FRN strength testament(s)

[James Y]

I've never felt that FRN, especially Seki's FRN, was ever lacking in strength, toughness, or reliability. I wouldn't be surprised if FRN's toughness exceeds that of G10, even though the latter seems more solid.

Jim

[bladesandbeverages]

I ordered some AWT scales for a para 3 lightweight. The D shape in the FRN for the pocket clip must not have been properly done as the male and female screws both rotated with very little torque from the torx driver. The rest of the screws came out with no issue. Long story short short is I did not want to send the knife back so decided to part ways with the factory scales and break them off. They were so tough that the screw in question bent before I could even bend/break the scales off. Luckily I had a replacement from an older P3 that resolved the issue. FRN is way more durable than some people think.

[RyanY]

FRN does not scream luxury, but it is one of the most functional handle materials in existence in my opinion.

[Bill1170]

Are the Manix equivalents made of a lesser material? I have seen a couple of YouTube videos showing how easily they crack and break.

The FRCP used on the Manix 2 LW is a little more brittle. Is it inferior in a way that matters? Probably not. Like lots of things in life I’m sure it has its pros and cons. It’s hard to beat Nylon for toughness and durability.

I don’t prefer FRCP as it just feels a little funny. But I wouldn’t not buy a knife because of it.

I also prefer the feel of FRN to FRCP. The slightly softer resin just feels good in my hand.

[sal]

FRN does not scream luxury, but it is one of the most functional handle materials in existence in my opinion.

Need to tip our hats and give thanx to Blackie Collins. It was his creation to use FRN as a handle material when working with Pete Gerber. He was quite an inspiration.

sal

[SpyderEdgeForever]

FRN does not scream luxury, but it is one of the most functional handle materials in existence in my opinion.

Need to tip our hats and give thanx to Blackie Collins. It was his creation to use FRN as a handle material when working with Pete Gerber. He was quite an inspiration.

sal

Very much so! As I have said before, you and Mr. Collins are two of my heroes. Thank you!

[Doc Dan]

He certainly made a good choice in material.

[N. Brian Huegel]

FYI, based upon my research and written up in the January 2025's Spyder byte, "In 1981, Pete Gerber of Gerber knives commissioned legendary knife designer Blackie Collins to create the LST (Light, Smooth, Tough). Based on Gerber’s best-selling Folding Sportsman I design, the LST was first produced with a linerless Micarta® handle. In 1983, it became the first conventional lock-blade folding knife to use a one-piece, injection-molded handle. Initially, the handle was molded from DuPont™ Rynite®—a PET thermoplastic polyester resin—but was later switched to Zytel® in 1985."

nb

[SpyderEdgeForever]

FYI, based upon my research and written up in the January 2025's Spyder byte, "In 1981, Pete Gerber of Gerber knives commissioned legendary knife designer Blackie Collins to create the LST (Light, Smooth, Tough). Based on Gerber’s best-selling Folding Sportsman I design, the LST was first produced with a linerless Micarta® handle. In 1983, it became the first conventional lock-blade folding knife to use a one-piece, injection-molded handle. Initially, the handle was molded from DuPont™ Rynite®—a PET thermoplastic polyester resin—but was later switched to Zytel® in 1985."

nb

Thank you for that, Brian.
Many years ago, I forget his name, there was a custom maker who said he used Rynite in his knife handles. This was before G10 was popular and at the time I was amazed because the only non natural materials like wood and bone and minerals
( think David Yellowhorse and others) that I knew custom makers used were the cloth and paper resins like micarta and similiar stuffs.

Supposedly that maker said Zytel, like FRN which it is, requires injection molding systems that most custom makers cannot afford but Rynite can be used to make small batches or single knives. Kraton also requires injection molding but neoprene rubber does not?

[sal]

Thanx Brian,

For those of you that don't know Brian, he's my "first-to-go-to" historian of the Knife Industry. We began doing business with his father, when Brian was a boy. So he grew up in the business. he's a knife afi, a steel junky and is an expert in sharpening.

sal

[JARHEAD]

Thank you Brian and Sal for the knowledge and the privileges !

[SpyderEdgeForever]

JARHEAD thank you for your service and welcome to the forum!

[JARHEAD]

JARHEAD thank you for your service and welcome to the forum!

[wrdwrght]

I like FRN. I do prefer it linered. I especially like what Spyderco does with it.

As one example, the lightweight Lil’Temp3’s FRN pattern defies loss of the grip that SD and other important hard work absolutely require. And the fact that it’s lined makes the knife utterly stout.

[steelcity16]

The Seki FRN models are my favorite folders of all time. The FRN is amazing and I have never damaged one despite rough handling and daily carry. Its pretty much all I carry anymore.

[JARHEAD]

I really believe in the near future, we will see more “polymer” being used for our favorite models.

I’m not shy, so I’ll say it!

The PM 2 for example, or the Military 2.
It can be done and probably already has!

[derangedhermit]

I recently lost my para 3 salt (SE). I thought. I dropped it in the driveway, my wife ran it over, then she found it and put it on the counter.
There’s hardly a place that’s damaged. And it flips open fine! Pretty cool!

Pretty cool, but not that tough a test. I had a girlfriend accidentally park her car with the left front tire on my foot, sidewall against shin. Just centered it, stopped on my foot. I asked her to back up, slowly, because she had parked on my foot - and she didn't believe me until a friend standing beside me started yelling at her.

A feeling of tremendous pressure, but no damage to my foot. I was more surprised by that than by your Spyderco doing well.

[Doc Dan]

Wow! No comment about her mental agility, but you can guess what I was going to say.

I had a friend in high school who got drunk and passed out in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant back in the 70s. A car ran right over him and didn't so much a bruise him. He had tire marks across his shirt and that was it. Amazing.