What Type of Scales Do You Prefer Poll

[kobold]

Right, agreed on both accounts.

[TimButterfield]

I had to vote other because preference depends on usage. If I'm around water, a Salt with FRN is a definite preference. It is similar if I need LW during some sporty activity. For more casual usage, I would swap between G10, Micarta, or Carbon Fiber depending on which knife I felt like carrying at that time (I don't own every combination). For dressier carry, it would likely be micarta, carbon fiber, possibly wood, or some inlay.

[Actinolite]

So many materials, so little time.

My favorite for pocket knives is generally micarta for feel with G10 a close second.
G10 is more practical if the object I'm cutting is wet, oily, or slimy.
To be fair, FRN or FRCP are even more suitable for wet/slippery jobs, and they are durable, low maintenance, and work great. A few of my favorite knives have FRN (Native 5, LeafJumper, Temperance 2), but it still feels like cheap plastic.
I have two knives with carbon fiber, one is excellent (the other scale choice was titanium--I made the right choice), the other is so-so. The feel is fine, but the price is usually too high. (Native 5 S90V, I'm looking at you).
I have two metal handled knives, one made of titanium, the other magnesium. They're fine with gloves, but I don't like metal in wet conditions, and I hate the feel of metal in the cold.
For looks, my favorite remains wood, and I have a couple wood-handled knives that see significant use. The most beautiful knife I own (my opinion only) is a Joker Ember with curly birch scales.

I have yet to see ultem scales that I liked at all.

[silver & black]

So many materials, so little time.

My favorite for pocket knives is generally micarta for feel with G10 a close second.
G10 is more practical if the object I'm cutting is wet, oily, or slimy.
To be fair, FRN or FRCP are even more suitable for wet/slippery jobs, and they are durable, low maintenance, and work great. A few of my favorite knives have FRN (Native 5, LeafJumper, Temperance 2), but it still feels like cheap plastic.
I have two knives with carbon fiber, one is excellent (the other scale choice was titanium--I made the right choice), the other is so-so. The feel is fine, but the price is usually too high. (Native 5 S90V, I'm looking at you).
I have two metal handled knives, one made of titanium, the other magnesium. They're fine with gloves, but I don't like metal in wet conditions, and I hate the feel of metal in the cold.
For looks, my favorite remains wood, and I have a couple wood-handled knives that see significant use. The most beautiful knife I own (my opinion only) is a Joker Ember with curly birch scales.

I have yet to see ultem scales that I liked at all.

Wood....... near and dear to my heart.

[JARHEAD]

I would submit textured as my overall pick.

[BeggarSo]

FRN for me, but it has to be unlined and from Japan.

May I ask, what's better about japanese frn?

Geez everybody knows that answer... Because... Made In Japan...

[Wowbagger]

I would submit textured as my overall pick.

There you go !
I keep looking at micarta thinking ; Oh Cool just like my old gummy green canvas camping tarp when I was a kid .
Then I pick up a micarta knife (canvas or burlap , you name it ) and go : Oh , that's it huh ? Oh well , fooled again .

[Actinolite]

I’ve said I thought FRN generally feels like cheap plastic. Others have said Japanese FRN is the best. Mostly I agree the Japanese FRN is excellent, as my Dragonfly and LeafJumper are solid and wonderful. But I’m not impressed with the handle of my Salt 2. It works fine, but it feels cheap.

Another exception? My Native 5 Lightweights. The FRN is solid and both feel very good in hand.

[kobold]

Yes, the FRN N5 is not just solid, but looks good too. I don't feel like i should get AWT for these, they are good to go:

[M_J87]

Update: I missed out on the Endela K390. I don't want to wait for it to be restocked. I found an Endura 4 in K390 at Cutlery Shoppe with FRN scales. I'll carry it, use it and get a feel for the FRN. I hope I like this stuff..... there are a lot of Spydercos I would want if I liked it.

Let us know what you think!

[silver & black]

Update: I missed out on the Endela K390. I don't want to wait for it to be restocked. I found an Endura 4 in K390 at Cutlery Shoppe with FRN scales. I'll carry it, use it and get a feel for the FRN. I hope I like this stuff..... there are a lot of Spydercos I would want if I liked it.

Let us know what you think!

I will.... as soon as I get the knife.

[silver & black]

While we're discussing scale materials, can someone tell me why the Manix 2 LW has FRCP and all the other LW's have FRN? Even from what I can discern from pics, the FRN seems "better" than FRCP.

[silver & black]

Okay.... I got my Endura today. First impression; I think I really like this FRN. It is not what I imagined it to be. It's nothing like the FRCP, imo. It feels more solid/stable/comfortable. To my surprise, it doesn't feel cheap. I will carry it the rest of the week and see how I get on with it.

I'm not very familiar with back locks. It's proving to be a difficult task to push the bar down with my thumb. Are they all this stiff and hard to push down? My thumb is already sore...lol. So far, this is my only complaint. I love the size and ergos on this kinfe. Looking forward to using it.

[Naperville]

Okay.... I got my Endura today. First impression; I think I really like this FRN. It is not what I imagined it to be. It's nothing like the FRCP, imo. It feels more solid/stable/comfortable. To my surprise, it doesn't feel cheap. I will carry it the rest of the week and see how I get on with it.

I'm not very familiar with back locks. It's proving to be a difficult task to push the bar down with my thumb. Are they all this stiff and hard to push down? My thumb is already sore...lol. So far, this is my only complaint. I love the size and ergos on this kinfe. Looking forward to using it.

