What do you think of the blue carbon fiber?

gbelleh · #41

No, it's nothing like peel-ply G-10.

However, the gold line CF on the Szabo (and apparently the new blue line CF on the Domino) has a different texture. It does seem to have a very fine texture applied to the surface, more like peel ply. Rather than the soft quilty texture of the Sage 1.

remnar · #42

jabba359 wrote:The scales on the Sage/Chap 1 are not peel ply. Peel ply has a rougher texture like most G-10s. The Sage/Chap have a CF with a three dimensional weave that make each little square of CF a little bump. I'd describe it as bumpy vs. rough on the peel ply. The bumpy CF is a thin top layer that is laminated on top of a G-10 base.

I believe Spyderco's smooth and peel ply are all 100% CF, not laminated. The twill and gold/blue line CF are laminates.

jabba,

Thanks for the clarification. That was my understanding, but even the dealer that I bought my Chap 1 from called it peel-ply when I asked him.

gbelleh · #43

I think some people believe the CF laminate scales involve some kind of sticker applied to G-10. Maybe that's where they're confusing "peel-ply"? As if someone is peeling off a sticker and slapping it on top of a G-10 scale. :eek:

78lilred · #44

remnar wrote:jabba,

Thanks for the clarification. That was my understanding, but even the dealer that I bought my Chap 1 from called it peel-ply when I asked him.

Dealers are confused at times, it happens as is lots of listings on the internet in general. Peel-ply cf is only done at the Golden factory.

damonh · #45

I like the blue cf much better than the original domino scales. I'm dreaming, but i'd love to see a FFG Endura or Caly 3.5 with these g10/blue cf scales.

Knutty · #46

Can someone please explain to this idiot what the physical difference is between the "carbon fiber laminate" scale of the original Domino, as compared to the blue carbon fiber scale on the newer iteration? Is the "laminate" version thinner? Is it not one solid piece of CF? Is there a quality or functional difference? Please explain it to me as you would to a 10-year-old. :)

jabba359 · #47

Knutty wrote:Can someone please explain to this idiot what the physical difference is between the "carbon fiber laminate" scale of the original Domino, as compared to the blue carbon fiber scale on the newer iteration? Is the "laminate" version thinner? Is it not one solid piece of CF? Is there a quality or functional difference? Please explain it to me as you would to a 10-year-old. :)

They are both laminates, not solid CF. The lower layers are G-10, while the CF layers are laminated on top. In the case of the original Domino, they laminated a thin sheet of cubic check CF on top of the G-10. The blue version has a thin sheet of the blue and wire CF laminated on as the top layer instead. There is no functional difference that I can see between the laminates and solid CF scales I have (other than surface texture). I don't have the Domino to check, but I'd guess that any thickness difference between the two would be negligible.

I actually prefer the laminated "twill" CF found on the Sage, Chapparal, Gayle Bradley, Terzuola slipit, and Navaja over the solid CF scales on any of my other Spydercos. The texture and appearance of the twill CF is superior IMO.

Knutty · #48

Thanks much, jabba359. I just ordered a Domino (of the original type, C172CFTIP) from Jeff at CutleryShoppe.com. :)

kro-bar · #49

I think the blue CF actually looks nicer in person than it did in the pictures, it has a nice feel to it too. I was going to get a Domino awhile ago, but now I'm glad I waited.

Knutty · #50

kro-bar wrote:I think the blue CF actually looks nicer in person than it did in the pictures, it has a nice feel to it too. I was going to get a Domino awhile ago, but now I'm glad I waited.

I'm guessing the black CF Domino also looks nicer in person than in pictures. :) And don't they both have the same feel?

remnar · #51

Knutty wrote:I'm guessing the black CF Domino also looks nicer in person than in pictures. :) And don't they both have the same feel?

Nope, they don't have the same feel? They both have some texture, but the "black" CF feels a little smoother. I think I very slightly prefer the feel of the "black" over the blue, but I really prefer the color and pattern of the blue. It's all about personal preference.

kro-bar · #52

Knutty wrote:I'm guessing the black CF Domino also looks nicer in person than in pictures. :) And don't they both have the same feel?

Quite possibly, but I really like the blue pattern... and I can always get a black one too

jabba359 · #53

I don't really want a Domino (I know, I'm weird :p ), but that blue CF is so tempting. Wish the Sage 3 got that treatment instead of the cubic check.

remnar · #54

I finally got around to taking pics. Enjoy :)

3rdGenRigger · #55

Mine just made it through limbo...I mean customs *cough cough*. There is a remote chance it'll be at the post office when I drive home, but I'll likely have to wait another day or two. That last close up picture of the blue weave is making this wait seem intolerable lol.

rodloos · #56

3rdGenRigger wrote:Mine just made it through limbo...I mean customs *cough cough*. There is a remote chance it'll be at the post office when I drive home, but I'll likely have to wait another day or two. That last close up picture of the blue weave is making this wait seem intolerable lol.

I think you'll enjoy it, it is even better looking in person than in the photos. I hope Spyderco uses this material on some other models in the future. I am very happy with the variety of handle materials they offer us.

Hope you didn't have to pay too much tax to get it through customs?

3rdGenRigger · #57

Yeah not bad...got hosed more by the devaluation of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar. It's been basically worth the same over the last while, but lost about 8 cents over the weeks preceding my pre-ordering of this knife. That alone probably cost me $20 extra, and with shipping it'll be closer to $250 if not slightly more. Still worth it though IMO...I just checked and it appears to be in holding at my local post office so the chances of me receiving it today just went up drastically.

ohcyclist · #58

Mine showed up last week and while I have not made it back onto the forum since then I have carried it just about every day. As others have mentioned the scale material looks better in person than in photos. I really like the texture. It is a bit more grippy then the CF on the Gayle Bradley but not as rough as the G10 found on the Para 2.

I have converted mine to tip down carry and have really enjoying it. Feels like a classic spyderco in so many ways, yet with the flipper. Could not be happier.

3rdGenRigger · #59

Comparison shot with my Chaparral. More photos once my Nikon is charged, but not before unfortunately.