Poll: Smooth G10 vs Peel Ply G10?

[steelcity16]

After seeing yet another Cruwear exclusive (Manix) dressed in smooth G10, I am left wondering if anyone actually prefers this to Peel Ply G10? The sales for the smooth G10 Cruwear Para 3 and PM2 where pretty slow considering the popularity of Cruwear, and I am assuming that the smooth scales and boring old black scale color were the reasons. I would think a peel ply G10 Cruwear Manix, PM2, or Para 3 in a non-black color would be an instant sell out. Guessing this Manix will be around for awhile.

Anyways, what are your thoughts on smooth G10 vs Peel Ply G10?

I love the peel ply G10 and flat out refuse to buy smooth G10.

[SG89]

I love peel ply g10 and even better peel ply carbon fiber

[curlyhairedboy]

I like the grippy nature of the G10 on the PM2, but also the smooth G10 on the Shaman.

I reckon the grippy stuff is more suited to knife handles that are less well-mated to the hand as the Shaman is, though. Smooth materials don't affect how well I can hold on to it.

[bearfacedkiller]

I cannot see needing texture on a Manix. The ergos are so secure that you would have to cover your hands in grease to even think about it slipping out of your hand.

Personally, I feel that a knife that needs texturing is lacking in ergonomics. The knife world is filled with titanium framelocks that are smooth and I haven't heard of anybody having any issues. Plus, when using a knife for a long time texture leads to hot spots. You are less apt to get a blister from a smooth scale. Sometimes Spyderco's bidirectional texturing on their frn tears my hand up.

The only thing I really see peel ply texture doing is increasing the hold that a pocket clip has on a pocket and for that reason I do appreciate it.

This is just one man's opinion though.

[JonLeBlanc]

Gimme deh grippy :)

[Evil D]

Prefer peel ply unless we're talking about polished/rounded/contoured.

[wrdwrght]

Peel-ply for me, but if a steel I want comes only with smooth G10, I’ll consider it.

[ZrowsN1s]

Depends on the knife. Love the smooth on the Shaman. Also like the smooth marbled carbonfiber on the 4v manix.

[Mako109]

I like it smooove.

Much prefer CF but smooove G10 isn't a deal breaker.

Peel-Ply G10 isn't a deal breaker either because I know I can make it smooove.

[Sumdumguy]

My list goes like this:

-Grooved(Caribbean)
-Titanium
-Smooth Micarta/G10
-Peel Ply
-Solid CF

None are a deal breaker, unless stupidly abrasive. Spyderco has never given me any issues in the handle department, always perfect.

[MMGRenovations]

I much prefer smooth handles to peel ply. I find that the handle shape of the knife is more important. I use my knife a lot. I would say I pull it out about 10 times a day sometimes more depending on the job I’m doing. That puts a lot of wear on my pockets.

[vivi]

I prefer peel ply, but smooth g10 / micarta works alright for certain models like the Swick, Street Beat, etc.

[TomAiello]

I like them both, but on different types of knives.

I like smooth on the smaller "gents" type knives. I prefer peel on bigger, more "outdoors" knives.

[Doc Dan]

Dress up = smooth

Hard user = texture

[Tucson Tom]

I am one of those who prefer Peel Ply but have no beef with smooth. When I first got the Cruwear PM2 with smooth G10 I was rankled. I bristled. I complained (to myself). Then I grew to like it. I reflected that most knives I had in my youth (back shortly after the end of the Civil War) had smooth handles. And I noticed that the PM2 wasn't flying out of my hand like a wet fish. In fact it did and does just fine. A knife I am glad to own and will treasure and keep.

[JD Spydo]

I love peel ply g10 and even better peel ply carbon fiber

I'll second that and those are my sentiments exactly. But overall I just love G-10 handles of just about any variant. And I do agree with Spydergirl about the Peel-Ply CF handles as well. But for some reason I still tend to gravitate toward G-10 overall for hard use, EDC handles.

I would like to see Spyderco take a lesson from one of my other favorite knife companies>> I'm speaking of Klotzli of Switzerland. They do more with Carbon Fiber handles than anyone else I know of>> and they are so a artistic with CF too. I kind of wish that they would do more colors and designs with G-10 as well.

[knivesandbooks]

If I could have things my way, every knife would have nice contouring and smooth surfaces. Except bone, I like jigged bone.

[The Deacon]

For me, it depends. I can live with peel-ply G10 on a knife that's just going to be part of my collection, but on one I intend to carry it's pretty much of a deal breaker unless the scales can be easily removed and smoothed. If the only two choices are smooth and peel-ply, I'll take smooth but there are options Spyderco has yet to explore. CNC machining can easily produce textures that offer equal or better grip than peel-ply while being exponentially more eye appealing. Just look at some of the things being done with handgun grips.

[knivesandbooks]

For me, it depends. I can live with peel-ply G10 on a knife that's just going to be part of my collection, but on one I intend to carry it's pretty much of a deal breaker unless the scales can be easily removed and smoothed. If the only two choices are smooth and peel-ply, I'll take smooth but there are options Spyderco has yet to explore. CNC machining can easily produce textures that offer equal or better grip than peel-ply while being exponentially more eye appealing. Just look at some of the things being done with handgun grips.

This is very true and I've both titanium and g10 knives with very nice machining. It would be neat if Spyderco teamed up with Hogue for some g10 handles. Probably impossible since Hogue also makes knives.

Another point is micarta. It is kinda tacky without any texturing, especially that matte micarta that Lt Wright uses. I've never worried about grip on those knives even when my hands get sweaty and the handle is shaped like a stick.

[SteveMidwest]

I voted for >
"I prefer Peel Ply G10, but smooth G10 isn't a deal breaker."
Which at the moment, has 30 of 58 votes. So for the time being. That's a majority choice.

First off. I like variety. Having a few smooth ones, is nice.
If the question had been asked differently. Like "If you could have only one knife. Would it have Peel Ply G10, or smooth G10?"
I'd have to pick the Peel Ply. It really is fantastic, for me.

The Spyderco C101CFPE2 Manix 2 CPM 154/CPM S90V comes to mind right away, as an example.