So whats REALLY wrong with FRN?
- AllenETreat
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So whats REALLY wrong with FRN?
To : ALL -
I've noticed alot of "cons" against FRN
being "cheap" & "not durable". I
remember when it was first made by the
Israelis as "Zytel"; I seen so-called
"glass daggers" made of zytel hammered
into 1/2" of plywood. It's lightweight,
VERY "moldable" & inexpensive to produce
and IMO is befitting of a good Spydie
design. So "flame away" & give punditry
'til the cows come home! No likee FRN?
TOO BAD. It's here to stay!
-AET
I've noticed alot of "cons" against FRN
being "cheap" & "not durable". I
remember when it was first made by the
Israelis as "Zytel"; I seen so-called
"glass daggers" made of zytel hammered
into 1/2" of plywood. It's lightweight,
VERY "moldable" & inexpensive to produce
and IMO is befitting of a good Spydie
design. So "flame away" & give punditry
'til the cows come home! No likee FRN?
TOO BAD. It's here to stay!
-AET
As far as I'm concerned there's nothing "wrong" with FRN, if G-10, CF, Ti, micarta, wood inlays or SS weren't available I'd go for FRN every time <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
The only real problem I have with it is that it feels too light in the hand to me, and to my mind slightly unbalances the knife. This is probably why it feels "cheep" to me, too light for it's size.
It's a very competent material, it's just in my mind the alternatives are better, in some case much better.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
The only real problem I have with it is that it feels too light in the hand to me, and to my mind slightly unbalances the knife. This is probably why it feels "cheep" to me, too light for it's size.
It's a very competent material, it's just in my mind the alternatives are better, in some case much better.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
Just to add ...
The way FRN is molded and patterned makes an enormous difference. The smooth compacted form found on the Meerkcat and Vesuvious to my mind feels far better than the FRN on the Calypso Jnr Lwt, Delica and Endura with their scaloped and volcano patterns.
It's probably no concidence that the two FRN handles I listed as liking both have SS liners or spacers.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
The way FRN is molded and patterned makes an enormous difference. The smooth compacted form found on the Meerkcat and Vesuvious to my mind feels far better than the FRN on the Calypso Jnr Lwt, Delica and Endura with their scaloped and volcano patterns.
It's probably no concidence that the two FRN handles I listed as liking both have SS liners or spacers.
Walk softly, carry a big stick.
IMO the only thing wrong with FRN is that it *looks* just like all the Chinese knives thrown in a pile on a table at the gun shows @ 3 for $5. Even though it isn't... that's what it reminds me of.
Although, I think the Spiderweb design on the FRN Native is clever and effective... I'd rather see that on ALL the FRN knives than that "volcano" business.
Dan
Although, I think the Spiderweb design on the FRN Native is clever and effective... I'd rather see that on ALL the FRN knives than that "volcano" business.
Dan
- 4 s ter
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Allen
Here's a link to a thread on BladeForums that I must take the blame for starting. I had heard a number of opinions but hadn't heard Sal's, so.......
You may find it of interest.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... hlight=FRN
David
"Not all who wander are lost"
Here's a link to a thread on BladeForums that I must take the blame for starting. I had heard a number of opinions but hadn't heard Sal's, so.......
You may find it of interest.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showt ... hlight=FRN
David
"Not all who wander are lost"
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- Location: Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Samo and others commenting along the same lines sum it up pretty well.
FRN is an excellent material, cheaper as micarta, CF and G-10 which materials were initially designed for totally other uses as knife handles! Micarta was designed ages ago as an isolator material in the electrical industry. Carbon Fibre is a high tech woven material of glas fibers. G-10 is about the same but not woven into matts, it is pressed and satturated like plywood or MDF. Much more expencive materials! If your bread & butter knives are Delica's and Endura's you will want a material that is cheap and easy tp produce. Don't mistake FRN to cheap plastics! Just MHO.
Clipits work!
FRN is an excellent material, cheaper as micarta, CF and G-10 which materials were initially designed for totally other uses as knife handles! Micarta was designed ages ago as an isolator material in the electrical industry. Carbon Fibre is a high tech woven material of glas fibers. G-10 is about the same but not woven into matts, it is pressed and satturated like plywood or MDF. Much more expencive materials! If your bread & butter knives are Delica's and Endura's you will want a material that is cheap and easy tp produce. Don't mistake FRN to cheap plastics! Just MHO.
Clipits work!
- dialex
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FRN is not that appealing as SS, thus it may have that cheap look. However, I am very fond of this material and as far as I'm concerned, there's NOTHING wrong with it. Anyway, fancy stuff like damasteel and mother of pearls just isn't my style. Gimme that "cheap" FRN, I'll accept it gladly <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
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Have been thinking about the FRN thing all week. It must be good since zillions of FRN knives have been sold. I am ignorant of its attributes since I don't own a knife with FRN handles. I just don't like its looks. Guess that I am too much of a traditionalist. G10 and Micarta spell quality to me although FRN may be better in some cases. Am thinking about a G10 Navigator now. If The Endura and Delica were available in G10 or Carbon Fiber I would have both.
- vampyrewolf
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FRN provides duability and light weight, as well as being nearly indestructable...
I still prefer SS or G-10 though. Thin scales, minimal extras, superior strength. Micarta is appealing, but the only time I was looking at one, it was slippery(and no easy grip like the SS 'Fly). Alum is a bit on the light side, not really offering any heft, and Ti is a bit pricy.
I prefer handles that will take punishment, and not slow down. FRN is still susceptable to temp and chemicals.
My Word, My Honour, is my Life.
I still prefer SS or G-10 though. Thin scales, minimal extras, superior strength. Micarta is appealing, but the only time I was looking at one, it was slippery(and no easy grip like the SS 'Fly). Alum is a bit on the light side, not really offering any heft, and Ti is a bit pricy.
I prefer handles that will take punishment, and not slow down. FRN is still susceptable to temp and chemicals.
My Word, My Honour, is my Life.
It's just a matter of taste.
I unfortunately don't have experience with G-10 (yet<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>) (Shame on me), but I just prefer SS because of its looks. Someone else will pick FRN, while having strength and durability in mind.
But those are BOTH SPYDIES!
Shiden-Kaj
"Fear causes hesitation, hesitation causes your worst fears to come true."
I unfortunately don't have experience with G-10 (yet<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>) (Shame on me), but I just prefer SS because of its looks. Someone else will pick FRN, while having strength and durability in mind.
But those are BOTH SPYDIES!
Shiden-Kaj
"Fear causes hesitation, hesitation causes your worst fears to come true."
- vampyrewolf
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FRN is an awesome solution for a lightweight, inexpensive, tough-for-the-price handle material. It is noticeably softer and weaker than something like G-10. Without liners -- which is the way most FRN folders are made -- it's pretty easy to twist and torque the handles. And getting structural failure on FRN is a whole lot easier than the other materials we could choose like aluminum, stainless, etc.
The point is, FRN is an awesome handle material for a particular kind of knife -- and in fact I EDC an FRN knife a lot (the endura, the best knife in its niche!). But, you do get advantages (with the disadvantage of higher price) with higher-end materials, no question.
Joe
The point is, FRN is an awesome handle material for a particular kind of knife -- and in fact I EDC an FRN knife a lot (the endura, the best knife in its niche!). But, you do get advantages (with the disadvantage of higher price) with higher-end materials, no question.
Joe
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