Favorite Factory Scales

[normal]

1-Ti
2-g10
3-micarta
4-frn
5-cf
Those are all that I use and I don't really use cf or micarta much.

[chronovore]

Titanium is my favorite metal for scales. I don't even entertain aluminum outside of flashlights anymore. Brass and copper are too heavy and make my hands smell...

That said, I'll only carry titanium on occasion. I prefer warmer materials for regular EDC. Micarta is probably my favorite scale material. I also like wood, carbon fiber, well-done G-10, or even some good ol' FRN. (Today's carry was a Sage 5.)

[phaust]

Frn. I love the bidirection texture, but more than anything, the rounded edges can't be best. I don't have Shaman, but the G10 models I do have certainly feel blocky in comparison. I prefer models that feel like they were designed in three dimensions, not two, and Spyderco's FRN designs give that :)

[RamZar]

The nicest scales I have on stock Spydercos are in this order:

1. Stepped Titanium on Chaparral - time-consuming CNC in a very elaborate pattern (the plain non-anodized one)
2. Solid Fluted Carbon Fiber on Native5 (40th Anniversary Damascus) - very light with great texture
3. Fluted Titanium on Native5 with CNC-machined sunburst-pattern texture - beautiful and added texture

[Evil D]

I really like that micarta Shaman a whole lot. I could probably have every knife I own made in a similar way with the rounded scales and I'd never want for anything more.

If I'm stuck with flat slab scales, I like the peel ply CF. It's fancy and functional at the same time and I like how it feels. My 52100 Military is probably my favorite with this material.

I love polished micarta too, and I've started a small collection of vintage micarta pieces. I'm glad I scored a micarta Street Beat before they were all gone.

Polished G10 is a nice compromise for polished micarta.

FRN I like but really depends on the knife design. While it can be ground and reshaped, it's not as easy to do and make it look factory made like I can with G10 or CF, and I often find myself tweaking handle shapes to my liking so I'm a little more picky about handle shape design with FRN. I do like the bidirectional texture both for function and aesthetics. It reminds me of my first Spyderco.

Stainless is an odd one that on one hand I do really like for some reason but I also have little interest in owning or using unless it's something vintage or a classic model like the standard Police. I also like all of the very small knives in stainless and I would buy a full stainless SE Ladybug and a heartbeat.

[anycal]

Depends on the knife. And since factory micarta is not that common (where is that PM2!), and I don't have any wood or full Ti, it is hard to say.

But from what I have, generally I will take PP G10 or CF over FRN. That said, I wouldn't trade my micarta Shaman for any other material.

[Sharp Guy]

My all time favorite scales are the Fluted Carbon Fiber Native 5.

I completely forgot about that one. Definitely when of he best knife handles I've experienced. I have the 40th Anni Native but keep telling myself I need to pick up the satin S90V version to carry more often

[RAHComanche]

And since factory micarta is not that common (where is that PM2!),

I heard a rumor in Sept. It sounds reasonable as that when the Shamon micarta came out too I think. Sept/Oct.

[ZrowsN1s]

My all time favorite scales are the Fluted Carbon Fiber Native 5.

I completely forgot about that one. Definitely when of he best knife handles I've experienced. I have the 40th Anni Native but keep telling myself I need to pick up the satin S90V version to carry more often

There are bigger, smaller, slicier, thicker, more 'tactical' knives in the line up, but for a 'normal sized straight ahead pocket knife'.... I believe it is the nicest one that Spyderco makes. S90V the gorgeous and functional fluted CF, I think it can stand shoulder to shoulder with knives that cost twice as much. Honestly I think it's better than some knives that cost twice as much.

[Sharp Guy]

My all time favorite scales are the Fluted Carbon Fiber Native 5.

I completely forgot about that one. Definitely when of he best knife handles I've experienced. I have the 40th Anni Native but keep telling myself I need to pick up the satin S90V version to carry more often

There are bigger, smaller, slicier, thicker, more 'tactical' knives in the line up, but for a 'normal sized straight ahead pocket knife'.... I believe it is the nicest one that Spyderco makes. S90V the gorgeous and functional fluted CF, I think it can stand shoulder to shoulder with knives that cost twice as much. Honestly I think it's better than some knives that cost twice as much.

