How does G10 stand up to misuse?

mwebb524 · #1

One of the things I love about my SS Delica is that the handle is a great prybar and impact tool. Yesterday, a drawer in a metal storage locker jammed, and I was able to easily pry it open with the closed Delica. When the clip on my dog's chain freezes in winter, I pound on it with the knife handle to get it moving again. Can I do these things with my Caly3 and Para? The Caly has full liners, so it should be rigid enough, but will the G10 crack? I'd prefer not to baby my pricy knives, but I don't want to break them either.

I titled this thread "misuse", but actually I think a useful handle adds value to a knife. Makes it a more well-rounded tool.

LowTEC · #2

For your application, I would say stay with SS handle. Anything other than your specialty usage, G10 is a much better handle material in every attribute

JLS · #3

It won't crack, but you'll impact a lot of divots in it and possibly chip it. It's tough stuff, but you have to remember that it's fiberglass and epoxy. The epoxy will take the beating.

It's good for tapping but not hammering.

The Deacon · #4

G-10 is pretty tough stuff but, as has been noted, it definitely won't take the level of abuse/misuse that steel will.

Blerv · #5

Lined G10 is still pretty tough. Using the handle as a "hammer" you would be impacting the steel liners and G10 simultaneously making for a pretty sturdy surface. As it would absorb less than FRN I would think it would be more effective.

You could also get a mini-pry bar from CountyComm or a custom maker like STR.

Reeper22 · #6

Blerv wrote:Lined G10 is still pretty tough. Using the handle as a "hammer" you would be impacting the steel liners and G10 simultaneously making for a pretty sturdy surface. As it would absorb less than FRN I would think it would be more effective.

You could also get a mini-pry bar from CountyComm or a custom maker like STR.

Now that you mention it, I just thought of my dream tactical SD folder: Military with g10, comp lock, full-length skeletonized steel/titanium liners.

monsterdog · #7

Blerv wrote:You could also get a mini-pry bar from CountyComm or a custom maker like STR.

+1, those things are really useful little tools.

ChrisR · #8

I find SS a bit too heavy & slippery and I prefer the light, grippy feel of G10 or other scale materials. To be honest I winced a bit when I heard of a Delica being used as a hammer and pry-bar and I'd say it's a fair thing to do if you are in a survival situation but if you can carry a separate pry-bar then it would be a much better tool

gbelleh · #9

There are many nice, small multi-tools that could perform these tasks easily, without possibly damaging a good cutting tool. I've been carrying a Leatherman Juice for a while now, and it has come in very handy on several occasions.

mwebb524 · #10

ChrisR wrote:I find SS a bit too heavy & slippery and I prefer the light, grippy feel of G10 or other scale materials. To be honest I winced a bit when I heard of a Delica being used as a hammer and pry-bar and I'd say it's a fair thing to do if you are in a survival situation but if you can carry a separate pry-bar then it would be a much better tool

To be fair, I'm not prying or hammering with the blade. That would make me wince too. However, I do like to minimize the number of things in my pockets, which is why I prefer tools that can fill multiple roles rather than one tool for each possible job I might encounter. I own several Leathermen

, including a Juice and Skeletool, but find them generally more bulky and less ergonomic than my Spydercos. I guess my ultimate "pocket tool" to supplement my knife would look kind of like a Gerber Artifact without the hobby blade and with a serviceable flat head screwdriver.

Thanks for the comments on the strength of G10. Some things are better not to find out the hard way. :D

yuldeli · #11

You might also want to take a look at the soon to be released Leatherman Squirt PS4 for some of the "abusive" type tasks. Pliers, screwdriver (for prying) and scissors at under 2 oz.

npueppke · #12

Depends on what you're hammering. If you're hammering flat things no problem, but if it's 'sharp' I would bet that you would gouge the G10. I tried to use it as a bottle opener once and got some nice gouges in the scale.

Cave Dave · #13

mwebb524 wrote:... I guess my ultimate "pocket tool" to supplement my knife would look kind of like a Gerber Artifact without the hobby blade and with a serviceable flat head screwdriver....

Gerber "Shard" gets rid of the blade but has a phillips.