Help convince me that FRN handles are better than they look..

[MichaelScott]

I don’t see why anyone would bother. If you don’t “like” FRN (or plastic guns) then don’t buy them. Or, buy one and make up your own mind.

[Bloke]

I s'pose we're all different with our own idiosyncrasies. I agree FRN scales aren't a thing of beauty but they are extremely practical and user friendly on an inexpensive EDC knife. On certain knives like the Salt Series, I couldn't think of a more practical scale material.

All said, I won't buy a knife offered with FRN scales like the new budget "lightweights" when the same was offered with G10 scales to save a few dollars or a few tenths of an ounce in weight.

[ladybug93]

i felt similarly before buying the manix 2 lw. once it was in my hand, i didn’t care how it looked or what color it was. it’s the best folding knife made by anyone ever. just try it out. it’s amazing how sturdy and light they are. you won’t stop liking other materials, but frn/frcp won’t be a problem anymore.

[vivi]

FRN is awesome, ya'll are crazy.

1. Extremely light.

2. Extremely grippy.

3. The corners are contoured more than g10, ss and cf models

4. SALTS!

5. Not unusual to drop it and be unable to find any damage.

6. Rust proof

7. One piece handles without the $500+ price tag of knives like the Nirvana

8. Any damage you do get can be smooth out with a lighter

9. Modding the handle shape for different ergonomics is as simple as spending $1 on a sheet of sandpaper.


FRN is THE material if you care about performance above all else in my opinion. It's one of the reasons my Pacific Salt is in my pocket right now! Get over the looks, the perormance is unparalleled.

[araneae]

I'd wager that far more Spydercos are in circulation wearing FRN pants than any other handle material; probably more than all other materials combined. Can that many people be wrong? What's to convince?

FRN is the stuff, give it a shot.

[spyderg]

I really don’t like black frn handles. However, any of the ones other than black, look much nicer and to my hand, feel different. Less plasticy look and feel. I really like the blue on my superblue Stretch. And while I’m not much a fan of the look of the zome scales, they feel nice. Frn Is plenty strong enough in my experience with Delica and stretch.

[zhyla]

Also FRN is good enough for Glocks, right?

I hate Glocks. Give me a 1911 any day. When people start making knives from FRN because they want them to be like Glocks, the world has gone wrong in a big way.

You don’t have to like Glocks to understand they are a testament to how durable FRN is.

[Doc Dan]

Frn...stronger per weight than many other materials and much lighter than G10, which is heavy. It is easily moulded into desired shapes. It feels warmer in the hand in some formulations. It can be had in clear, translucent, or solid colors. It might even be possible to color it like wood. It is cheaper for than other good materials as well. It stands up to salt, solvents, and probably outer space.

[loamy47]

If you want to be sold on FRN, buy a Chap LW, or one of the LW maxamet knives (Native or Manix 2).

The Manix 2 LW was the one that really sold me on those "cheap plastic" handles. I was honestly very surprised at how much I liked it. At this point, I prefer them to stock G-10. There are some aftermarket G-10 scales I live even more, but I like the stock FRN and FRCP better than the stock G-10.

+1 to this. They might not look as sharp as G10 or carbon fiber, but they're light, tough as nails, and there's nothing better when your hands are wet, cold, dirty, or in gloves. Plus, they're so much easier to keep clean.

[DSH007]

I just can;t get past the "cheap plastic" impression of the FRN handles. Now I know that's probably just a poor perception on my part, but I juts can't get over it, and that really limits my Spyderco collection... I'm assuming the quality is great, as it's made by Spyderco..
Looking in the collection shows handles/scales of: Bone, Stag, Titanium, Stainless, Mother of Pearl, Aluminum, G-10, Polished G10...
Should I just bite the bullet and get an FRN model? Is it as sturdy even without liners?
Help?

Short answer, yes.