I wouldn't argue with that! I considered doing a blade swap to make my own satin/fluted CF knife but decided against breaking up the 40TH Anni knife. That one needs to stay as is. The S90V/Fluted CF knife was the original one I wanted. Then, when they decided to not make the S90Vs I found a great deal on the 40th knife. So I bought that one (absolutely no regrets) and still haven't bought the S90V one since they decided to make it afterall. One of the days I'll buy one

[Woodpuppy]

I dislike metal scales. Too cold, too slippery… I think my favorite OEM scales are a draw between the brown micarta on the Shaman xxx-wear sprints and the peel ply CF as on the 52100 sprints. I like the look of the Birdseye scales but don’t know how they feel.

[steelcity16]

1. FRN (non-zome)
2. Matte Micarta
3. Peel Ply G10

[JD Spydo]

I've had G-10 handles on most of my main EDC folders. I really like the ease of maintenance of G-10 material. The popular cleanser known as "Bar Keeper's Friend" that you can find at many retail stores I find to be an excellent cleaner for G-10.

You can literally rejuvenate G-10 by applying a product known as Ballistol. It truly works like magic on most G-10 scales.

Other handle materials I like are Titanium, Micarta and for really hard use blades I still like Spyderco's stainless handles.

[ZrowsN1s]

I wouldn't argue with that! I considered doing a blade swap to make my own satin/fluted CF knife but decided against breaking up the 40TH Anni knife. That one needs to stay as is. The S90V/Fluted CF knife was the original one I wanted. Then, when they decided to not make the S90Vs I found a great deal on the 40th knife. So I bought that one (absolutely no regrets) and still haven't bought the S90V one since they decided to make it afterall. One of the days I'll buy one

Crazy that it's a regular production knife.

[kobold]

I wouldn't argue with that! I considered doing a blade swap to make my own satin/fluted CF knife but decided against breaking up the 40TH Anni knife. That one needs to stay as is. The S90V/Fluted CF knife was the original one I wanted. Then, when they decided to not make the S90Vs I found a great deal on the 40th knife. So I bought that one (absolutely no regrets) and still haven't bought the S90V one since they decided to make it afterall. One of the days I'll buy one

Crazy that it's a regular production knife.

Still, it is out of stock a lot. It is production, but it really feels like a sprint to me.

[Woodpuppy]

I wouldn't argue with that! I considered doing a blade swap to make my own satin/fluted CF knife but decided against breaking up the 40TH Anni knife. That one needs to stay as is. The S90V/Fluted CF knife was the original one I wanted. Then, when they decided to not make the S90Vs I found a great deal on the 40th knife. So I bought that one (absolutely no regrets) and still haven't bought the S90V one since they decided to make it afterall. One of the days I'll buy one

Crazy that it's a regular production knife.

Still, it is out of stock a lot. It is production, but it really feels like a sprint to me.

It’s got a sprint-ey price too ‍

[ZrowsN1s]

For what you get I think its a bargain.

[Woodpuppy]

For what you get I think its a bargain.

Perhaps, perhaps. Thinking back to price paid for my Z-Wear Shaman… it certainly looks the business.

[5-by-5]

I would love to see Fraden lock run the Native Chief in these scales and the Original hollow grind with the swedge!

[RustyIron]

Is anyone in my camp where FRN and G-10 are no longer interesting?

FRN or FRCP is the greatest thing since knives were first used to slice bread. When cast with Spyderco's bidirectional pattern, it's not only functional, but looks great.

Wood is good for the OG style, ESPECIALLY when the wood is sourced from a tree or place that is relevant to the maker or owner. Our kitchen knives and several others have wood scales that came from our yard. It makes them extra special. Off topic alert: Our pepper mill was turned from an exotic wood from our yard, and it's matching salt mill was turned from an oak tree from a prominent Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky. It's important where the wood comes from.

Is there anybody out there who dislikes titanium scales ignoring cost?

I don't own any, but titanium scales would be ok as long as they're machined with a pattern that aids in handling. The really cool thing about titanium is the ease at which it can be anodized. I think that would be the big selling point for me--something to experiment with.