FRN vs. G-10?

[Robert Martin]

What is the main diffance between FRN and G-10? I

[vampyrewolf]

FRN is a plastic sort of thing.
G-10 is a rubber feeling thing.

FRN is fiberglass, added to nylon, to give the nylon added strength.
G-10 is a glass conposite, extremely though material. Resisitant to nearly anything you can throw at it.

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[sal]

Hi Robert. Welcome.

FRN ( Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon) is injection molded.

G10 is an e-glass epoxy composite that is made into sheets and cut out to make a knife.

sal

[Robert Martin]

Is one more durable than the other? Or just a diffent texture?

Edited by - Robert Martin on 6/17/2001 10:24:24 PM

[sam the man..]

Dudes,

IMHO, G-10 is tougher than FRN. Its used in many premium Spyderco knives. Both FRN and G-10 can be coloured for aesthetics. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[The Stare]

A substantial difference, Robert, is price. FRN/Zytel is usually fairly inexpensive. G-10 often adds a great deal to the cost of a knife. Then again, there are some knives with G-10 that do not seem to attach such a high premium to it. All that the traffic will bear in many instances.

G-10 is grippier too, tho if polished, can be just as slick as FRN. Since it can be molded, FRN is used for knife handles without liners. Believe Gerber was the first knife manufacturer to do that with their LST model. I have an LST that I carried for approx. 15 years, and if cleaned up properly, looks about as good as the day I bought it.

I have the new Calypso Jr. Ltwt, w/FRN handle. The pattern on the surface of the handles is easily the best I've ever seen on FRN. I believe the newest Native has the same grip pattern. My older Native, which I recently bought used, has a different pattern.

Stare