I hope that you like it!

If I had been dialed into this thread, I would have recommended a Spyderco Native Chief in S110V or Magnacut PE or SE. I luv mine! I must have 5 or 6, FRN, Native Chiefs, 3 of them in my 2026 4Runner suv alone. The FRN, Native Chiefs are the only folders in my car and they will not rust on me. They are a steal. It's like a cheat code for a great knife. They compete with $600+ Hinderers for pocket time.

[Synov]

I like Fat Carbon CF. It feels soft and grippy to the touch but it's strong.

[silver & black]

Okay.... I got my Endura today. First impression; I think I really like this FRN. It is not what I imagined it to be. It's nothing like the FRCP, imo. It feels more solid/stable/comfortable. To my surprise, it doesn't feel cheap. I will carry it the rest of the week and see how I get on with it.

I'm not very familiar with back locks. It's proving to be a difficult task to push the bar down with my thumb. Are they all this stiff and hard to push down? My thumb is already sore...lol. So far, this is my only complaint. I love the size and ergos on this kinfe. Looking forward to using it.

I hope that you like it!

If I had been dialed into this thread, I would have recommended a Spyderco Native Chief in S110V or Magnacut PE or SE. I luv mine! I must have 5 or 6, FRN, Native Chiefs, 3 of them in my 2026 4Runner suv alone. The FRN, Native Chiefs are the only folders in my car and they will not rust on me. They are a steal. It's like a cheat code for a great knife. They compete with $600+ Hinderers for pocket time.

I have slept on all FRN knives because of my own foregone (wrong) conclusions. I will NEVER purchase another FRCP knife. FRN is way above FRCP in feel and quality, IMO. The Native Chief is a knife on my radar. It is a total bad *** looking kife...lol. All scale material (except FRCP) will be considered for now on.

[Naperville]

Okay.... I got my Endura today. First impression; I think I really like this FRN. It is not what I imagined it to be. It's nothing like the FRCP, imo. It feels more solid/stable/comfortable. To my surprise, it doesn't feel cheap. I will carry it the rest of the week and see how I get on with it.

I'm not very familiar with back locks. It's proving to be a difficult task to push the bar down with my thumb. Are they all this stiff and hard to push down? My thumb is already sore...lol. So far, this is my only complaint. I love the size and ergos on this kinfe. Looking forward to using it.

I hope that you like it!

If I had been dialed into this thread, I would have recommended a Spyderco Native Chief in S110V or Magnacut PE or SE. I luv mine! I must have 5 or 6, FRN, Native Chiefs, 3 of them in my 2026 4Runner suv alone. The FRN, Native Chiefs are the only folders in my car and they will not rust on me. They are a steal. It's like a cheat code for a great knife. They compete with $600+ Hinderers for pocket time.

I have slept on all FRN knives because of my own foregone (wrong) conclusions. I will NEVER purchase another FRCP knife. FRN is way above FRCP in feel and quality, IMO. The Native Chief is a knife on my radar. It is a total bad *** looking kife...lol. All scale material (except FRCP) will be considered for now on.

Glad that you like it!!!! FRN is very stiff, has good color, and is sticky in your hand without being abrasive. I have not noticed any wear on my jeans either, but I don't always carry it in my jeans after using it. I may put it in my coat pocket or pants pocket.

I really like the Native Chief. I lost count on how many I had. It's over a dozen. I should have done an inventory when I boxed everything up for the move. I would have purchased more 15V Native Chiefs but they sold out. I think that I have 2.

I moved on the 15th of January. Moved in on the 19th. Stayed in the hotel until the 19th. I think I've officially unpacked 10 out of 50 boxes 30 days later, hahahaha!



All of my knives, sharpeners, books and clothes are in the boxes. I eat out every day, but that has to stop. I put back on 15lbs!

[Actinolite]

Yes, the FRN N5 is not just solid, but looks good too. I don't feel like i should get AWT for these, they are good to go:

I generally agree. I have two N5 FRN, one is SPY27, with the great cobalt color, the other is 15V, and I wouldn't change the brown for anything. But I thinking of adding a Salt version with LC200N, SE. But honestly, I hate the bright green. I'll be tempted to change scales on that one. We shall see...

[M_J87]

Okay.... I got my Endura today. First impression; I think I really like this FRN. It is not what I imagined it to be. It's nothing like the FRCP, imo. It feels more solid/stable/comfortable. To my surprise, it doesn't feel cheap. I will carry it the rest of the week and see how I get on with it.

I'm not very familiar with back locks. It's proving to be a difficult task to push the bar down with my thumb. Are they all this stiff and hard to push down? My thumb is already sore...lol. So far, this is my only complaint. I love the size and ergos on this kinfe. Looking forward to using it.

Good to hear! The Seki models are bulletproof. I don't currently have any trouble with the lockbar being stiff and I don't recall having an issue when I first started carrying them either. Something I do pretty routinely with a new knife is disassemble to get any excess loctite off the lock mechanism, pivot, etc so that would be my first point of advice if you find anything "off". I can't imagine there's much variation from spring to spring so it might be something you just have to get used to/break in.

If you disassemble, I HIGHLY recommend reassembling the two sides of the scales first, putting the spring and lockbar in, then the blade. I had a lot of trouble reassembling a Delica scale-blade-scale style because there's a plastic post that's hard to line up under spring tension. I'd do it like this:

[Mad Mac]

I just ordered a Spyderco knife with FRCP scales
to add to my collection of types of Spyderco scales.