Busch tastes on a microbrew budget??

[twinboysdad]

It's official...I just like FRN better than G10. What is wrong with me? I suppose me favoring users over safe queens and strength over steel might affect my preferences, but my favorite and most carried are FRN at this point

[Blerv]

Spyderco FRN always seems warmer to the touch, more grippy in hand, and less harsh on pockets (than coarse G10). They are also extremely affordable for lack of the machining.

If budget is not a concern there are G10/CF/Micarta handles that are just dreamy. Properly sculped, not hotspots, no sharp liners hiding to annoy you, etc. In a blind test tho anything under about $150 is going to be hard pressed to be as comfortable as Spyderco FRN.

[farnorthdan]

Funny you should mention that, lately I've been carrying one of my Delica's regularly even though I have the entire spectrum of other scale materials to choose from but there's just something good and simple about the FRN that I've been digging lately. :)

[twinboysdad]

I would add that the Japan/Spyderco G10 is my favorite which is the thinnest and least grippy. I exchanged my new Yojimbo 2 for a Native LW S110V about an hour ago. I could not leave the house with the Yo2 but I am ready to cut stuff up immediately with this N5LW

[The Deacon]

I carry my bolstered Stretch, black palm Stretch 2, cocobolo Stretch, lignum vitae Stretch, and FRN/VG-10 Stretch with about equal regularity.

As for G10, to my eye there's G10, and then there's G10. Polished, G10 looks decent. Polished and crowned, or polished with an "Anso style" texture, it exhibits an almost wood-like grain and can be quite attractive. In flat slabs, peel-ply textured, it is singularly unattractive.

[PWork]

It took me a while to warm up to Zytel/FRN many years ago but now it is my favorite synthetic handle material in a folder.

I too buy knives geared towards using.

[BTG]

In typical spydie-a-holic style I've been carrying 2 FRN, SB MB in pocket, LBHB on keys, s110v PM2 right front and CF positron right cargo...when in doubt, get them all..

[Surfingringo]

I like frn a lot and most of my favorite models are in frn. I do prefer the Japanese frn to what they are using in Golden though...its a bit less "plastic" feeling.

[Nate]

It took me a while to warm up to frn, but I'm a big fan.

I really like the variety of textures that have been offered, hence why I'm also partial to stuff like the twill cf on the Chaparral and alox SAKs.

Here's a recycled pic of some of my favorite (mostly frn) urban/office edc's:



As an aside, I neeeeeed a new ffg UKPK, but when are they going to do that sprint, or at least a run in something other than black... :confused: :)

[Jazz]

FRN is wonderful stuff, and when (not if) you drop it, it doesn't chip. I've always liked it.

[anagarika]

Seki's FRN :spyder: ... What else to say? :cool:

[Doc Dan]

I like the Japanese made FRN knives. It has a smooth texture and does not feel like cheap plastic. With the bi-directional texturing it simply will not move around in the hand, no matter how oily or slimy the hands are. I also like the way the Italian FRN scales have turned out. I have no issues with FRN at all.

[demoncase]

I've a long love affair with Spyderco FRN-

The older 'Volcano' texture FRN of the Delica 3 was the real 'epiphany' for me- that an all plastic handle could be solid and grip yet sleek.
I'm super pleased this is still the go-to choice for the Salt range of today :)

The 'scallop' pattern on the Caly models is OK, but the current Bi-directional FRN of the Delicas (etc) is proper 'hand velcro'- if you manage to have one slip out of your mitt with this grip pattern, then you must be washing your hands with a mixture of Teflon and baby-oil

There's some outliers, though- the D'alarra and Native 3 range are hand-filling and comfortable but the full 3d sculpted FRN takes up a lot of pocket real estate and makes for a sticky draw from the pocket
The Centofante 3 & 4 make FRN go upmarket with the flat sand-texture and swoopy details but lack grip in my usage.

The only thing I'd say is (of the current range) the 'waffle print' flat-style you see on the UKPK FRN, Urban and Squeaks are something of a step backwards to me- but only because the Bi-directional FRN has spoiled me rotten :D

[Evil D]

The biggest reason I prefer G10 over FRN is because I often tweak the ergos on knives, and I can bevel the corners of G10 and make it look factory. You can't really do that with FRN if you grind up into the molded pattern of the scale. Even then the texture that you sand is never the same as the texture of molded FRN.

I couldn't have made this knife a reality if it had FRN handles.

[Doc Dan]

The biggest reason I prefer G10 over FRN is because I often tweak the ergos on knives, and I can bevel the corners of G10 and make it look factory. You can't really do that with FRN if you grind up into the molded pattern of the scale. Even then the texture that you sand is never the same as the texture of molded FRN.

I couldn't have made this knife a reality if it had FRN handles.

I have not had that issue with FRN mods. I finish it with a fine diamond file and it looks like the rest of the handle. I have to mod Endura scales to better fit my hand. I like that I can do this and it look factory. Of course, I am not taking off half a handle. I am just reprofiling a bit.

[twinboysdad]

The biggest reason I prefer G10 over FRN is because I often tweak the ergos on knives, and I can bevel the corners of G10 and make it look factory. You can't really do that with FRN if you grind up into the molded pattern of the scale. Even then the texture that you sand is never the same as the texture of molded FRN.

I couldn't have made this knife a reality if it had FRN handles.

Is that an XL Manix??

[Evil D]

The biggest reason I prefer G10 over FRN is because I often tweak the ergos on knives, and I can bevel the corners of G10 and make it look factory. You can't really do that with FRN if you grind up into the molded pattern of the scale. Even then the texture that you sand is never the same as the texture of molded FRN.

I couldn't have made this knife a reality if it had FRN handles.

Is that an XL Manix??

Nope standard Manix 2 with the S110V Lightweight blade and a tweaked handle.

[Jazz]

Dave, that's a really hand friendly nice looking mod.

[tangent]

Nothing wrong with you in my book...all my favorites are FRN as well. It's a folder for crying out loud...you know, meant to do little tasks and not be too heavy and cumbersome in the process. This is why FRN excels in my opinion. And I've also noticed that I seem to prefer Japanese FRN over USA FRN...just feels more 'natural'.

[Evil D]

Dave, that's a really hand friendly nice looking mod.

Thanks man it does feel great in the hand. I don't think I'd say it feels better than a standard Manix 2, just different. The best part is there's nothing even close to being in the way of the thumb hole when closed.