Spyderco Forums

I was looking over some material specs the other day and noticed something odd about the G-10 we all know and love. It has a temperature rating that could cause some problems. The high range is fine, but the given low range was only to 0ºF. Under normal conditions this would be fine, and where I live, it would be rare to have a problem, but there are places/situations that would call for a material, such as G-11, with a lower temperature rating. For example, I used to live in Indiana, and it was not an uncommon thing to see temperatures well below 0º there in the winter when I was camping. According to what I was reading, the G-10 could cause me problems if I left my knife sitting on a table or laying about in a situation like that. I don't know if it becomes dimensionally unstable or if it becomes brittle, but neither of those would be a good thing to have happen if I was in need of my knife and it was at a very low temperature.



This concerns me slightly as I almost always recommend a knife with G-10 scales to use in winter conditions to my friends as the metal handles really can cause problems when that cold.



So I guess my question is, why doesn't G-11, or a similar material, get more use?

I couldn't find any exact pricing on G-11, but I believe G-11 is far more expensive than G-10.

As for what happens to G-10 in low temp, I could stick a piece of G-10 I have outside, but the temp is only dropping to low teens here in Massachusetts tonight.

Hajie

Hojo, I think the only time problems that could occur with G-10 would be in sub-zero temps. Grantid this isn't a common thing, so it wouldn't be a good idea on all models, it might be a nice option to add to a couple of them. I also don't know if the temperature affects it dimensionally or if it makes it brittle or what, but you would probably have to directly observe it to find out.

The question we need answered then is "What happens to G10 in subzero(F) temps?"

Until then, there is no way to judge the problem if there is one.

Carlos,
Thanks for stating that a bit more clearly for me. Sorry, been going on little sleep and too much studying all week<img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Tique. I would have to question where you got your information. We have had success with G10 at temps far below 0 degrees F.

sal

http://www.mcmastercarr.com/

From their site:
"Grade G-10/FR4 Garolite: Continuous-woven glass fabric laminate..."
"...For use indoors. Temperature range is 0° to 284°F."

Thanx Tique. We're going to do our own testing.

sal

Sal,

Sounds good, you know I will trust whatever decision you come up as you have a good bit more experience at this than I do<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
It has probably already proven itself in these conditions, but that just bothered me that night when I saw it so I thought I would ask.

Tique. We'll begin at 70 below (liquid nitrogen) and go up from there if 70 is too cold.

I have personally used a G10 Military in 15 below with no problems.

sal

Nothing like empirical evidence to silence any doubts. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

I wonder if this performance obsession of ours is going to get us commited. When I went to buy a pen I couldn't settle for a regular Space Pen which can operate from -30F to +300F, I insisted upon getting the NASA Astronaut-issue pen which has an operating range of -50F to +400F!

Edited by - Carlos on 2/17/2001 8:53:39 PM

Hey Carlos. When products are designed, engineered and built to provide reliable performance, they can be expected and relied upon to do that (more so than a product designed for appearance). IMO.

sal

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the temperature range rating for micarta is?

Hi´2nd.amnd.
I do not know the the answer to that q, but i´ve used micartascaled knives at -40 celcius whitout any problems in Greenland.Looking forward to the test results, sal!

Hi´2nd.amnd.
I do not know the the answer to that q, but i´ve used micartascaled knives at -40 celcius whitout any problems in Greenland.Looking forward to the test results, sal!