Now this is just my opinion but I've been carrying the Native I picked up at Wal Mart all day long and I sure miss my stretch... the steel and kraton juxtapose nicely.. I know some people despise the Kraton but the SS and Kraton together just feel great in my hand. I was initally turned off by the feel of FRN and almost ruled out spyderco because it felt cheap in my hands. I don't think I will buy anymore FRN handled blades.. having said all that I still think 40 bucks for steel like this is a good deal but the knife does feels weak in my hands and I am afraid I am going to break it.. how strong is this stuff anyway?
The upside is that I'm going to get a SS Native ASAP.
I love my Stretch.
Ss > Frn
I personally prefer unlined FRN scales. It is super-light and very strong. Plus, spyderco really was a pioneer in FRN and light weight "glock-like" knives. Polymer Perfection.
Now, I do like Spyderco's Stainless steel handles as well. Spyderco's first models were offered in SS scales only (the worker, co-pilot, Police, Mariner, etc.).
In my opinion, each handle material has it's place in a collection. For EDC, I prefer FRN for grip and lightness. (I carry several spydercos at once). If I'm carrying a Spyderco IWB, I prefer SS because it is slim.
-Mike
Now, I do like Spyderco's Stainless steel handles as well. Spyderco's first models were offered in SS scales only (the worker, co-pilot, Police, Mariner, etc.).
In my opinion, each handle material has it's place in a collection. For EDC, I prefer FRN for grip and lightness. (I carry several spydercos at once). If I'm carrying a Spyderco IWB, I prefer SS because it is slim.
-Mike
"Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily we reflect upon them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me." -Immanuel Kant
"I do not worry about what will happen; only what needs to be done". -Lucious Hunt, "The Village"
"I do not worry about what will happen; only what needs to be done". -Lucious Hunt, "The Village"
You are making me want the stretch even more.
From my experience, FRN is very strong. It will flex a little bit, but it takes a great amout of force to break it. Even the cheap unlined plastic (not FRN) handled folder I used to have withstood a lot of abuse before finally pulling the lockbar pin through the thin spot in the back of the handle.
But yes, I love my SS spydies.
From my experience, FRN is very strong. It will flex a little bit, but it takes a great amout of force to break it. Even the cheap unlined plastic (not FRN) handled folder I used to have withstood a lot of abuse before finally pulling the lockbar pin through the thin spot in the back of the handle.
But yes, I love my SS spydies.
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Andre V
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- Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
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I prefer knives with steel/ Ti liners. I own many FRN knives and have not really had any problems. I think i am just being a knife snob.
The stretch is one of my favourite :spyder: i just dont carry it anymore. I cant stand the krayton inlay. IMO its one of the best all round :spyder: ever made, I think if Sal maybe had a different inlay it would find a permanent place in my pocket.
The stretch is one of my favourite :spyder: i just dont carry it anymore. I cant stand the krayton inlay. IMO its one of the best all round :spyder: ever made, I think if Sal maybe had a different inlay it would find a permanent place in my pocket.
"So many knives, so little pockets"
*avatar courtesy of DIALEX*
*avatar courtesy of DIALEX*
i used to not care for FRN too much... until i started carrying it.
there are thousands of different kinds of "plastics" -- all with different properties, like steel. unfortunately, there's so much junk in our lives made of junky plastics... hence plastic's perception as something cheap.
but FRN, however, is plastic of a VERY different kind. fiberglass-reinforced nylon. i've carried FRN knives in america and africa for 2-3 years now, and most of the scales look as good as new, in spite of some extremely, extremely hard abuse. after a few months, an FRN knife will still look pretty much good as new whereas an SS knife will be covered in user scratches...
there are thousands of different kinds of "plastics" -- all with different properties, like steel. unfortunately, there's so much junk in our lives made of junky plastics... hence plastic's perception as something cheap.
but FRN, however, is plastic of a VERY different kind. fiberglass-reinforced nylon. i've carried FRN knives in america and africa for 2-3 years now, and most of the scales look as good as new, in spite of some extremely, extremely hard abuse. after a few months, an FRN knife will still look pretty much good as new whereas an SS knife will be covered in user scratches...
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dialex
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I think each material has its place. Currently, most of my time I carry an SS folder, but for a few years, a FRN Delica was my very and trusty EDC.
As for the FRN resistance, I wouldn't worry. Someone here tested the lateral flex resistance of a FRN Native (pretty much like yours, but the older stuff with a CPM-440V blade) and ended by breaking the blade :eek: Note that we are talking about unlined FRN and a 3 mm thick S60V blade! Also, at the abused spydies I see, blades are (usually) loking worse than the handles.
As for the FRN resistance, I wouldn't worry. Someone here tested the lateral flex resistance of a FRN Native (pretty much like yours, but the older stuff with a CPM-440V blade) and ended by breaking the blade :eek: Note that we are talking about unlined FRN and a 3 mm thick S60V blade! Also, at the abused spydies I see, blades are (usually) loking worse than the handles.
The mind commands the body and it obeys. The mind orders itself and meets resistance.
Personally I think FRN is a great material and for the most part better then SS.
It's lighter, it's plenty strong (I can also testify that it will outlast the blade), it has better grip and I personally think that for the most part it's slim enough for pocket carry.
That said, SS has its advantages; it's much stronger should you ever need it, it looks nicer and friendlier and in a few models it's really thin making the model wonderful to carry (AKA Cricket :D ).
Get a D4 and you'll have both steel and FRN :cool:
It's lighter, it's plenty strong (I can also testify that it will outlast the blade), it has better grip and I personally think that for the most part it's slim enough for pocket carry.
That said, SS has its advantages; it's much stronger should you ever need it, it looks nicer and friendlier and in a few models it's really thin making the model wonderful to carry (AKA Cricket :D ).
Get a D4 and you'll have both steel and FRN :cool:
Although I'm no fan of FRN, I have had knives over the years with FRN handles and have NEVER had a problem. I think it is a material you can trust in most situations. As for me, SS is okay but I like G10.
:)
:)
If you carry either a knife or firearm, please abide by the law and be respectful. We all represent each other.
Let's unite to preserve and expand our legal rights. Please join:
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:)
Let's unite to preserve and expand our legal rights. Please join:
KnifeRights (http://www.kniferights.org) and NRA (http://www.nra.org)
:)
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The Mastiff
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- Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:53 am
- Location: raleigh nc
I've never had a FRN handled knife give me trouble. I have one from 1990 (endura)that I still carry occasionally. It was my only /preferred carry knife for years and was used hard. It, or one of my other FRN enduras is always with me though I have most any spyder available to carry when needed. Joe
"A Mastiff is to a dog what a Lion is to a housecat. He stands alone and all others sink before him. His courage does not exceed temper and generosity, and in attachment he equals the kindest of his race" Cynographia Britannic 1800
"Unless you're the lead dog the view is pretty much gonna stay the same!"
"Unless you're the lead dog the view is pretty much gonna stay the same!"
I'm liking the FRN more and more.. I left the Stretch at home again so that says something. When holding the knife the way it was designed to be held it feels solid enough... my 6 yr old thinks it's a spider man knife and spiderman is the coolest superhero ever.
I really should not have compared the FRN Native to the Stretch. I'm looking forward to owning the SS Native.
I really should not have compared the FRN Native to the Stretch. I'm looking forward to owning the SS Native.
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