Sage 5 SPY27 FRN and G-10 internals identical?

[cjk]

The newest Sage 5 models in SPY27 (and REX 121) have both a "lightweight" FRN scaled model and a G-10 model.
I'm personally more interested in SPY27.
Are both the FRN model (C123CBL) and G-10 model (C123GCBL) absolutely identical other than the scales?

The original Sage 5 compression lock (C123CFCL) in carbon fiber/G-10 laminate and the original Sage 5 lightweight (C123BK) had at least a couple internal differences, one being the internal stop pin was different. The other was the pivot bushing. The internal stop pin (not the the stop pin you can see from the exterior) prevented some aftermarket scales from fitting.

I have more aftermarket scales designed for the Sage 5 lightweight than I have Sage 5 knives.
I also like the blue G-10 scales on the SPY27 G-10 model, so I'm trying to ascertain if the scales intended for the Sage 5 lightweight will fit the newest G-10 models.
The scales I have fit my Sage 5 lightweight Salt just fine which is probably the newest of the new, but I have no G-10 models.

My expectation is that the current FRN and G-10 models are identical internally. I assume it'd make them easier to manufacture. I'm hoping somebody knows 100%.

Thanks in advance!

[Manixguy@1994]

Out curiosity I checked RGT for compatibility between G10 and FRN and found the scales are acceptable for both but position of clip should be checked if older generation Sage . Clip apparently must be centered on scale . I’m not sure if this helps but best I could come with . JSumm may have some info concerning your question. MG2

[JSumm]

He is looking specifically at the new models. G10 vs the FRN in case he wants to swap out scales in the future. Only way to trully confirm is for someone who has both to take them each apart.

@cjk I bet you will be ok. Just an assumption, but I would imagine Spyderco took all the CQI and implemented in the new versions. The way they make the scales on the Sage 5, they can easily switch scale materials at the factory like in these examples with the FRN and G10.

[cjk]

He is looking specifically at the new models. G10 vs the FRN in case he wants to swap out scales in the future. Only way to trully confirm is for someone who has both to take them each apart.

@cjk I bet you will be ok. Just an assumption, but I would imagine Spyderco took all the CQI and implemented in the new versions. The way they make the scales on the Sage 5, they can easily switch scale materials at the factory like in these examples with the FRN and G10.

Thanks Jeff, I think that too. I was just trying to be super sure.

[ratthew]

Out curiosity I checked RGT for compatibility between G10 and FRN and found the scales are acceptable for both but position of clip should be checked if older generation Sage . Clip apparently must be centered on scale . I’m not sure if this helps but best I could come with . JSumm may have some info concerning your question. MG2

I did the same with AWT scales, but their page for their Sage 5 LW scales states that they only fit the lightweight models and not the G10. I don't own either model so I can't comment for sure, but this makes it sound to me like there may be some minor differences between the two?

[Burton Knut]

How important is the internal stop pin?? I just swapped a MC LW into some Micarta and had to leave the stop pin out. The knife still seems to function properly. I’m sure I could find a dremel tip of the right size and make a little recess for it if I need to.
You can see the pin sitting on the right in my pic.

ETA: I also used the MC blade with the s/s internals from the BHQ coated M4 and put the coated internals with the coated blade (which really satisfies my inner freak.)

[JMM]

How important is the internal stop pin?? I just swapped a MC LW into some Micarta and had to leave the stop pin out. The knife still seems to function properly. I’m sure I could find a dremel tip of the right size and make a little recess for it if I need to.
You can see the pin sitting on the right in my pic.

ETA: I also used the MC blade with the s/s internals from the BHQ coated M4 and put the coated internals with the coated blade (which really satisfies my inner freak.)

I did the same thing because I wanted a complete 'blackout' Sage . . .



. . . I'm super happy with the way it turned out.