade, while the CF version (and also steel version for that matter) includes an ATS-55 blade (generally considered of higher quality).

Hope this helps,

-Flood
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Flood:
If you want a heck of a little knife, for a low price, get the FRN Dragonfly.

-Flood</font>
Click to expand...

I'm going to night school AND trying to save up for a 10th anniversary trip to London, so price is an issue. The Zytel Dragonfly would seem to be the answer for me. If I don't get one for my birthday, I'm gonna treat myself. Thanks for the info.

Craig

 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Paul Work:
Might I suggest the Native......

Paul </font>
Click to expand...

You may indeed suggest the Native. I've read many positive things about it. The Dragonfly, however, is more affordable for me right now.

Hmmm, has anyone ever posted a review comparing the Native to the Dragonfly?

Craig

 
Zytel is the trademark name for a type of FRN produced by Dupont. Spyderco uses the term FRN (generic term)since $ is needed to use any companies trademark names.

Actually FRN can be molded quite easily at a cost effective range for its particular models it will be used for. Carbon fiber is a material that is WEAVED and is then treated with a solution (epoxy?) and then compressed to a high yield strength. The advantages included great strength with minimal weight and an attractive pattern. I do not think it can be "molded" into any shape that easily. One of the disadvantgages (subjective) is cost and its inability to be finished with an ample texture for a serious using blade like G10 or micarta can. If it can be finished as such, I' ve never seen it from any production nor handmade blade.

L8r,
Nakano
 
CF can be bonded with/to both epoxy, polyesther, nylon or whatever you wish. Depending on the thickness of the "carpet" (or weave) it can be easily formed into almost any object. A friend of mine makes CF parts for racing motorcycles, boats etc. I have yet to try it myself but he claims it is pretty easy. Over here in Sweden CF is $40 per square meter (3'X 3'). It looks just like black glass fibre and it has a little more "stiffness" to it. You can usually buy it in boat stores.
 
Actually cardimon, the difference in price between the Native and the Dragonfly is not that great. You can find the Native from internet dealers for as low as $43, and the Dragonfly should go around $28. When you compare the two knives, they are quite different in size and quality materials.

The Native is an anomaly in the Spyderco line. It sports a premium-quality blade which usually sells in much more expensive models. I don't like to compare these two models, since they are completely different knives (Native is longer, is hollow ground, etc.) But if I had to, I would get the Native due to its many advantages. Steel is one, multiple-grip positions with finger choil is another one, and there are so many others...

Hey, FWIW, if you compare the CF Dragonfly, which goes for around $80 at least, with the $43 Native, you still get a much bigger price difference than the FRN Dragonfly and the Native!

-Flood


-Flood
 
cardimon, you really can't compare the Native and Dragonfly. The Dragonfly is my "travel companion". I carry it where blade length limits are in doubt. For a small knife, it gives you more of a big knife feel. It's hard to describe, you have to feel it for yourself. The Native is my everyday carry (one of them). Handle one and I think you will know what Flood and I are talking about.

Paul
 
Hi Nakano. The issue for Zytel wasn't $. We use Zytel on some of our models, but we use other FRNs as well in other models, Grivory, for example.

If you call something Zytel and you are not really using tht Dupont product, they can make your life uncomfortable.

If you call someting Zytel and are not using the Dupont product, you are misinforming your customer. kinda like advertising coke and delivering pepsi.

sal
 
Thank you Sal. You explained it better than I did. I recall grivory. Which model was it used for?

Nakano
 
From an engineering point of view: both CF (Carbon Fiber) and FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon) are classified under "Composite Materials". The principle of composite materials is that two different materials are combined to give a resulting material of greater strength and/or more "particular" mechanical properties in some type of mechanical loads. The main difference between CF and FRN is the fact that the fibers in FRN are very short and they are "mixed" into the base material (nylon) to enhance its strength in all directions. Carbon fiber uses long fibers arranged in a particular way in the base material (epoxy), in order to give higher tensile strength lenghwise to the fibers.
(I could tell you more about all this, but I think I am starting to blabber)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top