Stock photos online do FRN scales no justice at all. When you handle them person and see how intricate and functional the bi-directional texturing is, and how sturdy they actually are, you realize that they are anything but "cheap plastic." As others have said, your personal preferences are subjective, but I'd give FRN a chance. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Bdubs808]

I have lots of confidence in FRN Spydies; I leave a Dragonfly and an Endura at my parents house on the Big Island (HI). Volcano Town is roughly 20 minutes drive on the highway to Kilauea crater. The forest the house resides in experiences 100% humidity daily, and sometimes volcanic fog (vog). I know that when I go there for a visit the FRN handles will be unaffected by the weather. (I'll have to take a look at the VG10 blades on my next visit though, the knives have been there for 2 years now and must have some rust).

[cycleguy]

Flasharry,

They are! You need to take your eyes out of the process and you will almost always make a better decision; finding what functions, what performs, and what has the best ergos are just some of things you will discover and subsequently live with daily. Afterwards, you can let your eyes back into the process ... its usually not your favorite looker but if it is you pretty much found your perfect knife.

CG

[Bill1170]

“Design is how it works, not just how it looks.” This may not be an exact quote, but is the essence of a statement made by Steve Jobs at Apple. It applies very much to FRN Spydies... and Glock pistols, too.

[James Y]

I just can;t get past the "cheap plastic" impression of the FRN handles. Now I know that's probably just a poor perception on my part, but I juts can't get over it, and that really limits my Spyderco collection... I'm assuming the quality is great, as it's made by Spyderco..
Looking in the collection shows handles/scales of: Bone, Stag, Titanium, Stainless, Mother of Pearl, Aluminum, G-10, Polished G10...
Should I just bite the bullet and get an FRN model? Is it as sturdy even without liners?
Help?

The FRN material is extremely sturdy stuff. Will a linerless FRN model feel as 'solid' as, say, a linered G10 or aluminum-handled model? Probably not. But it's tougher than it might seem. Certainly tougher and more durable than bone, stag, mother of pearl, wood, and is at least as tough if not tougher than G10. I've hard some people say they've had G10 chip. I've never experienced that, but I've also never heard of that ever happening to FRN. The problem ith FRN is the look and the perception of it as 'cheap plastic'. It's not going to shatter if you drop it from height. The worst I've ever gotten is some scuffing and slight dents.

But if you don't like FRN or the idea of it, why would you need convincing? We all like what we like, and vice versa. Nobody 'has to' own every knife if they have personal doubts about them.

Jim

[bearfacedkiller]

We had a forum member drop his Native 275 feet onto gravel and he barely had a mark on it. His name was 3rdgenrigger and he put up towers for a living. Haven’t heard from him in a while, hope he is doing well.

Anyway, sounds durable to me and I doubt G10 would have taken it as well.

[knivesandbooks]

I've no problem with frn, but they're not collection pieces for me (besides my modest Delica collection). They're not pretty and don't give me a lot of joy to behold them. The ones I have a beaters, and they're great beaters. In my satchel that I take with me everywhere, I keep my SE Pacific Salt in the front pocket and my s90v Native 5 lw in a zippered pouch with my Surge inside the main compartment. My SE Delica wharncliffe is my go to beater around the apartment. They make great work knives. But, I personally wouldn't build a collection around them.

As far as the gun thing, I'll take a CZ 75 or Beretta M9 over a Glock any day of the week.

[ZMW]

FRN is great stuff, especially the Japan products. Cost effective and great users. Do not hesitate to grab one, and use it. Keep your Carbon Fiber for nicer uses then yard work with a Pac Salt.

[flasharry]

yeah.. thanks all.. Time to buy and try.. Dragonfly, perhaps? or?? I do prefer smaller knives for EDC

[justjohn]

Flasharry, the FRN scales are really...really...really better than they look. HONEST! I hope this helps you. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist doing this.) :D

[Wartstein]

yeah.. thanks all.. Time to buy and try.. Dragonfly, perhaps? or?? I do prefer smaller knives for EDC

Don't want to get annoying, cause it's not exactly the first time I strongly suggest: Smaller EDC? FRN? Go Chaparral lightweight. Closed not much longer than a DFly, but way more actual edge. And CTS HXP steel plus Spydercos maybe best backlock is a great deal for the money you pay.